At Remitly we want to make settling into a new country as easy as possible for you. If you’re a newcomer to Canada, one of the first things you’ll notice about Canadian culture is how tied to the environment it is—Canada’s economy, for example, is strongly supported by industries like agriculture and fishing.
A great way to experience Canada’s culture is to visit a farmers’ market or to participate in one yourself as a vendor. From access to seasonal products to supporting the local economy, here’s everything you need to know about farmers’ markets in Canada.
What is a farmers’ market?
In general, a farmers’ market is a place where local farmers and growers sell their products directly to the public. This means that all the middlemen associated with food production are cut out. A local farmer grows a product like vegetables, picks them, drives to the farmers’ market and then sells directly to you.
The joy of a farmers’ market is that what you eat at dinner tonight could have been harvested just this morning. As we as a society become more focused on health, wellness, environmentalism, and sustainability, farmers’ markets continue to grow in popularity. Given the size of Canada and a strong tradition of direct selling among farmers, it’s no surprise that there are about 4,000 farmers’ markets across the country.
History and evolution
Farmers’ markets have been places of business since ancient times. Some of the first farmers’ markets took place in Egypt around 5,000 years ago when people sold their wares to travellers sailing down the Nile River.
In the 1600s, farmers’ markets found their way to North America. Although farmers’ markets have traditionally focused on fresh food products, like fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, the offering at many of them has grown beyond just farm products. You can find street food, baked goods, artisanal products, and even art at modern farmers’ markets.
Key features and characteristics
Farmers’ markets are usually held in large, outdoor spaces, though sometimes a market can take place indoors if there’s a large enough space available. The markets are usually not managed by any specific company; instead, vendors register or sign up to participate in the market.
They might pay a fee to claim a certain square-footage of the market where they can set up their stalls, tents, or tables and display their products.
In general, farmers’ markets will feature these types of products:
- Fresh local produce;
- Sustainable dairy products and eggs;
- Farm-raised meat and processed meat products;
- Local honey;
- Locally grown or foraged mushrooms;
- Artisanal baked goods;
- Jams, chutneys, and preserves;
- Local fish and seafood, in coastal areas.
The benefits of farmers’ markets
Whenever you eat something, it’s important to think about the environmental cost of growing the food as well as transporting it to you. You might also think of the impact of the food you eat or how the humans who produced it had to work in order to get it onto your plate.
Farmer’s markets play an important role in minimizing the carbon footprint of food through things like reduced packaging use and much lower food miles.
Supporting local economy
So much of the food available for purchase at grocery stores is not produced locally. One of the biggest issues with this is the effort required to transport food from where it’s produced to the supermarket or grocery store shelves.
Think about eating a strawberry in the middle of winter in Alberta, Canada. Years ago, this wouldn’t even be possible, because the cold temperatures would make growing a strawberry impossible. However, these days, that strawberry could come from South America, parts of Africa, or even Australia. Although this provides you with a tasty treat, it means that the price you pay for the strawberry supports the global economy, not the local economy.
Farmers’ markets provide an excellent alternative to grocery stores. By shopping at farmers’ markets, you can ensure that the food and products you’re purchasing are produced locally. This means your dollars will feed back into the local economy and support the farmers closest to your neighbourhood.
Eating seasonally and sustainably
Aside from the economic benefits of supporting farmers’ markets, there are also health and wellness implications and sustainability impacts.
- Shopping from small, local farms supports the environment
Large farming operations often grow one crop only. This trend for large-scale, monocrop agriculture is bad for the soil. It also often involves the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Smaller, local farming operations are gentler on the environment.
- Eating seasonally is great for your health
If your diet shifts with the seasons, you’ll be eating more varied fresh foods. This also means you’re getting a wider range of nutrients.
- Buying loose fruit and veg requires less plastic
You’ll notice that people at farmers’ markets usually bring their own reusable bags and containers because many of the products are not sold pre-packaged. This minimizes the amount of plastic, styrofoam, and other man-made materials used in the transaction.
- Fresh, local, and organic is the opposite of junk food
Farmers markets are filled with whole foods that are healthy for you and your family. By shopping at a farmers’ market you’ll avoid the temptation of processed foods and junk foods.
Creating consumer-producer connections
These days, shopping at a farmers’ market goes well beyond food. A farmers’ market is a great place for socializing as well. Unlike grocery stores, the products and vendors at farmers’ markets change frequently, often on a weekly basis. You’ll have a variety of new things to choose from all the time, some of which you’ll never see in the supermarkets.
It can be great fun to see all of the different products on display and meet the people who produce them. Talking with farmers not only provides you insight into your food, but also into a different way of life.
Shopping at a farmers’ market means that the money you spend on food goes directly into the hands of the people producing it. This supports producers by allowing them to avoid distributors who might take a cut of the profit.
The connection you have with the sellers at farmers’ markets also provides them with useful consumer information so that they can better meet your needs.
Exploring your local farmers’ markets
Are you ready to jump in and experience a farmers’ market for yourself? Keep in mind that farmers’ markets usually happen on specific days of the week. Often, they only happen once or twice a month. Here are some resources to find farmers’ markets near you.
Finding farmers’ markets near you
Canadian Farmers’ Markets is a coalition of different voices from the farmers’ market sector. They support the local food systems and the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of communities across Canada. So they’re a great resource to start with if you’re looking for a local farmers’ market.
Here are some of their regional member organizations:
- British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets
- Alberta Farmers’ Market Association
- Direct Farm Manitoba
- Farmers’ Markets Ontario
- Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
The BC Farmers’ Market Trail
If you’re new to Canada and have decided to settle in British Columbia, the BC Farmers’ Market Trail is a great resource. This is a database to find fresh, local, in-season food.
You can use the search function to find a farmers’ market based on location, season, opening days or times, or features. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use the Tasting Passport to track your visits to different farmers’ markets throughout British Columbia. This program and its smartphone app help you explore other farmers’ markets through visits and official tours, too.
Unique farmers’ market experiences
Farmers markets are often places where you’ll find community gatherings and live events:
- Food tastings from new and featured local producers.
- Live music.
- Activities for kids and families, like farm animal petting zoos.
- Themed food events, highlighting a specific local delicacy.
- Cooking demonstrations.
Becoming a vendor at a farmers’ market
It’s one thing to be a customer at a farmers’ market. It’s a whole different experience to be a vendor. If you’re ready to bring your produce, flowers, handmade goods, or artisanal products to a farmers’ market, here’s what you need to know to be a vendor.
Requirements and licensing
Most farmers’ markets have their own website which provides information about becoming a vendor. In general, you’ll qualify as a vendor at a farmers’ market if you sell fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh animal products, preserves, homemade food products, or handmade craft or hobby products.
If you sell food products, you’ll have to have a licence. In Canada, these can differ by province but it is usually a FoodSafe or MarketSafe Certificate. Depending on what products you’re selling, you might need to provide an authorization from Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or lab test certification.
Cooked or prepared food products might have to meet specific labelling requirements. Ask the organizer of your farmers’ market what licences, certificates, and requirements you need to comply with to be a vendor.
Each farmers’ market will have its own application or registration process for vendors. This usually includes agreeing to a code of conduct, filling out an application form, and paying a fee. You can find examples of the vendor application process on most farmers’ market websites.
Top five reasons to be a farmers’ market vendor
If you’re a farmer, grower, producer, artist, chef, or baker, there are tons of benefits to becoming a vendor at a farmers’ market. Here are our top five:
- Take home 100% of your hard-earned profit
By selling directly to your customers, you’ll take home 100% of your profit. You don’t have to pay distributors or sellers to get your products into customers’ hands. Farmers’ markets present an opportunity for you to maximize your income from your produce. - Create personal connections with your customers
At farmers’ markets, you’ll get to meet your customers face to face. This can be inspirational for you—it’s great to get positive feedback from people who enjoy what you’re producing—and it also creates a positive culture around food production.
- Keep your business small
You can avoid upscaling by selling at farmers’ markets. This can allow you to farm a variety of different crops and keep your business exciting and dynamic.
- Optimize your business strategy
There’s a reason they call it “market research.” At the farmers’ market, you’ll be able to keep an eye on what sells and what doesn’t, so you can adjust your production supply to the local demand.
- Create a community with other vendors
You’ll have an opportunity to meet and form friendships with other vendors. This is a great way to share experiences and expertise.
The biggest farmers’ market in Canada
At the last count, nearly 26,000 farms in Canada said they sell goods directly to consumers. This shows just how high the demand is for farm-fresh goods in Canada. Canadian consumers want to avoid grocery stores and buy their food products directly from farms and vendors, where they can.
Though there are so many of them, one farmers’ market takes home the crown as the biggest, most popular market in Canada. That’s the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market in Ontario.
Overview and significance
The St. Jacobs Market District is located about an hour-and-a-half west of Toronto in Ontario. It’s a year-round market open on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus ten Tuesdays in the summer months. The market has been in operation since 1975 and attracts an incredible one million visitors every year.
Over 100 local farmers and vendors sell products like meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, preserves, and more. There are also vendors who sell prepared foods for you to eat on the spot.
The vendors at the market change on a weekly basis, so even if you’ve been before, it’s a good idea to arrive early and scope out what’s available.
Features and attractions
The St. Jacobs Market District is an amazing opportunity to enjoy local food. Aside from food, you can also explore handmade or specialty goods, like jewellery, blown glass, and bath products. You can also rummage through different antiques at around 100 different dealers’ stalls.
If you’re someone who cares about what you eat and where it comes from, you can take a tour of the market. This will include cultural and historical information about the market, as well as some food samplings.
The St. Jacobs Market District is more than just a farmers’ market. It’s a community gathering space where you can learn, engage, and explore. There are plenty of events hosted by the St. Jacobs Market District for the whole family.
St. Jacobs may be the biggest and best-known in Canada, but wherever you are in the country you’re likely to find a farmers’ market near you. Get exploring and enjoy!
FAQs
What items are most profitable to sell at the farmers’ market?
That depends on where you’re selling and who your customer is. However, some of the more popular and high-profit products are fresh flowers, spice mixes and blends, specialty or handmade soaps, artisanal baked goods, and seasonal or holiday products.
Do you need a licence to sell at a farmers’ market in Canada?
Yes. Any food that’s manufactured, processed, treated, preserved, graded, packaged, or labelled for sale at a farmers’ market has to be done by someone with a licence.
What’s Canada’s biggest farmers’ market?
The St. Jacobs Market in Ontario is the largest farmers’ market in Canada. It’s open year-round and attracts over one million customers each year.