Here are some useful web site guides that list farmers' markets by province or region:
Canada-wide:
Cross-Canada guide to farmer's markets - This Homemakers.com guide has picked the editor's favorite farmers' markets by province. Each guide includes information on where the market is located, it's opening hours, and what type of products/produce are sold in each season. Here the guides are organized by province: AB - BC - MB - NB - NL - NS - ON - PEI - QC - SK
This online editorial guide provides a list of Canada's best farmers' markets by provinces.
Alberta:
The Alberta Farmers' Market Association - This site lists Alberta's farmers' markets by region.
2008 Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets - The Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has produced this great map of all approved Alberta farmers' markets. The map includes details such as the name of the market, opening hours and further contact information.
British Columbia:
The BC Association of Farmers' Markets: This site includes a directory of all of BC's certified farmers' markets. Also, here's a 2-page PDF document entitled 2008 Member Markets, which has a complete list of BC's markets.
Manitoba:
Manitoba Farmers' Market Guide 2008 - This Government of Manitoba web site includes a list of farmers' markets across the province in a printable pdf format.
Farmers' Markets Association of Manitoba - Lists farmers markets by region.
Ontario:
Farmers' Markets Ontario - This web site includes an extensive list of farmers' markets across the province. They are organized into four geographic zones: north, east, south and west.
New Brunswick:
Farmers Markets (New Brunswick Tourism) - This site includes a comprehensive list of farmers' markets.
Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotia Farmers' Markets Cooperative Nova Scotia - This organization is a cooperative which joins 10 independent farmers' markets across the province. It also provides a list of markets not part of the cooperative.
Quebec:
Quebec's official tourist site - This site lists 13 farmers' markets in Montreal and Quebec City.
Corporation de gestion des marchés publics de Montréal (French & English) - This city-owned corporation manages Montreal's public markets, which include the Jean-Talon Market, the Atwater Market, the Maisonneuve Market, and the Lachine Market. Details of each of these markets are included on their web site.
Association des marchés publics du Québec (French) - This association was formed in 2005. Unfortunately, this web site doesn't provide a comprehensive list of markets across the province. I'll be in contact with the association to find out if I can get hold of a list.
Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan Farmers' Market - Scroll down the page for a list of certified farmers' markets in Saskatchewan.
Farmers' market info - Here's some useful information posted by the Saskatchewan government.
Prince Edward Island:
Fresh produce directory 2008 - This government site provides information about farmers markets, as well as certified organic products, agritourism, and fresh produce by season.
12.6.08
History
The following text is an exert from a paper I wrote:
The farmers market was brought over to North America from Europe by the first immigrants in the 17th century (Sanderson et al. 2005). Up until the middle of the 20th century the local farmers’ market, often centrally located, was the main avenue for North American town and city dwellers to purchase fresh food. As such it was the vocal point of urban commerce.
In the middle to end of the 20th century the use of markets went into significant decline, and many were closed, abandoned or redeveloped for other purposes (Sanderson et al. 2005). In their place people began to shop at large supermarkets owned by conglomerates. The decline of markets went hand in hand with the suburbanization of mid-sized North American cities. According to Filion & Hammond (2006, p.51) “low public transit use, easy agglomeration-wide automobile accessibility and an absence of large core area concentrations of workers, residents and visitors have all contributed to the advanced suburbanization of mid-size urban areas.” Another important factor is the increase in food retailing competition from the private sector. Farmers markets were unable to compete with the new retailers. Further, with the private sector operating food distribution at a profit, it became hard for cities to justify the expenditure of subsidizing market facilities. These trends led to a significant decline in the proportion of food bought from the local markets.
In the last 20 years farmers markets have made a significant comeback. Many towns and cities across North America have refurbished existing markets, reconstructed old ones, or built entirely new complexes. In the United States, for example, there was a 65% increase in markets from 1,755 in 1994 to 2,863 in 2000. In Alberta, for example, the number of provincially registered markets grew sevenfold from 16 in 1974 to 115 by 1998. (Sanderson et al. 2005) Consumer’s heightened concern with the quality of food and the social experience of attending the busy marketplace are two of the key factors leading to a renewal of interest. In addition, in many cities the construction of these markets are seen as a key tool in downtown revitalization (Gratz & Mintz 1998). This is owing to their ability to attract both people and new commercial development to city centres.
The farmers market was brought over to North America from Europe by the first immigrants in the 17th century (Sanderson et al. 2005). Up until the middle of the 20th century the local farmers’ market, often centrally located, was the main avenue for North American town and city dwellers to purchase fresh food. As such it was the vocal point of urban commerce.
In the middle to end of the 20th century the use of markets went into significant decline, and many were closed, abandoned or redeveloped for other purposes (Sanderson et al. 2005). In their place people began to shop at large supermarkets owned by conglomerates. The decline of markets went hand in hand with the suburbanization of mid-sized North American cities. According to Filion & Hammond (2006, p.51) “low public transit use, easy agglomeration-wide automobile accessibility and an absence of large core area concentrations of workers, residents and visitors have all contributed to the advanced suburbanization of mid-size urban areas.” Another important factor is the increase in food retailing competition from the private sector. Farmers markets were unable to compete with the new retailers. Further, with the private sector operating food distribution at a profit, it became hard for cities to justify the expenditure of subsidizing market facilities. These trends led to a significant decline in the proportion of food bought from the local markets.
In the last 20 years farmers markets have made a significant comeback. Many towns and cities across North America have refurbished existing markets, reconstructed old ones, or built entirely new complexes. In the United States, for example, there was a 65% increase in markets from 1,755 in 1994 to 2,863 in 2000. In Alberta, for example, the number of provincially registered markets grew sevenfold from 16 in 1974 to 115 by 1998. (Sanderson et al. 2005) Consumer’s heightened concern with the quality of food and the social experience of attending the busy marketplace are two of the key factors leading to a renewal of interest. In addition, in many cities the construction of these markets are seen as a key tool in downtown revitalization (Gratz & Mintz 1998). This is owing to their ability to attract both people and new commercial development to city centres.
11.6.08
About this blog
Welcome! The purpose of this blog is to share with you relevant research and information I come across about farmers' markets in Canada. This blog includes:
Useful links:
To help you locate farmers’ markets in Canada!
Journal articles:
A comprehensive list of peer-reviewed journal articles looking at farmers' markets from a Canadian/North American perspective.
Miscellaneous:
The history of farmers' markets, comments and photos of markets I visit, facts and figures, and any other farmers' market related information.
Useful links:
To help you locate farmers’ markets in Canada!
Journal articles:
A comprehensive list of peer-reviewed journal articles looking at farmers' markets from a Canadian/North American perspective.
Miscellaneous:
The history of farmers' markets, comments and photos of markets I visit, facts and figures, and any other farmers' market related information.
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