While not immune to inflation, prices tend to be more consistent at farmers markets, said food price expert Sylvain Charlebois: “They’re more relevant than ever.”
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As food costs surge in B.C., more people are shopping at farmers markets, where prices have remained more consistent, experts say.
An economic impact study released Wednesday shows the value of direct sales at B.C. farmers markets rose 28 per cent over the last decade, from $121 million in 2012 to $155 million in 2023 (with the 2012 data adjusted for inflation).
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More shoppers, more markets and more vendors led to a record year by various measures, said Heather O’Hara, executive director of the B.C. Association of Farmers Markets.
While not the only reason for the uptick, “prices have been very consistent, and even lower on many items” at farmers markets, she said.
That’s because local farmers usually set their prices at the start of the season based on input costs, like seed or fuel. Transportation costs are minimal, while global market conditions play a more limited role. When drought or flooding impacts B.C. crops, customers can understand how that affects pricing.
“When people buy from a farmer in their community, they are more likely to respect the challenges they face,” said O’Hara.
That understanding goes both ways, with farmers trying to supply healthy food at a fair price to communities where they have a stake.
“They’re not necessarily interested in volume and better margins,” she said. “The goal of a conventional mass grocer is different than the goal of a farmers market.”
While there’s less transparency around food pricing by grocery chains, companies typically look for high-volume producers to bring down prices. But both food prices and retail profits have risen in recent years, with retail profits more than doubling since pre-COVID-19 norms, according to a report by the Centre for Future Work.
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B.C. food prices, which include both groceries and restaurants, rose 4.4 per cent between January 2023 and 2024, according to B.C. Statistics’ recent Consumer Price Index report. The previous year, food prices rose almost 10 per cent.
While food price inflation is beginning to stabilize, we’re not “out of the woods yet,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab in Nova Scotia.
“Farmers markets are not immune to food price inflation, but they’re not impacted as much as traditional distribution channels,” he said. “I think they’re more relevant than ever.”
Chilliwack organic farmer Lindsey Forstbauer said she’s felt the sting of inflation on her farm. Egg and beef production have been impacted the most as the cost of feed, labour and processing have risen. Vegetables and fruit have fared better.
“Our crop production is not as dependent on outside influences since we don’t need to purchase fertilizer or herbicides,” she said.
Forstbauer Farm, which does most of its sales at farmers markets in Vancouver and the Tri-Cities, has tried not to pass costs on to consumers.
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“We’re making no profit on our eggs any more.”
The farm prides itself on organic vegetable prices that are “on par” with imported organic produce on grocery store shelves.
“There’s still a perception that farmers markets are more expensive, or more of a niche market, and that can be true … but I feel the cost at the market reflects the true cost of production,” said Forstbauer.
O’Hara said interest in farmers markets has grown over the last decade as British Columbians have become more interested in buying local, sustainable food, and knowing where it comes from. The pandemic strengthened support for local markets, while introducing some people to them for the first time.
She would like to see local and regional governments recognize the enormous benefits farmers markets bring to people and communities. Many are run by volunteers and non-profit groups.
“Going to a farmers market is joyful, fun, communal and neighbourly,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
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