Where to buy beautiful produce on a budget in Kitsilano
Vancouverites are lucky to be surrounded by a bounty of fresh produce year round, whether sourced locally or flown in from afar. As a student or working young person, however, it’s easy and tempting to spend too much on these staple grocery items. From produce stands to small grocers, here is a list of the best places in Kitsilano to buy fresh fruits and vegetables without blowing your whole paycheque.
Persia Food Products Inc
2827 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G6From everyday staples to unique ingredients, Persia Foods has a range of super reasonably priced fresh produce and dry goods. Lemons and limes are often incredibly cheap, though of course, prices fluctuate according to market. Look for their seasonally rotating stock of uncommon ingredients, like fresh turmeric root, quinces and dates. Bonus: they also sell dairy products (including an impressive selection of feta cheese), spices and pantry goods, making this a great one-stop grocery shop for weeknight dinners.
Kitsilano Natural Foods Ltd
2200 York Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1C6The best shallots I’ve been able to find consistently are at Kitsilano Natural Foods, which is something I find to be hit and miss at a lot of other grocers. They always sell gorgeous squashes and gourds, crisp sprouted beans and legumes, and beautiful green beans. You’ll find lots of lovely local produce (both organic and not), a thorough bulk and dry goods selection, and a full range of Asian groceries.
New Apple Market
2856 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G7As the name may suggest, this place has great apples, but fruit in general is their strength. New Apple is bright, a little more spacious than a lot of produce stands, and always stocked with an inviting display of fresh produce that spills over onto the sidewalk. They also have lovely fresh-cut flowers.
Top 10 Produce
4536 10th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6R 2J1This is another produce stand where you are first greeted by a veritable cornucopia of crisp, colourful fruits and vegetables just outside the entrance; it’s hard to resist piling your arms full of plump, crimson tomatoes before you even make it inside. Top Ten is another great local spot for Asian groceries and other pantry goods, as well as some nice cheeses, spices, and preserves.
Kin's Farm Market
4516 10th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6R 2J1Kin’s Farm Market is a little pricier than some of the other fruit-and-vegetable shops in Kitsilano, but it’s definitely worth a visit for the high quality produce and their focus on seasonal ingredients. Shop here for beautiful fresh herbs and greens, as well as summer fruits like berries and cherries.
Dunbar Produce
4355 Dunbar St, Vancouver, BC V6S 2G2While technically impinging more on the Kerrisdale side of the neighbourhood, Dunbar Produce is just close enough to the Kitsilano region that I feel it deserves inclusion on this list – besides, Dunbar is sort of a no-man’s-land anyways. A lovely array of fresh staples – as well as some more unique fruits and vegetables like purple yams, fiddleheads and micro-greens – await you at this local shop. You’ll also find a wonderful Asian grocery section with plenty of exciting ingredients.
The Produce Co
2951 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G9One of the higher-end grocers on this list, The Produce Co. is the place to go if you like your vegetables organic and your produce stand aesthetically pleasing. That being said, the prices still aren’t absurd and the quality is more than worth it.
