Share |

Love Local: A Guide to Calgary Neighbourhood Markets

Since our son came on the scene last year, my husband and I have become morning people.  To call it morning is a ridiculous understatement as we often drag ourselves from the clutches of sleep well before sunrise.  Still, we try to look on the bright side and imagine all the wonderful activities we can pack into a single day, starting with a trip to the market.  Spring is upon us, and the months of May and June will have all our favourite farmers’ markets reopening for the new season.  Green things are growing, friends, and a whole world of local freshness awaits.

We have always felt the irresistible folksy charm of a farmers’ market and revel in the wholesome nature of the experience.  The festive atmosphere pulls us into the present tense, where we peruse the stalls, chat idly with local vendors, taste their many offerings and still tick off the items on our shopping list.  This kind of shopping isn’t a chore, and we come away with a renewed sense of community, and, perhaps on a whim, a jar of Saskatoon berry jam. 

Kids, in particular, love trips to the market.   Here they can learn valuable lessons about where our food comes from, and the path it takes from field to table.  As the summer progresses, kids can taste all the fruits and veggies in the prime of the growing season, and even learn how to assess their quality and ripeness.  This is the perfect opportunity to involve your kids in meal planning.  And perhaps with a new appreciation for food they will think twice before turning up their noses! 

For parents who have decided to make their own baby food, the market is the best place to buy fresh produce for steaming and pureeing homemade baby food.  Fruits and vegetables produced locally don’t travel as far, and needn’t be harvested before they have fully matured and ripened.  With locally grown produce, customers also have the benefit of interacting with farmers and asking questions about their practices.  We can develop personal relationships with our growers, based on trust, confidence and traceability: a rare thing in our present day global economy.

The season is just beginning but we were delighted by the variety of foods on offer at the Trinity Bellwoods market open day in Toronto.  Some of the offerings included foraged fiddleheads, wild leeks, morels, young nettle leaves, and a variety of fresh herbs.  For a treat we indulged in a slice of freshly baked 'Red Devil' cake made with beets for moisture and cocoa for flavour.  Stroller pushers turned out in droves with their equally enthusiastic kids, sampling everything from honey sticks and sheep's milk ricotta to raw food energy bars and cherry cider.  My son was snapped by the photographer of The Village Gleaner, licking his sticky fingers with a satisfied grin.  This will definitely become a weekly ritual this summer!

So, all you early birds, get your bikes tuned up, hitch up the baby trailer and take the family on an urban odyssey in search of the freshest fruits and veggies, quality meats, artisan cheeses, and nutritious whole grain breads.  If you’re anything like us, you probably won’t even have to set your alarm clocks. 

The following is a list of our local recommendations.  Drop me a line and share your favourite market experiences! 

Calgary Farmers’ Market
Location:  Hangar 6, 4421 Quesnay Wood Dr. SW
Hours:  9am to 5pm Friday & Saturday, 9am to 4pm Sunday
Description:  This popular market is open year round and features an eclectic mix of vendors offering fresh produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, crafts, furniture, designer foods, beauty products, and much more.

Crossroads Market
Location:  1235 26th Ave. SE
Hours:  9am to 5pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday (Outdoor Farmers’ Market open from June to October)
Description:  This market boasts a huge indoor and outdoor space in the historic Canadian Packers Building.  The indoor market is open year round and features antiques and crafts. The outdoor market offers farm fresh local products in the summer months. 

Millarville Farmers’ Market
Location:  Millarville Racetrack
Hours:  8:30am to 12pm Saturdays, from June until September
Description:  This market offers fresh garden produce, fabulous prepared foods and unique crafts, and is accompanied by live entertainment.

Blackfoot Farmers’ Market
Location:  5600 11th St. SE
Hours:  8am to 5pm Friday & Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday, from July 1st until September 31st. 
Description:  At this delightful market, purchase locally grown, farm-fresh produce right from the farmers.   There is also a petting zoo and playground for the kiddies.  The market is only open through the summer months but you can pick up bedding plants from May 1st. 
 

-- Sarah Simpson

posted 05.12.08