Featuring many local artisans who create unique items like candles, jewelry, woodwork, signs, bath bombs, skincare, flowers, paintings and so much more, Callingwood Farmers Market in Edmonton is just full of goodness.
Fresh and fun, there are so many amazing and healthy options at the market.
We LOVE Farmer’s Markets. There is nothing better than being able to enjoy all the amazing local produce, meet the people growing your food, and finding unique gifts from people in your community. When you buy from a vendor at the market you know where your dollars are going. Plus we promise each vendor does a little happy dance with each purchase. We have written multiple posts declaring our love like this one and we also have a great recipe using the freshest market ingredients here.
One of our favourite markets to visit is Callingwood Farmer’s Market who is celebrating 35 years this year making it one of the longest running markets in Edmonton.
August is halfway done which means Farmers Markets (and maybe even your own garden!) are bursting with fresh, delicious produce. But what should you do with all these veggies once you bring them home? We’ve made the easiest salad using all market ingredients with a dressing so easy we guarantee you already have everything you need in your pantry. Not only is this recipe easy, it keeps in the fridge for a while making it the perfect make-ahead meal for BBQ’s, work lunches, and picnics in the park.
I’ll be working full time so I’ll be squeezing every last drop out of my Alberta summer weekends. Here’s what I’m most excited to experience this summer in Alberta.
Is there anything better than packing up your wheels, stopping for snacks and hitting the open road? Yes, yes there is. It’s called re-living your childhood. One of my earliest memories is playing cards in my grandparents motor home, road trekking through Alberta, to the States into Mexico. Hanging out, while you watch the landscape race by. Snacking, gaming, talking, stopping at random road side attractions – the journey more important than the destination. The in-laws bought a small motor home and they’re letting us borrow it – squeee!
I grew up on a farm in North Eastern Alberta. I could, literally, walk 10 ft and pick a strawberry off a plant. I remember when it was time to pick raspberries I would grumble because it was going to take hours, we had rows upon rows of raspberries bushes to pick through. I’d reward myself by eating every third one until Baba caught me.
I recall hilling potatoes for hours too, our garden was massive. The taste of a carrot picked right out of the ground, scrubbed off with only my hands, pure heaven.
When I moved to the city, store produce tasted different to me, not bad, just not the same. I discovered local farmers markets a couple years before my kids were born and I was hooked, so naturally, when they came into my life they started coming with me.
The kids get very excited when I say we are going to the market on the weekend, and truth be told, I do too.
I know first hand the hard work that goes into those tables packed with fresh veggies and fruit. My kids, they taste the difference too, my son always asking to get mini carrots, or the coloured ones you can find sometimes because he says they taste so good.
I can only imagine the toil of baking hundreds of cookies, bread, and other baked goodies, so naturally, we grab some sweet stuff too.
The handmade soaps, jewelry, cheeses, tzatziki (personal fave), furniture, clothing, you name it. And you know it was all made with love because the person right there, selling it, can tell you all about it.
There’s usually something fun for the kids to do, the whole atmosphere of the market, and the unique things you just can’t find anywhere else make it a sweet way to spend some family time.
Extra bonus? I know anytime I buy anything, It’s supporting local business, and often, Alberta farmers just like my parents.
If you’d like to explore a local Alberta farmers market this year, you can find one near you via www.albertafarmersmarket.com
