Launch of Parksville Sunday Farmers Market
A new Parksville Farmers Market is creating a vibrant weekly gathering place where residents and visitors can access fresh, locally grown food, while supporting farmers, small-scale producers and food entrepreneurs in the Oceanside community.
The Parksville Downtown Farmers Market is creating new opportunities for local farmers, food producers, and small-scale growers while bringing more activity to a downtown community space and strengthening the local food economy. (Image by Dan LaRocque)
Overview
Launched in May 2026, the food-focused market runs Sundays from May to October at the McMillan Arts Centre and MAC Community Garden. The market has the capacity to bring together 10 to 15 farm and food producers offering local produce, baked goods, and small-batch processed foods.
The market is designed to create opportunities for producers of all sizes. In addition to established farmers and food businesses, smaller growers who may not have the capacity to operate their own market stall will be able to sell through a consignment model operated by the PQB Fruit Tree Foundation. By lowering the barriers to participation, the model will create new revenue opportunities for micro-producers and the potential to upscale.
The project includes equipment for the market, improvements to the community garden and site accessibility, a website and wayfinding signage, and a permanent pergola and outdoor kitchen. A food service cart will also operate as a social enterprise, generating revenue for the Foundation while supporting food-service outreach to vulnerable community members.
The Trust is investing in the project through the Community Placemaking funding program under the Food Security and Agrifood priority area.
The Parksville Farmers Market will strengthen the local food system by launching a new marketplace for farmers and food producers, creating employment and volunteer opportunities, and establishing a community gathering place for residents and visitors to connect with farmers, nature, and each other.
Project Details
Project Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.
Economic Prosperity
- $42,000 in new investment in the Oceanside/Nanaimo region
- Five new and 10 expanded businesses
- Two new and two expanded social enterprises
- Six new partnerships, including with community organizations, businesses, food producers, and social service agencies
Cultural Vitality
- Enhances a public space for markets, events, workshops, and cultural participation