Fresh local fruit and vegetables are always a favourite for many of the regular shoppers at the Penticton Farmers’ Market. The market is a weekly staple for many in Penticton, running on Saturdays from April 18 to October 31. From Spring to Fall, the locals are always on the hunt for fresh produce.

Cherries, peaches, and apples tend to be the more popular fruits in the Okanagan and are commonly found at the market, and everyone has a preference.

Penticton Farmer’s Market brings weekly fresh fruit and summer harvests | iNFOnews.ca — A vendor selling apples at the Penticton Farmers’ Market

Did you know there are 16 different types of cherries in the Okanagan? The Okanagan has the largest production of sweet cherries in Canada, and many tourists take advantage of this by making sure to grab them while they’re here. Many cherries are harvested from June into late August. Different elevations and seasonal weather conditions will have an impact on their harvest. Many larger-scale cherry farms will use helicopters to blow moisture off their cherries after a large rainfall to ensure the quality of their fruit doesn’t get damaged in the summer heat.

Peaches are another favourite in the Okanagan, with 29 different types found in the Okanagan and usually harvested in July right through until mid-September. It’s common in the southern Okanagan that they’re harvested a little earlier, as temperatures can be a bit warmer closer to Oliver and Osoyoos.

Apples are very popular in the Okanagan and also a very large part of the Okanagan’s tourism. From cider to apple juice, many can’t resist biting into a nice crisp apple. There are 25 different types of apples commonly grown in the Okanagan. BC produces between 91,000 and 100,000 tonnes annually, which is about 30% of the apples grown in Canada.

Besides fruit, there’s plenty of other great finds at the Farmers’ Market like farm-fresh eggs, vegetables, honey and baked goods.

Not hungry? There are plenty of vendors selling handmade clothing, art, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, and even furniture.

There is plenty of live music each week, and it has been growing steadily with 90+ vendors. It has recently been announced that 10,000 people pass through each Saturday.