By the May long-weekend, a majority of seasonal farmers’ markets throughout the province will open, giving Albertans a healthy, head start to the summer.
With the trend toward healthy eating and the rising popularity of local diets, farmers’ markets are more popular than ever. An important part of the province’s growing alternative-agriculture sector, Alberta has more than 115 approved farmers’ markets, including 18 year-round, which offer a variety of high-quality, locally-produced items.
Farmers’ markets offer consumers the opportunity to directly meet the producers and learn how products are made, baked, or grown.
More than 3,000 vendors offer a variety of products at Alberta’s farmers’[ markets including:
• vegetables of different varieties
• locally grown fruit, meat (fresh or frozen)
• eggs
• honey
• bedding plants
• fresh flowers
• baking
• processed food products
• artisan products
• one-of-a-kind crafts
All approved farmers’ markets display the Sunny Girl logo, indicating at least 80 per cent of the vendors produce their products within Alberta.
The Ponoka Farmers’ Market is held Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ponoka Curling Rink.
For more information on locations of farmers’ markets visit www.sunnygirl.ca.