Alberta's farmers' markets

Do you remember that small sweet strawberry from your childhood -- the way the flavour burst in your mouth? Recapture that intense flavour by visiting a local farmer's market, where "fresh" means locally grown and produced.

A virtual sampling of farmers' markets in Alberta
Calgary Farmers' Market
www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca
Located in the former Currie Barracks (Hangar 7) in southwest Calgary, the Calgary Farmer's Market also includes foods and products from British Columbia.

You'll find organic options here from Blush Lane, Hoven Farms Organic Foods and Lund's Organic Farm, as well as produce and goods from area Hutterite farms.

Check out bison products such as sausage and jerky from Valta Bison Farms, elk from Wapiti Ways, and locally produced cheese from Sylvan Star Cheese. Take home a loaf of fresh bread from the Rustic Sourdough Bakery Ltd. or a strawberry rhubarb pie from Simple Simon Pies. My personal favourite: an Italian hot dog (garlic butter, bruschetta, sharp asiago cheese, and sweet, fresh basil) from Le Chien Chaud and a decadent strawberry shortcake cupcake from The Buttercream Bake Shoppe.

Old Strathcona Farmer's Market/Edmonton
www.osfm.ca
With more than 130 regular vendors, the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market pulls in an average of 10,000 shoppers every Saturday. Located on the east side of 103rd Street and 83rd Avenue, this farmer's market pushes a "you make it, you bake it, you grow it, you sell it" mandate. Vendors include Four Whistle Farms (try the lamb merquez sausage), and Menno's Sausage (Mennonite sausage, German sausage).

Stop for a take-home focaccia pizza from Bella Crusta or samosas and vegetable roti from Lipsmackers.

More links to Alberta farmers' markets
Strathmore Farmer's Market
www.strathmorefarmersmarket.ca

Lethbridge Exhibition Farmer's Market
www.exhibitionpark.ca

Find a farmer's market in your area:
Under the Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program, Alberta Agriculture and Food administers a "make it, bake it, grow it" system, encouraging customer access to locally produced foods and crafts. For an interactive map of approved Alberta farmer's markets, click here.

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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