The Daily Meal, a popular food and drink website, has ranked the Vancouver Farmers Market as the top farmers market in Washington state and 11th best in the country.
For the past two years, the website has recognized the nation’s best farmers markets in its list of the 101 Best Farmers Markets in America. However, new to this year’s ranking criteria was an emphasis on local producers. Online reviews and accolades received were also considered.
“We think it is important that farmers markets make the most of what their region has to offer and support local farmers instead of shipping in items from larger producers,” wrote The Daily Meal. “Some markets even require vendors selling prepared food to only use ingredients they grew themselves, and their devotion to sustainability was taken into account when we made this list. We think it is important that farmers markets make the most of what their region has to offer and support local farmers instead of shipping in items from larger producers.”
In placing the Vancouver Farmers Market at #11 overall, the site said:
“It’s ‘sweeter than a cake made out of pie,’ one local says, and there’s plenty of cake and pie at the Vancouver Farmers Market. It’s also where you’ll find locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, smoked meats, gluten-free waffle and brownie mixes, organic wine, and fish and chips, as well as one-of-a-kind handmade crafts like garden art, handmade pens, and superhero capes for kids.”
Just across the river, the farmers market at Portland State University received a #2 overall ranking. Pike Place Market in Seattle, which was number #1 overall on the list last year, is absent entirely this year due to the changes in ranking criteria.
“Although it (Pike Place Market) is a wonderful market, only a small portion of it can really qualify as a farmers market, so we took it out of the running,” the website explained. “We added some wonderful smaller markets that might not have been considered previously…”
The full list can be viewed here.
