Freshest farmers’ markets in Edmonton
If you don’t live on a farm, the next best thing is trolling farmers’ markets for fresh produce, organic fruit and killer cinnamon buns. Despite its sometimes too-brief summers, Edmonton has great farmers’ markets, spread throughout the city and the surrounding areas. A visit to any of the spots on this list will never disappoint. [Image credit: iStock.com/upheaval]
Sherwood Park Farmers' Market
20 Festival Way, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4Y1When I simply can’t wait until the weekend to get my farmers’ market fix, I drive the 20 minutes to Sherwood Park for their Wednesday evening market (sometimes a girl just needs fresh veggies. And doughnuts. But mostly veggies). Held at the community centre from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., this farmers’ market is small (about 70 vendors) but still has plenty of interesting items, including locally-grown meat, crafts and plants. The market is year-round, with vendors moving indoors in September until it warms up.
124 Street & Area
202-10715 124 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H2Forget happy hour – this farmers’ market is taking over Thursday evenings. Running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday in summer (weather permitting), this market is the perfect post-work activity. The market, which opened May 12, relocated to 102 Avenue between 123 and 124 Street for 2016. There is always a plethora of food trucks and vendors selling everything from awesome snacks and produce to jewellery and bespoke bow ties.
Mother's Market
10251 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1N2This three-day-a-week, indoor farmers’ market opened in 2014 inside the downtown building previously occupied by Mother Music. While shopping at a farmers’ market on a Friday or Sunday still feels like a luxury, I suspect it may eventually become the standard to match (fingers crossed!). This market emphasizes the importance of farm-to-table and encourages customers to talk with the farmers selling their wares.
St Albert & District Chamber Of Commerce
71 St Albert Trail, St. Albert, AB T8N 6L5This outdoor farmers’ market has been taking over St. Albert every summer for more than 30 years. It runs from mid-June to mid-October, and takes place in the Perron District. Everything here is locally home-baked, home-grown and home-made — no exceptions. You’ll find everything from pickles and preserves to jewelry and stained glass work. About 250 vendors and thousands of visitors are at the market every Saturday during the summer months, so it’s always a hectic, fun scene.
Old Strathcona Farmers Market
10310 83 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5C3This year-round, indoor farmers’ market is older than I am. It’s grown from about 10 stalls in 1983 to more than 130 vendors in its current state. For many Edmontonians, Saturday morning means an early breakfast and shopping at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. Must-visit stalls include Happy Camel (best hummus in the world!) and Theos Greek Kouzina (their melitzano salata is the greatest eggplant dip you’ll ever eat).
South Common Farmers' Market
151 Karl Clark Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6N 1H5A charitable aspect sets this farmers’ market apart from other weekend markets – the vendors and market support charities such as Hope Mission and The Centre for Arts and Music. This outdoor market is conveniently located near South Edmonton Common, meaning it is super easy to stop by the market after doing the rest of your weekend shopping. Operating since 2010, it runs from the end of April to mid-October.
City Market Downtown
Edmonton, AB T5J 0Z9I love me a good farmers’ market and this is one of the best –National Geographic Traveler named it Best Farmers’ Market of 2013. I like to visit between May and mid-October, when its more than 200 vendors take over 104th Street, temporarily closing it to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. This market always signals the start of summer to me., and part of me dies when the stalls move inside into City Hall for winter.
MarketPlace At Callingwood
This summer farmers’ market has been operating for more than three decades at the MarketPlace at Callingwood. They open at the beginning of May each season and stay put until October. You can get your fill of fresh, locally-sourced fruits and veggies, organic meat, homemade treats, plants and crafts on Wednesdays (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). There’s about 130 tables at the Sunday market and 30 to 40 vendors on Wednesdays, with 80 per cent of the vendors offering stuff they’ve grown, baked or made themselves.
My Twitter
My Instagram
