From Field to Plate: 5 Vernon Specialty Stores, Grocers, or Food Trucks that Support Local
By guest blogger, Loretta Friedrich, Your Food Story
Get to know five of Vernon’s field-to-plate grocers, food trucks, and specialty stores. These local gems offer more than just food – they provide a direct connection to the region’s agricultural roots. From bustling food trucks serving up farm-fresh food to quaint specialty stores stocked with locally sourced ingredients and unique products, each establishment embodies a commitment to quality, sustainability, and community. Whether you’re craving a gourmet meal or snack from a mobile kitchen, seeking out special meats or ingredients, or grabbing a “take and bake” meal, Vernon’s field-to-plate offerings promise a delicious journey that celebrates the best of local flavours and supports the livelihoods of our farmers and producers.
1. Crêpe Bistro
Since 2013, Crêpe Bistro food truck has brought a taste of France to the Okanagan with authentic French crêpes, created with a dedication to quality and tradition. With their shared commitment to use fresh seasonal produce in their creations, Cait and Fanny, co-owners and operators, source directly from Vernon Farmers Market food vendors. Each crêpe featured is a beautiful blend of local flavours and crêpe-making talent that reflects the love and care that goes into selecting the finest local ingredients, ensuring that they are a delicious experience at the farmers market (Monday and Thursday, April to October).
Cait and Fanny feel that since they are “part of this wonderful farmers market, it is our responsibility to support our amazing farmers and their hard work by featuring their products on our crêpes and weekly specials.”
We suggest:
- Savoury crêpes featuring seasonal produce like chargrilled corn, roasted sweet peppers, and fresh spinach from ASG produce, Zelaney farms, and Fruit ‘N’ Blooms greenhouse.
- Sweet crêpes featuring in-season fruit like local rhubarb and strawberries from Good ‘N’Plenty and 4 Elements farms, topped with toasted almonds and whipped cream.
Visit Crêpe Bistro
2. Yankee Flats Meats
Driven by their shared passion for bringing responsibly produced farm-to-table food to the community, the McKnight and Keenan families, co-owners and partners, are the heart and soul behind Yankee Flats Meats. Get to know your local farmers by purchasing directly from their Yankee Flats farm store, at the downtown Vernon shop, or during the season at the Salmon Arm Farmers Market. You will find outstanding meats from various farms, farm eggs, egg-based noodles, snacks, and other locally sourced or created goodies. Additionally, for those particularly hectic days, there is a range of ready-to-eat frozen foods available prepared by a local chef.
“We strongly value supporting our local farmers, producers, and makers as it not only supports our community’s health and growth but also ensures a more food-secure future with high-quality, ethically-raised meat from our local Okanagan and Shuswap farmers.” - Lydia McKnight
We suggest:
- Steak: ribeye and tenderloin, beautifully marbled and the best of “prime”!
- Chicken sausage (gluten free, as are all YF sausages): ingredients include nearby farm chicken, and herbs from Pilgrim’s Produce.
- Meals: ready to bake Chicken Shawarma, Pulled Pork Mac ‘n Cheese, and more.
Visit Yankee Flats Meats
3. Swan Lake Market & Garden
For decades, Swan Lake Market & Garden located in northern Vernon has long been a cornerstone of the community, connecting shoppers with the local harvest and providing a diverse selection of fresh food, now from over 50 farms and orchards! The market has expanded since they first opened in 1959 to include local cheese and meat, bakery items, sandwiches and wraps, yogurt parfaits, ice cream, and many other products. To help busy individuals and families the Swan Lake deli and bakery team has also created a selection of complete meals with ingredients sourced locally. Swan Lake believes that “supporting local farmers and producers sustains community jobs, reduces environmental impact, and ensures fresh food while promoting local economic growth. Choosing local products keeps money circulating within the community, helping it thrive.”
We suggest:
- Meals: ready to bake, lasagna, shepherd’s pie, cabbage rolls, chicken souvlaki combo, and more created by the Swan Lake team sourcing ingredients from nearby farmers and producers.
- Salads and bowls: assembled in house using ingredients like local produce, protein(beans, seeds, nuts, cheese, and/or meat), and dressing.
Visit Swan Lake Market & Garden
4. Two Sparrows Pizza
After distance separated Rye Harwood and Sarah Helgason for several years, these two best friends reconnected in the Okanagan and are now united by their love for creating the perfect wood-fired pizza! The co-owners of Two Sparrows food truck blend unique and traditional flavours using the freshest ingredients from nearby farms and gardens. They’re always excited about their next culinary project, and you can find them serving up their delicious creations at various events, markets, and other locations in the Vernon area. They also accept private bookings from mid-April to early October.
“We love our local farmers and suppliers! When we source our ingredients locally, we know we’re maximizing our flavours by getting them fresh and in-season… we value the environmental, social, and economic benefits of recirculating local revenue.” - Sarah and Rye
We suggest:
- Apple Asiago pizza: this combination of cheeses, local onions and apples, bacon or tofu, and a drizzle of pesto using local produce is a fan favourite!
- Seasonal pizzas: asparagus and strawberries from Armstrong Asparagus, Zelaney’s spinach, potatoes, beets, basil, Good ‘N’ Plenty’s herbs and zucchini, and local in-season produce.
Visit Two Sparrows Pizza
5. Kamui Japanese Curry
Claudia – owner, operator, and certified soba chef of Kamui Japanese Curry food truck – was inspired to create Japanese curry from her time living in Hokkaido, Japan, where she learned an ancient Buddhist cuisine that relied on using whatever produce was in season and available. She honours this knowledge with a focus on flavour – from her hand-made spice blends, and the freshest local produce and meat from nearby farms – creating a unique culinary experience to savour in every bite! You’ll find Kamui at various events and locations in the area from spring to fall.
Claudia says that “using products from local farmers and producers not only allows me to support my community but also celebrate the beauty and quality of all that’s around us. The fresher the product the better and more delicious the food that I make is. I am thankful to live in the Okanagan and have access to such incredibly hard-working farmers and producers.”
We suggest:
- Katsu Curry: chicken from Colonial Farms in Armstrong, Rieger eggs, vegetables from Good ‘n’ Plenty, Silverstar Veggies, and Zelaney farms.
- Curry (the rest of them!): featuring gluten-free, non-vegetarian, and vegetarian choices.
