As the warm weather of June takes over many parts of Alberta, so too is the sign that farmers markets are opening for business.
Any community can hold a public market, but provincially approved farmers markets bring more certainty to the consumer.
“Approved farmers markets meet minimum standards set out by the government, one of which is to provide preferential access to Alberta entrepreneurs through the ‘80-20 rule,’ where a minimum of 80 per cent of the products must be produced in Alberta by the vendor,” Eileen Kotowich, farmers market specialist with the provincial government, said in a press release.
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A Sunnygirl logo or other signage will show the market is approved, she added.
“We have more than 145 approved markets, serving 115 communities around the province that are open throughout the summer. This includes 24 markets that operate year-round.”
In 2024, markets reported more than 4.6 million customer visits, with an average of $70 spent per visit. This is the highest number of customers ever reported, increasing by one million customers since 2023.
Early season reports indicate customer traffic continues to be strong as Albertans take advantage of the opportunity to buy local with tariff issues in other countries.
Alberta’s farmers markets offer a diverse selection of goods. At this time of year there are greenhouse bedding plants and vegetables, early-season vegetables, preserves, baking, prepared foods and other year-round products such as meat, eggs, honey and artisan craft products.
“Part of the success of farmers markets is that consumers want to know where their food comes from and to make that connection with the producers,” Kotowich said.
”It gives you a feeling of trust when you can look the producer in the eye and talk to them about how they raise their animals, grow their crops or prepare their ready-to-eat foods. The vendors love to talk about their products, so do not be afraid to ask questions.”
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation introduced a mobile app for both Apple and Android devices in 2016. It allows users to find an Alberta approved farmers market by searching by day of the week or name or type of market.
If markets add special events or change locations or times, that is updated immediately.
Visit Find an Alberta approved farmers’ market to download the app or to view an interactive map of Alberta approved farmers’ markets.
Noteworthy 2024 market information includes:
- Seventy-seven per cent of markets are in rural communities with a population of less than 10,000.
- All Alberta approved farmers markets are non-profit organizations, either sponsored by a non-profit community group or incorporated as a non-profit society or new generation co-operative.
- Seventy-four per cent of approved markets provide tables for local non-profit/community groups to promote their products or services.
- Average table rents in 2024 were $25.64 per market day, with a range of $5 to $85 per market day.
