Farmers’ markets are a great place to pick up fresh, local produce, enjoy live music and help support your community. We reached out to our viewers and did a little research of our own to find some of the best across Canada.
Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market
Location: Fredericton, N.B.
Best known for: Its history, food made to order, and knowledgeable vendors
The Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market in New Brunswick’s capital is 64 years old and features more than 250 suppliers — many of which have been there since the market first opened. Organizers pride themselves on having homemade products made by knowledgeable vendors. “When you buy an item, you can get any questions answered from the person who has produced the product,” coordinator Leslie Morrell told Cityline.ca. The market, open on Saturdays, is also a great spot to have breakfast. “You can see the vendors preparing the food for you — from fresh lobster being shelled, sausage being cooked or mini-donuts being fried,” Morrell said.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
Location: Toronto
Best known for: Certified organic and ecologically produced products, live music and local food
There are so many amazing farmers’ markets in Toronto, and Evergreen Brick Works is one of the best. It’s open year-round on Saturdays and from June to November on Sundays. Plus, unlike some markets, no re-sellers are allowed and there’s only local produce from southern Ontario. “Evergreen — together with southern Ontario farmers, food artisans, chefs and eaters — is building a more sustainable food system for all,” said food programming manager Marina Queirolo. The market also has live music and a food court with seasonal dishes. The market’s main goal? “We believe that [by] promoting family farms and local producers, we can help preserve the health of our cities, the integrity of our environment and the strength of our communities,” Queirolo said.
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Location: Vancouver
Best known for: Food trucks, artisanal alcohol and location in an urban park
This 20-year-old market is on the edge of Trout Lake Park, where you can swim and attend the festivals that come through. It’s no wonder it attracts around 5,000 people a day! Great for lunch, the market has a choice of food trucks and will soon carry local and artisanal beer, wine, and spirits. It also boasts 60-plus farmers, prepared food, handmade crafts and food trucks, said spokeswoman Jen Candela. “Everything at the market is make, bake, grow by the folks who sell it.”
Le marché du vieux-port
Location: Quebec City
Best known for: View of the Louise Basin, local produce and exotic imports
Le marché du vieux-port is in the heart of downtown Quebec City with a view of the Louise Basin. Along the water, vendors line up with seasonal, exotic and imported goods. (Check the website to see when they have a particular fruit, seafood or cheese!) “The real experts are at the market,” said spokeswoman Anne Julie Bouchard. “Come in and let them help you. They are really passionate.” The marché is an excellent place to walk along the water and try local Quebecois delicacies!
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
Location: St. Jacobs, Ont.
Best known for: Canada’s largest year-round market, goods from Old Order Mennonite farms and kids’ activities
After a devastating fire in September 2013 that burned down the main building, the community came together to rebuild the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. The new market barn opened the following summer, and the market was back in full swing, attracting tourists from all over Canada. Vendors supply everything from meats and cheeses to maple syrup and flowers, alongside products brought by horse and buggy from Old Order Mennonite farms. The market is great for kids, with rides, barnyard animals and farm tours via horse-drawn trolley. This market has it all and is a Cityline viewer favourite!
Saskatoon Farmers’ Market
Location: Saskatoon
Best known for: Being open most days, events and a focus on cooking with local foods
The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, making it one of the longest running markets in western Canada! Over time, the market has morphed from a weekly market into one that’s open six days a week (alternating with farmers and merchants). It even has a chef-in-residence, who shows marketgoers how they can use local produce. Events include a salsa cookoff and craft beer festival.
Your top picks:
We also reached out on Twitter and Facebook to find out which markets you visit! Here are some of your responses:
@CitylineCA #DufferinGrove Farmers Market on Thursdays. Great food, and an awesome park for kids. Shopping, and playtime oh my!
— fayemoxam (@fayemoxam) June 19, 2015
@CitylineCA #farmersmarket mine is East Gwillimbury’s Farmers Market…Thursdays from 2 – 7 corner of Yonge + Green Lane
— Faye Boyd (@Celtic_Sage) June 19, 2015
@CitylineCA #farmersmarket every Friday #Oshawa…amazingly delicious fresh fruits, veggies and baked goods #OshawaShoppingCentre #fresh
— Gayle Morris (@Upsetminded) June 19, 2015
@CitylineCA @HamOntMarket Love the Hamilton Farmers’ Market There are over 60 vendors offering local & international products. #hamont
— Alipa Patel (@AlipaPatel) June 19, 2015
@CitylineCA @HamOntMarket #HamOn Our market downtown is excellent w lots of local, organic, family-farmed and baked goods. Best since 1837!
— Kimberly McKibbon (@KimMcKibbon) June 19, 2015
Here’s what you said on Facebook.
- Karen Mueller said: St Jacobs outside of Kitchener. It has everything under the sun, including great Mennonite baking, preserves, meats, crafts, as well as beautiful fresh farm produce in the summer. It’s worth the drive, and makes a wonderful day trip. There’s also the village, and Elmira nearby for alternat shopping and sightseeing.
- Vicki Gray said: I love the Wednesday markets in downtown Peterborough! I can always get red pepper jelly, Crosswind Farms goat cheese, lots of veggies, and fresh wood fired pizza from C’est Chaud Pizza
- Ron Forbes said: We have a nice local one BUT the BEST one is traveling to the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, in Mennonite Country just at the top end of Kitchener-Waterloo. Amazing local and area produce, crafts and everything in between. I think its the atmosphere, and it’s SO good to see it rebuilt and NOW open after that horrific fire two years ago.
- Christy Andrews said: The Salt Spring Island Farmer’s Market because our little Island has the most amazing artisans! After you have been to the market you can drive around the island doing studio tours. Oops I remember one more reason…because Ceri Marsh grew up here. Hi Ceri!
- Kathleen Marie said: The Thursday farmers’ market in Simcoe, on located in Norfolk County, local produce in abundance including#jensencheese, #townsendbutcher,#fiedlersmeats, #burningkilnwinery, the garlic grower who also makes amazing soaps and many more, Also #wholesomepickins located in Delhi, seasonal market with amazing fruit, veg and pies to swoon over! Markets are so amazing! #norfolkcountyontario, #love food. I love to visit markets!