Seasonal foods and farmers' market shopping tips
Shopping in season
May: asparagus, green peppers, lettuce, spinach.
June: asparagus, cherries, beets, carrots, green peppers, lettuce, new potatoes, radishes, spinach.
July: apricots, field tomatoes, blackberries, blueberries, carrots, cherries, green peppers, lettuce, peaches, peas, plums, raspberries, spinach, strawberries, sweet onions.
August: apples, Anjou pears, Bartlett pears, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cherries, corn, melons, nectarines, peaches, peas, plums, peppers (green, yellow, hot & sweet).
September: apples, Anjou pears, Bartlett pears, blueberries, carrots, corn, grapes, melons, plums, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes.
Tips for successful farmers' market shopping:
-Do a little preliminary research by scouting the farmers' market website (if available). What's in season? What products would you like to try? If you do up a weekly menu, plan it around your farmers' market selections.
-Planning on stocking up for the week? Bring something on wheels -- a cart, a duffle bag -- to make light of your work.
-If you're making a day of it, keep a cooler in your car to keep your purchases (especially meats and cheeses) cold.
-Make an initial sweep of the market before you start toting up your purchases and, if it's logistically possible, save your heavy purchases for the end of your market outing.
-Consider bringing your own canvas or plastic bags to store your purchases. It's good for the environment -- one of the crowning mandates of the farmers' market -- and will be sturdier than one-use plastic bags.
-Bring cash! Many farmers' markets vendors don't have the set up for debit or credit cards and don't accept cheques.
-Don't overbuy. It's tempting, but remember the point of visiting the farmer's market is to get fresh food. Instead of overstocking on fruits and vegetables make the trip to a nearby farmer's market part of your regular shopping plan.
Alberta food festivals
The Alberta growing season can be short, so it's worth a festival celebration! Here are some of the food festivals to enjoy this season:
Leduc Strawberry Festival
Come for the fun, food, and live entertainment and don't miss the homemade strawberry shortcake.
Blueberry Festival
Events include a midway, parade, pancake breakfasts, jet boat rides, helicopter tours, kids events, river raft race, dog agility, battle of the bands, fish fry and much more. Don't miss the blueberry pie eating contests.
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