Yes — it’s true… you can get fresh, local produce for a steal of a deal! Don’t believe me? Here’s the price breakdown:
- 4 zucchini = $1 from Walker’s Own (AB & BC produce)
- 4 oranges = $1 from Walker’s Own
- 8 mushrooms = $1.50 from Walker’s Own
- 3 small fennel = $3 from Twin Valley Colony
- 1 bunch green onion = $1 from Twin Valley Colony
- 1 bag of basil = $2.25 from Prairie Farms
Every weekend, I go to the Calgary Farmers’ Market to pick up fresh produce for the week. It’s best to shop in the morning (for the freshest deals) and I always hit up the ‘Deal of the Day’ bin at Walker’s Own (on the right side of the left entrance) and the Cherry Pit (by the right entrance cashier). I’ve found whole pineapples for $2, 3 bunches of asparagus for $1 and bags of 5 peppers for $2, amongst other weekly deals.
The best part about bargain shopping is that it changes with the seasons, meaning that I’ve changed my cooking/eating habits with the seasons. I’ve tried new beet recipes, dehydrated loads of apples and made leech soap. Each week I can happily eat a balanced diet while supporting local farmers and not breaking the bank.
It’s best to use the produce within the week, and keep rotating new fruit and vegetables into the diet.
What are some other tips for smart shopping at Farmers’ Markets?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hopefully, you didn't make "leech soup!"
Maybe LEEK??
It's so awesome that you managed to get all of this beautiful food for such a deal!
I'd like to ask a rambling question, though – How much of the produce you purchased was organic? I try to support the farmer's market, but I always find it so frustrating to find options that are both local and organic. I find myself constantly torn over which is more important in the big picture. Local means fewer foodmiles thus less resources used to get it to my plate, as well as support for local farmers. While organic means a decreased ingestion of toxins and questionable additives, and the hope that these same toxins won't be in the soil/water for the future. It becomes a "chicken or the egg" type question. Support local farms and then they can be persuaded to become organic over time perhaps? Although, there must be organic produce farms already in our area of the world but – why aren't they at the Market?
Sorry for the late response- my comp hasn't seemed to work for the past 2 days! To be totally honest, I'm not sure how much is organic. I know that there are specific 'organic tables' within some of the produce providers, but I'm not as well versed on the organic farmers market options as I should be. I'll investigate more this weekend and get back to you on the farmers market/organic topic.
As for the choice to eat locally or eat organically, I believe that it's a personal choice. For me, it's more important to support the local vendors, reducing the foodmiles, and encouraging local farmers to practice safe and healthy farming techniques. And within my peer group, I try to demonstrate that you can do things like the '100 mile diet' without a major sacrifice and disruption in your life. Doing the right thing doesn't have to be hard!
On the other hand, my sister will only purchase organic produce, as she has a two-year old and wants to avoid putting any toxins into his system… but she rarely visits any local markets! In the supply-and-demand market, will her purchases at Superstore in the organic aisle make more local producers farm organically? I'm not sure.
Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to your chicken/egg question. I think the more important issue we all need to work together on is influencing those who we love about the wonders and health benefits of eating organic, local food!
These are all good points, and I'm totally with you on the notion that we have to do what we can to influence policy makers and be responsible in our choices.
Thanks for the discussion
Hi again! So here's the low-down for organic food at the Farmer's Market. The Blush Lane is solely organic but does import its food. Some of the local (AB/BC produce) vendors do carry organic food, but there isn't a consistent stand/area and there isn't a consistent stock. The best bet is to start your shopping at the Blush Lane (where it's guaranteed organic), and check the labels to see where it was produced. It will often state 'Mexican avacados', or 'BC apples'. It would be great to have a local, organic producer, but that combo has yet to come to the Farmer's Market.
On the other hand, spud.ca does offer local and organic food, which even gets delivered to your door! Perhaps that's a better alternative?