Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Michéle Wood

OPINION

The growing season is heating up in the Interior.

At the Wednesday Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market there are several rows of vendors to choose from for those who can't visit us on Saturdays. From this week forward, there will be a new fruit or vegetable available every week until the fall.

The extreme rain and flooding has created delays for planting and outdoor work in general. As a wild harvester, some of my best creek side foraging locations for greens have been ravaged. On the plus side, edible mushrooms are popping up across the south of the province and this week there is a surplus of tasty and nutrient-rich produce.
On top of the abundance of wild produce available at my stall, there are veggies and herbs of all varieties for sale. Radishes, salad turnips, baby carrots, onion and garlic greens, kale and brassica shoots, spinach, and a myriad of berries are all on their way to the tables of our local producers.

The Kelowna market has the earliest opening day on the first Saturday of April, but in the past few weeks, markets in Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton have also opened for business. There are also small markets on weekdays in smaller communities such as Salmon Arm, Winfield, Summerland, and Peachland. Peachland even has boat access.

In recent years the importance of shopping local is getting more attention. I know in my case support from my regular customers enables me to live a healthier and happier lifestyle than if I had to work in a trade or resource industry, like so many of my generation who have grown up locally but had to move north or east to make a decent living. Every dollar makes a difference so whether you need to restock your crisper or just want to have a midday snack please try to find the time to support your local producers.

Check out my Facebook page Everything Wild to stay up to date on our local foraging scene.

— Scott Moran is a local forager discovering his own path to food freedom.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017