The St. Albert Farmers’ Market opens its 19-week season on Saturday, June 7, and the excitement generated by this festive event is unlike previous years.
“Many people are shopping local, and shopping Canadian in response to what’s happening down south, and that will be a driving force this year,” said Jane Iliott, market manager.
Hosted by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce, the market will feature more than 275 vendors. Since some vendors rent several booths, visitors can expect to weave through 300-plus booths.
As the largest outdoor market in Western Canada, the St. Albert market strives for an abundance of consumer choice.
“We strive to have a balanced market with vendors spread out in different categories. You get a lot of variety, and we have a strict guide. You make it, bake it, or grow it,” Iliott said.
Shoppers can buy everything for their pantry from meat, fish, cheese, desserts, bread and baked goods to ice cream, wines, as well as brewed and distilled drinks. The market also carries clothing, jewelry, personal care items, arts, crafts, home wares, garden decor and hobby items.
Anyone boycotting our southern neighbours need no longer check every tag. Seven fruit and vegetable growers are booked to attend. Kuhlmann’s Greenhouse Gardens, Steve and Dan’s Fruit, Lacombe Fresh, Walker’s Orchards and St. Albert Greenhouse set up stands on June 7. Erdmann’s Gardens and Greenhouse will arrive June 21 and Sturgeon County’s Peas on Earth drops by July 5.
Economic driver
A sunny day can trigger anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 visitors strolling through the site along St. Anne Street, St. Anne Promenade and St. Thomas Street. With such a huge population dropping by during a five-hour window, the market serves as a strong economic driver.
“In 2012, the city paid a consultant to give them information on the dollar amount the market contributes," said Shelly Nichol, chamber executive director. "At that time, it generated $14 million. Over the years, with growth and interest, we speculate it is closer to $20 million.”
As markets have adapted to changing needs and trends through the decades, St. Albert Farmers’ Market has morphed into a brand builder for many vendors.
“The market gives vendors brand exposure and provides the shopper with awareness," Nichol said. "Some vendors move on to the next business level by opening a storefront. Confections Cake Co., Breadlove and ABD Natural Skincare started at the market and now have a storefront, and Blue Kettle Specialty Foods has online shopping.”
Market impact
Nichol is one of the city’s biggest market boosters and is quick to point out its numerous benefits to the community.
“The environmental impact is large if you think about how much of a carbon footprint there is when food travels to a box store. Just the environmental impact for fuel is less, and the quality of food is healthier,” she said.
Although shoppers part with their dollars, vendors also give back. In the last year, across the country and locally, food insecurity for many families has spiked. A little-known fact is that market producers support the St. Albert Food Bank. Last season, the food bank received 20,000 pounds of food courtesy of market producers.
“We collect it at the end of the day and our vendors have been very supportive over the years,” Nichol said.
One of the big attractions is the vibrancy and energy large crowds create. The ambience becomes a social gathering spot for friends enjoying a cup of coffee and treats.
Nichol said the market is also a community builder and emphasizes Market Buds, an educational program for children ages five to 12.
“In this family-centred program, children connect to producers and learn about the local food system, so they don’t think food just shows up at the grocery store.”
Activities such as decorating cookies, colouring and making crafts are held in a tent at Millennium Park from 1-3 p.m.
In addition, every Saturday the market will feature six buskers from a rotation of 16 artists. Visitors can expect to hear and see acts from classical violin and country fiddling to Caribbean tin pan drumming and contemporary folk and jazz.
“We collect a small fee from the buskers and donate it to St. Albert Rotary Music Festival. Last year we donated $1,500.”
Ultimately Nichol describes the market vibe as a very happy place to meet.
“Everybody enjoys themselves," she said. "You are downtown by the river; there are smells, music, vendors and good food. Come down and have fun.”
The market runs every Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is limited, and visitors are encouraged to hop on a shuttle bus at St. Albert Centre. It departs every 20 minutes. The first bus leaves for the market at 9:40 a.m. The last bus leaves the downtown core at 3:20 p.m.
