I’ve mentioned before that Grant and I buy all of our meat, and lots of our produce, from a local farmer’s market. Why? The animals were raised free-range, antibiotic free and often the meat is organic. The produce is fresh, and the money goes right to the farmers. It does cost more than the conventional grocery store version, but to me, it’s worth it.
The Calgary Farmer’s Market is an indoor market open year round. It is usually open Fri-Sun, but as they are closed for the holidays, until after New Years, they are open mid-week this week for Fresh-mas! I went yesterday to stock up a little for the next few weeks.
And to take some pictures 
The Cucumber Man, while closed yesterday, has excellent cucumbers and bell peppers. In December. Madness!
Innisfail Growers – reasonably priced beef. Excellent potatoes! (And in the summer, awesome peas. I don’t even like peas, and I wanted to stock up on these! Next year.)
I didn’t stop for a crepe yesterday, but I’ve had them here before. Banana and Nutella. Enough said.
Grazin Acres. The least expensive ethical chicken around – it’s not organic, but it’s free-range. I got some reasonably priced pork chops here too.
Speaking of free-range pork, Spragg’s has the best bacon around. I got our Christmas ham from Spragg’s too!
Blush Lane had organic eggs on sale. I couldn’t resist, even though I already had eggs at home. I forsee a lot of omlettes in the next few weeks 
You may notice the pineapples. They don’t grow in Canada. You can get pretty much any fruit or vegetable at this Farmer’s Market, but I prefer to get the local-ish (I count British Columbia as local. I’d get scurvy if I tried to eat only Alberta fruit) varieties here, and the tropical varieties at the regular grocery store. In this case, the farmer’s market extra-cost isn’t worth it, to me.
I think Bison are cool. I didn’t buy any yesterday though – we have lots of beef in the freezer.
I’ve mentioned Missing Link on the blog often – excellent chicken sausage! In many, many flavours. (The three-peppercorn is my favourite!)
Lastly, I couldn’t resist buying Maple a few stocking stuffers. She would have known if I hadn’t.
Do you have a Farmer’s Market close by? Do you shop at it?
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
That place looks SO NICE. The farmers markets we have are little tables set up outside. I wish we had this.
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That place looks great! I don’t have anything like that near me. We have all outdoor farmers markets.
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That place looks amazing! I wish we had an indoors farmer’s market here. Such a great idea:)
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wow im so jealous! they have nothing like this around me and i end up having to travel 30 minutes to get to one! thanks for sharing, I feel like I could spend my whole day in a place like that!
happy holidays!
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What a beautiful farmer’s market! Makes me want to go to Calgary!
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When I used to live in Calgary I used to shop there all the time!! Also at Chongos? (I think) it’s the one on blackfoot trail. That place was fantastic and because I bought so much I usually got a 10-15% discount. I miss that place like crazy!! So much yummy freshness!!
Thanks for sharing, brought back a lot of shopping memories!!
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That looks like heaven! We have a small indoor produce market and Earthfare, both of which stock organic, local options, but nothing to this level. Lucky girl!
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I love going to the Farmer’s market! Beats going to coop almost any day.
Merry Christmas to both you and Grant! I hope you have a wonderful day!
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that place looks AWESOME! I want one near me!! local food is the best, so fresh and seriously tastes 10 times better!
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I am so jealous!!! This is the most amazing market I have ever seen….I wish I lived closer because I would be there everyday!
Happy Holidays!
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Love how your indoor market has a home! I love our winter farmer’s market, and am very glad to have one that goes all winter, but it’s in the vestibule of the local theater and doesn’t look as cool as yours! Yours reminds me of Marche Atwater in Montreal!
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I want to LIVE in that place!
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