Outdoor Fireweed Community Market

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June 27th.

The June 24th YTG Covid19 update included the following;

Beginning July 1, the Whitehorse Farmers Market can welcome non-food  vendors (such as artisans and soap and flower sellers). Information  booths will continue to be excluded. In addition, market organizers have  been advised they now have the ability to offer seating and an outdoor  dining experience to the public as long as physical distancing is  maintained. Buskers are also allowed to return to the market beginning July 1. 

download the Updated Regulations

For Vendors, you should be receiving updates by email.

May 22nd.

We will be at Shipyards Park on May 28th with all kinds of wonderful Yukon-produced food! There will be some changes to what you usually see on a Thursday market as we run as an outdoor grocery store shopping experience. See the poster to the left.

May 6th.

We are happy to announce we can operate our market this summer. 

This is a food-only market while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.   Farm produce, baked and prepared goods, meals-to-go.    An online market, to compliment the physical market, will allow customers to purchase and pay for their shopping from participating vendors prior to pick up at Shipyards Park.   Purchases can be made at the market as well.  The online market will also allow customers to connect with our non-food vendors who at this time will not represented at the physical market. 

Further details for vendors and customers will be posted in the next week.

The first market is Thursday May 28th. 

April 24th.

Currently the Yukon is under a state of emergency, enacted March 27th. The Direction and Guidelines for the Delivery of Critical, Essential and Other Services lists markets as an essential service under delivery of food section.

Many other jurisdictions have also deemed farmer’s markets essential services (links 1,2).  This is not business as usual for markets as only food can be offered for sale and social interaction must be limited to maintain physical distancing.

The Fireweed Community Market Society has proposed to our public health authority, an operation of a food-only market based on what we have researched in other areas of the country (link 3).

We would like to operate a food-only market at Shipyards park on Thursdays. It would be a multi-vendor, multi-stand market but also combine the ability for customers to pre-select and pre-purchase products on-line before the market opens (reducing the amount of time customers are in the market).

In a normal year, our outdoor market runs 18 times each Thursday from the middle of May to the beginning of September.  No decisions have been made yet on a starting date as we wait to hear from public health on how best to proceed. 

1. Statement from BC Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham

2. Statement from Ontario Farmers Markets regarding regulations

3. Statement from BC Centre for Disease Control regarding farmers markets

To help us plan for this coming season if you are a food producer please take this short survey.

Experience this market throughout the summer with family and friends in the open air along the beautiful Yukon River. Be carried away by the wonderful aromas, delicious fresh foods, and unique artisans from our approximately 40 weekly vendors. Grab a picnic dinner and get that special gift. Enjoy local live music and other amusements from buskers. Dive into our art and agricultural workshops and demonstrations. What a great way to spend part of your Thursdays!

Every Thursday, 3 - 7 pm

May 28 to September 24, 2020 in Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.

Check out our Events Calendar on the home page for the latest updates.

Check out Our Vendors to see which vendors you may find at the market or to contact for specific information.

1. Read through the Outdoor Market Rules & Guidelines 2020
2. Complete the Membership/ Renewal Registration Form 2020.
3. Complete an Outdoor Market Space Rental Registration Form 2020
   

Buskers follow steps 1 and 2 only. 

Contact us if you are interested in leading a workshop or demonstration at the market in the areas of agriculture and performing, literary and visual arts.

"... the Fireweed Market is a valuable part of our community and plays a definite role in advancing agriculture related endeavors and Yukon made products as well as making our community at large aware of them." C. Hanna, bee workshop leader.

"The market is not only about selling produce but building a local community network that fosters relationship outtside of the market. The faces we see one day at the market become the faces we see in our store the next day." K. Metropolit, Yukon Gardens.

"The Fireweed Community Market ... has been instrumental in ensuring the ongoing success of the Yukon Culinary Festival ... Building awareness of local Artists and Vendors and the high quality of cultural products available in the Yukon will enhance visitors' experiences in the territory. The Outdoor market ... and the 12 Days of Christmas Market ... provide additional attractions in Whitehorse and provide narrative to fuel positive discussions regarding Yukon Arts and Culture." Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon.

"... I believe that these workshops are of great interest to people, and that they do motivate people to not only prepare and grow food for themselves, but to consider whether to do so on a commercial basis." A. Reid, kombucha workshop leader.

"The FCM [market] was in part my introduction to the organic farmers of the territory who have become my Yukon family. I have found it to be a wonderful venue for social connection and a valuable opportunity for connecting people to the food they eat, and those who grow it." K. Melton, Klondike Valley Nursery & fruit trees, wild garden, & food larder workshops leader.

"The first market of the summer represents the beginning of a new year, and an opportunity for growth and development of my skills. The feedback and sales that I receive allow me to cater my artwork and jewelry towards the needs of my customers." L. Melnik, Lara Melnik & quick & nutritious recipes workshop leader.

"The market is not only the main outlet for our farm; it is also the very public face of Yukon agriculture. The market’s food publications, workshops and the presence of so much local produce all contribute to the public conversation – the “buzz” – around the importance of eating local and eating healthy." B. & S. Lendrum, Lendrum Ross Farm.

"... in the summer market we deal with happy customers." G. Katz, The Falafel Guy.

"... one of the most important things that the Fireweed Market society does is bring people together. The Fireweed Market is a unique opportunity for Yukoners and visitors to come together, enjoy some sunshine (hopefully) as well as some locally made goods." S. Hanson, Home Sweet Home Baking and Catering Inc.

"This experience allowed us to refine our products, to connect with new customers, and to find potential customers and other opportunities during the winter months as well. The market has also provided networking opportunities with local vendors. Collaborating with these small businesses has created synergy that is benefitting our new venture." Doron Pollachek, Yukon Healthy Treats.

"... being a part of FCMS inspired me to start up a community market in Mayo. I was able to work with previous board members and vendors to help us plan. We are now a very successful little community market that connects local farmers and producers to community." J. Hogan, The Yukon Soaps Company.

"Wild Things Harvest has existed for a long time. Our exposure from the Fireweed community Market helped us explore new markets and test new products." Y., S., E., & E. Allen, Wild Things Harvest.

"The market has an extensive reach of regulars coming back weekly to stock up on their favourite products. Over the summer months the market sees many tourists as well, coming to see what the excitement is all about and spending time and money on local businesses." L. & P. Brient, Atlin Mountain Coffee Roasters.

"I became a Market vendor in 2016, attracted by the opportunity to sell direct to consumers. I have been continually surprised at how much demand there is for fresh, local produce at the Market." S. Ouellette, Sarah's Harvest.

"We fully believe that the Fireweed Market Society plays a crucial part in the growth of local business in Whitehorse and ... has become a cornerstone in Whitehorse for providing an opportunity for the public to be able to purchase local products." A. Puskas & A. Burrill, Bullet Hole Bagels.

"I found that Yukoners are looking to purchase fresh produce and locally made products. The Fireweed Market seems to be a very good venue through which to supply these products. Every week I sold out of the vegetables I brought, and many weeks, I sold out of preserves." P. Bort, Dusty Trail Yukon.

"Since we joined the society in 2011, we have not missed a single market. This is the bread and butter of our operation, as well as an unbeatable arena to promote, not only our business, but also our passion for a local food network involving farmers, processors and consumers." B. Bounds & K. Mechan, Elemental Farm & soil conditioning workshop leaders.

"The Fireweed Market creates a sense of community between vendors that impacts how they do business. The attitude of “we all succeed together” encourages team work between local business and encourages us to seek success not just for ourselves but for the community as a whole." K. Morrison, Blackbird Bakery. 

"The Fireweed Community markets give vendors a good backbone to start their business. It has an excellent customer base and the regular business hours and location offer a continuity to customers that new businesses might struggle to provide in the beginning." K. Young, Klondike Kettle Corn

"What I enjoy most about offering a workshop is when I see how my encouragement & support leads to the writing of new work that would not have otherwise been written - whether by an established writer or an emerging new voice. It is extremely rewarding, & by providing me with the opportunity, the Fireweed Community Market Society helps me to accomplish this!" K. Munro, haiku workshop leader.

"I loved going to your market while I was staying in Whitehorse. I think you're doing a great job! I wanted to share with you a video about sustainable food access as a community project in partnership with the municipality, a project initiated by a non profit org. in Québec, called EURÊKO ..." Johanne, Montreal.