Making the most of your experience at a Farmers' Market

• Go to the market without a shopping list. Buy what is seasonal, what appeals to you and what is freshest.
  
  
• Look for one-of-a-kind items from variety of producers who make crafts, woodwork, pottery, jewelry and art.
• Bring your curiosity. Ask questions, and be prepared to listen. Growers love what they do, and they love to tell tales from the garden. Ask about what is in season, and how it is grown. The market is fertile ground to cultivate relationships with the people who grow your groceries.
• Take a selective approach. Markets are great spots to investigate heritage and specialized varieties of fruits and vegetables that don't make it onto supermarket shelves. But use some restraint: if you overfill your basket, it won't be fresh by the time you get to it.
• Take cash. ABM's don't exist in most farmers' markets, and most farmers do not take cheques or credit cards.
• Choose your favourite time to shop. The early bird gets the fattest worm, and the freshest produce is available early in the day, so time yourself accordingly.
• Take a market basket or your own grocery bags.
• Take the kids. Most growers are raising families too, and you're never too young to learn about good food from the source. Leave the dog at home: most markets do not allow dogs, and Rover will be too hot waiting in the car.
• Put the cooler and ice packs in the car, to keep your fresh picks fresh.
• Take your time and enjoy the trip. Smell the fruit and the flowers.
• Find your favourite Farmers' Market. There's a farmers' market open and nearly every day of the week. Nearby towns have their own market, often with the same growers and producers who appear at the bigger markets.

Alberta Approved Markets must have 80% of their vendors "Make, Bake or Grow" in Alberta

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                                                         Product of Canada Eh?

It says "Product of Canada" on the package, but the food is really from China. Or New Zealand. Or...

CBC The MarketPlace looks into where our "Canadian" food is really from.

Click Here to Connect to the 25 minute Video.