Local Travel
How to find locally grown food and locally made beer, mead and wine, and connect with local producers
Edmonton
124 GRAND MARKETS
124grandmarket.com
108 Ave, Thursdays, May 15–Oct 9
102 Ave, Sundays, Jun 1–Oct 12
Vendor lists for these markets are updated on the website 1–2 days before opening.
BOUNTIFUL FARMERS MARKET
bountifulmarkets.com
Open Fri, Sat, Sun, year-round
Over 115 mostly local vendors offer fruits, vegetables, baked goods, grass-fed meat, eggs, wine, mead, beer, crafts and plants.
CALLINGWOOD FARMERS MARKET
callingwoodfarmersmarket.com
Sundays, May 4–Oct 12
Wednesdays, Jun 18–Sep 24
Operating for more than 40 years, this is Edmonton’s largest outdoor market.
EDMONTON DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET
edmontondowntown.com/farmersmarket
Saturdays, May 17–Oct 11
This outdoor market allows dogs.
OLD STRATHCONA FARMERS MARKET
osfm.ca
Saturdays, year-round
Visiting this indoor market in a heritage building just off Whyte has been a neighbourhood tradition since 1983.
SOUTH COMMON FARMERS MARKET
southcommonmarket.ca
Weekends, May 10–Oct
Founded in 2008 to build a multicultural community on the city’s south side by supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs.
ST. ALBERT FARMERS MARKET
stalbertfarmersmarket.com
Saturdays, Jun 7–Oct 11
The “largest outdoor farmers market in Canada” has home-baked, homegrown or handmade products and 275 vendors.
URBAN FARMS
Crop-growing areas within city limits and nearby.
EDMONTON URBAN FARM
exploreedmonton.com/edmonton-urban-farm
Closed for 2025, this farm is moving to a permanent location in the Exhibition lands. Usually 300 people annually learn about farming and grow food for their families.
HORSE HILL BERRY FARM
horsehillberryfarm.ca
This female-owned, family-run urban farm with 15 acres of U-pick raspberries in northeast Edmonton opens in July.
PRAIRIE URBAN FARM
prairieurbanfarm.ca
PUF is a one-acre, mixed crop, community food system on the University of Alberta’s South Campus. It has produced an abundance of food since its beginning in 2013, but its founding director, professor Debra Davidson, says its main goal is education. The farm demonstrates ways to grow food in the city in an effort to promote local food security.
RECLAIM ORGANICS
reclaimorganics.com
Ryan Mason grows microgreens year-round and vegetables and flowers in season on an 18-acre certified organic family farm at Pigeon Lake. These are available throughout Edmonton. Reclaim started in Garneau at the St. John’s Institute.
RIVERBEND GARDENS
riverbendcsa.ca
This 120-acre family-run farm on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River grows more than 20 varieties of vegetables sold at farmers markets and in its CSA program. Three generations have stewarded the land.
BEER, MEAD AND WINE
ALE ARCHITECT
alearchitect.com
Mason Pimm and Ryan Stang want creativity, design and engineering to overlap. Their brewery is on “Happy Beer Street” (99th St).
BARR ESTATE WINERY
barr.ca
This winery produces raspberry, rhubarb, rhubarb-strawberry and sour-cherry wine with locally grown fruit in Sherwood Park.
BEAU BELLA WINERY
beaubellawinery.ca
This farm near Beaumont grows a variety of fruits, including Merlot and Shiraz grape varieties, and produces all its wines onsite.
MANUAL LABOUR BEER CO.
manual-labour.ca
This Sherwood Park brewery offers tours, including tastings with a flight of four beers.
OLD STATION HONEY & MEAD
oldstationmead.com
A variety of meads are made with local honey, berries and herbs in New Sarepta outside Edmonton.
CSA OR “BOX” PROGRAMS
A CSA (community supported agriculture) is a community that supports a farm. Members buy a share of the year’s crop in advance and become virtual partners, sharing risk and reward with the farm family. A 12–16-week share typically costs around $450. The farm usually delivers a box of fresh produce every week or two. About 15 farms offer a CSA subscription in Alberta, including Prairie Gardens for Edmonton, Summit Hill Farm for Calgary, The Jungle Farm for Red Deer, and Campbell and Sons Garlic Farm for Lethbridge. For a list of CSAs: albertaopenfarmdays.ca/csa
Calgary
BRIDGELAND-RIVERSIDE FARMERS MARKET
bridgelandfm.ca
Thursdays, Jun 19–Oct 2
Over 30 vendors offering produce, preserves, baked goods, craft beer and more.
CALGARY FARMERS MARKET
calgaryfarmersmarket.ca
Blackfoot Tr & Heritage Dr, Thurs–Sun, year-round
16 Ave & Stoney Tr, Wed–Sun, year-round
Each features 65+ vendors and a food hall.
COCHRANE FARMERS MARKET
cochranefarmersmarket.ca
Saturdays, Jun 7–Oct 4
The Market by the Bow in the SLS Centre parking lot is entering its 27th season.
CRANSTON FARMERS MARKET
cranstonra.ca/cranston-market
Tuesdays, Jun 24–Aug 26
Local vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden set up outside Century Hall.
CROSSROADS MARKET
crossroadsmarket.ca
Fri–Sun, year-round
The market has been home to local food and antique vendors for over 35 years.
DALHOUSIE FARMERS MARKET
dalhousiecalgary.ca/farmers-market
Thursdays, Jun 12–Sep 18
Ready-to-eat and frozen foods, fresh-picked produce and handcrafted goods.
FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET
farmersmakersmarket.ca
Saturdays, May 24–Oct 11
In addition to the vendors, local musicians perform at cSPACE Marda Loop.
HILLHURST SUNNYSIDE FARMERS MARKET
farmersmarket.hsca.ca
Wednesdays, year-round
The indoor season runs Oct–May; the outdoor season runs Jun–Oct.
URBAN FARMS
Crop-growing areas within city limits and nearby.
DEEPWATER FARMS
deepwaterfarms.com
This vertical farm produces baby greens in a controlled indoor environment, allowing for greater retention of flavour and nutrition. Found in grocery stores and restaurants such as Shokunin and Model Milk.
GROW CALGARY
growcalgary.ca
A volunteer-run farm that donates 100 per cent of the food it grows to community fridges, churches, the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter and more.
HIGHFIELD REGENERATIVE FARM
highfieldfarm.ca
This project revitalized a vacant lot into a community growing space. Its recently launched shop features mulch, compost and soil mix, clay and fertilizer.
LAND OF DREAMS
ccisab.ca/land-of-dreams
This initiative helps to welcome newcomer families to Canada while teaching them about local Indigenous history and culture through urban farming and beekeeping.
LIL GREEN URBAN FARM
lilgreenurbanfarm.com
This year-round microgreen project started in one tiny greenhouse and now occupies three backyards. Beets, dill pickles, onions, garlic and edible flowers are also available.
MICRO YYC
microyyc.com
Their Microgreens Club offers 12 weeks of zero-waste home delivery.
ROOT AND REGENERATE URBAN FARMS
bestiescooperativefarm.ca
The no-dig regenerative farming done here promotes soil health. CSA program offered.
BEER, MEAD AND WINE
BREWSMITH BREWING CO.
brewsmithbrewing.ca
Bowness’s first microbrewery. Its taproom is kid and pet-friendly and serves hot dogs.
CHINOOK ARCH MEADERY
chinookhoney.com
These meads created south of Calgary can be found in liquor stores and through Chinook Arch’s new online store.
CITY & COUNTRY
cityandcountrywinery.com
Couple Chris and Karen Fodor own the city’s only urban winery and tasting bar. Grapes from around the globe are used to make Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, rosés and more.
OL’ BEAUTIFUL BREWING CO.
olbeautiful.com
After a fire destroyed their Inglewood taproom, the brewery opened Sound Room, a bar focused around dedicated listening to vinyl records.
VAYCAY BREW CO.
vaycaybrew.co
This brewery partnered with Burwood Distillery to open Veranda at the Stables, a taproom/restaurant at the Currie Barracks.
CRAFT BREWERIES
The province’s craft beer scene has exploded to include over 170 breweries, up from just 13 about a decade ago. The primary catalyst for the exponential growth was a change to the previous rule requiring a production capacity of at least 5,000 hectolitres per year. With more than 40 craft breweries, Calgary has become a destination for beer lovers. Brewery-hopping tours can include Dandy (Calgary’s first small brewery), Eighty-Eight, Born Brewing and Cabin. Edmonton’s “Happy Beer Street” (99 St) has Bent Stick, Sea Change, Omen and Alley Kat.
North & Central
CAMROSE & DISTRICT FARMERS MARKET
camrosefarmersmarket.ca
Duggan Mall, Saturdays, year-round
Established in 1974, this market features homegrown produce, baking and meats.
CAROLINE FARMERS MARKET
facebook.com/carolinemarket
Municipal RV Park, Fridays, May 16–Sep 12
With special markets at Kurt Browning Arena for Valentines Day, Mothers Day, fall harvest and Christmas.
FAIRVIEW FARMERS MARKET
facebook.com/fairviewabfarmersmarket
Legion Hall, Wednesdays, Jul 2–Sep 24
Indoors with additional special markets throughout the rest of the year.
GRANDE PRAIRIE FARMERS MARKET
gpfarmersmarket.ca
Big Red Barn, Fridays, Saturdays, year-round
An indoor market for more than 50 years.
INNISFAIL MARKETS
innisfail.ca/local-markets-growers
Legion, Thursdays, May 8–Sep 25
Market on Main, Tuesdays, May 27–Sep 16
Indoor and outdoor markets.
LACOMBE FARMERS MARKET
lacombefarmersmarket.ca
Michener Park, Thursdays, May 15–Oct 9
With special indoor markets at Lacombe Memorial Centre.
PEACE RIVER
peaceriveragsociety.com
Formerly Peavey Mart store, Saturday, every second week through the year
Special weekly markets at Christmas.
RED DEER DOWNTOWN MARKET
downtownreddeer.com/downtown-reddeer-market
Little Gaetz Ave, Wednesdays, May 21–Oct 1
Upwards of 30 vendors offer local goods, including meat, fresh vegetables and fruit, and handmade items.
U-PICK FARMS
BEAVERLODGE: BROKEN TINE ORCHARD
brokentineorchard.ca
U-pick haskaps, the superfruit for vitamins, fibre and antioxidants. The haskap orchard is on the original cleared land of the homestead of this fourth-generation farm.
BON ACCORD: PRAIRIE GARDENS & ADVENTURES FARM
prairiegardens.org
U-pick apples, strawberries, peas, beans and zucchini on a family farm with corn and sunflower mazes and a playground for kids.
BONNYVILLE: CHARLOTTE LAKE FARMS
charlottelakefarms.ca
U-pick pumpkins and farm-to-table beef from the Bonneau family.
FAIRVIEW: DUNVEGAN MARKET GARDENS
dunveganmarketgardens.ca
U-pick strawberries and raspberries. On the September long weekend is a corn roast with live music and an open-air market.
INNISFAIL: THE CHERRY FARM
facebook.com/the-cherry-farm
U-pick cherries and apples for pies, baking and preserves—and to enjoy right off the tree.
RED DEER: THE JUNGLE FARM
thejunglefarm.com
Established in 1897, this farm has U-pick lettuce, artichokes, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries and saskatoons.
STONY PLAIN: SASKATOON VALLEY ORCHARDS
facebook.com/Saskatoon-Valley-Orchards
Thiessen, Smokie and Northline varieties of saskatoon berries plus sour cherries.
Open daily during harvest season.
SYLVAN LAKE: HIDDEN VALLEY GARDEN
hiddenvalleysylvanlake.com
Besides vegetables and berries, this farm has U-pick herbs such as dill, cilantro, chives, basil and savory, with 16.5 acres open June through October.
BEER, MEAD AND WINE
BROSSEAU: BIRDS & BEES FARMERY
bb1928.com
The Chrapko family farm now produces spirits, wine and mead using raspberries, rhubarb, honey and hemp.
CAMROSE: NORSEMEN BREWING CO.
norsemenbrewing.com
Established in 2010 and offering four mainstay brews and two rotating taps.
FORT MCMURRAY: DRUM BREWING
drumbrewing.ca
Offers “clean and crisp lagers, malt-forward hazy pale ales, hop-infused India pale ales and wheaty hefeweizens.”
GRANDE PRAIRIE: STOLEN HARVEST MEADERY
stolenharvest.com
Gold medal winners at the World Mead Challenge in 2020.
RED DEER: BELLY HOP BREWING
bellyhopbrewing.com
This brewery has small-batch experiments in the test fridge and a little beer library.
RIMBEY: HAWK TAIL BREWERY
hawktailbrewery.com
Local ingredients and small-batch production are their focus. Their taproom offers beer-based cocktails and cheeses.
WATER VALLEY: FALLEN TIMBER MEADERY
fallentimbermeadery.ca
Offers honey sodas, still and sparkling meads, and braggots—a beer and mead mixture.
U-PICK FARMS
U-pick farms open their gates and allow folks into their fields and orchards to pick their own berries, fruits and vegetables. The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association represents direct market growers across the province. On their website (albertafarmfresh.com) you can find a U-pick farm close to where you live. Examples are Creekside Berry Farm and Strawberry Fields near Edmonton and Barrett’s Berries near Calgary.
South
HIGH RIVER FARMERS MARKET
inclusionfoothills.org/markets
Downtown, Thursdays, Jun 19–Sep 11
Operating for more than 35 years, this market has about 35 local vendors.
LETHBRIDGE FARMERS MARKETS
agrifoodhub.ca/farmers-market
Agri-food Centre, Saturdays, Jun 14–Oct 11 Downtown Festival Square, Wednesdays, Jul 2–Aug 27 (outside).
With 150 booths, the Saturday market is the region’s largest.
MEDICINE HAT FARMERS MARKET
mhstampede.com/farmers-market
Cypress Centre, Saturdays, May 17–Oct 4
An indoor market that is a gathering space as much as a venue for locally grown food, with local artists and non-profits on site.
MILLARVILLE FARMERS MARKET
millarvilleracetrack.com/farmers-market
Millarville Race Track, Saturdays, Jun 21–Oct 11
The market has local growers, makers, bakers and artists.
NANTON UNITED CHURCH FARMERS MARKET
visitnanton.com/events
Saturdays, Jun 14–Sep 27
Fresh produce, jams and artisanal products.
PINCHER CREEK FARMERS MARKET
pincherchamber.ca/farmers-market
Cenotaph Park, Wednesdays, Jun 18–Sep 3
Here, seniors meet, kids run lemonade stands, and everyone can buy fresh veggies.
TABER FARMERS MARKET
taber.ca/farmers-market
Confederation Park, Thurs, Jun 19–Sep 11
Taber also hosts Cornfest, Aug 21–23, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with a chili cookoff, skateboard corn-test and show and shine featuring classic cars.
FARMS WITH U-PICK/GATE SALES
BROOKS: ANTELOPE CREEK BERRY FARM
U-pick strawberries in early July, and saskatoons in mid-July, by appointment only.
LETHBRIDGE: BROXBURN VEGETABLES AND CAFÉ
broxburn-vegetables.com
Known for tomatoes, this farm grows pesticide-free produce in its greenhouse and outdoors, including U-pick berries.
MAGRATH: R&S FARMS
facebook.com/UPickFarm
Strawberries, saskatoons, sour cherries, raspberries, squash and snow peas.
MEDICINE HAT: GREEN VALLEY ACRES
instagram.com/greenvalleyacres
This 80-acre farm has an orchard of U-pick saskatoons, chokecherries and raspberries and also sells eggs and poultry (peafowl, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, guinea fowl).
MEDICINE HAT: SLACKS MARKET GARDEN
facebook.com/slacksmarketgarden
Vegetables (zucchini, swiss chard, carrots, beans, beets) and raspberries.
OKOTOKS: THE SASKATOON FARM
saskatoonfarm.com
The Hamers planted every tree and shrub here. The U-pick offers saskatoons, sour cherries, blackcurrants and apples.
PICTURE BUTTE: KEEP DREAMIN’ ACRES
keepdreamin.ca
Farm gate sales of potatoes, pumpkins, rhubarb, asparagus and carrots, seed and eating garlic, plus U-pick strawberries.
PINCHER CREEK: ROOM TO GROW
roomtogrowmarketfarm.com
Greenhouse and garden produce as well as seasonal U-pick saskatoons, raspberries and strawberries.
ROSEMARY: THE GARDEN OF VAN EEDEN
albertafarmfresh.com/the-garden-of-van-ee-den
Beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, onions, peas, squash, strawberries and tomatoes.
BEER, MEAD AND WINE
CROWSNEST PASS: THE PASS BEER CO.
passbeer.ca
A family and pet-friendly microbrewery offering pizza and poutine with their beer.
LETHBRIDGE: SPECTRUM ALE WORKS
spectrumaleworks.com
Their core beers include English Pub ale, Big Juicy hybrid style IPA, Skyfire amber ale and Drifter brown ale.
MEDICINE HAT: HELL’S BASEMENT BREWERY
hellsbasement.com
Open since 2016, this craft brewery offers tours and has a taproom.
MILLARVILLE: SPIRIT HILLS
spirithillswinery.com
Offers flower wines such as Wild Rosy, infused with rosehips and wild rose petals, and Whitetail, infused with violets.
STRATHMORE: FIELD STONE FRUIT WINES
fieldstonefruitwines.com
The first estate winery in Alberta, founded in 2005, uses local berries and rhubarb. They produce 10 types of fruit and dessert wines, including the NorthWest Wine Summit gold- medal-winning Bumble Berry.
2025 OPEN FARM DAYS
On the weekend of August 16 and 17, about 150 Alberta farms will open to visitors. This year’s theme is water.
Participants include Medieval Manor Gardens (north), where water is sourced through rainwater catchment and a well; DNA Gardens (east central), which has a huge lined dugout to collect water; and Coyote Lake Lodge (central), where 42,000 tree seedlings were planted along creeks in 2024 to improve water retention.
Go to albertaopenfarmdays.ca to choose farms and plan your trip.
