Most St. Albert residents know well the gem we have in our summertime farmers’ market. There are other well-attended markets in the capital region – Old Strathcona, downtown on 104 Street, Thursday night Grand Market on 124 Street and Sundays in the French Quarter – but there’s something special about the St. Albert market that brings locals and visitors by the thousands to the city’s downtown every summertime Saturday starting June 11.
More than 250 vendors lining St. Anne and St. Thomas streets make the St. Albert Farmers’ Market the largest outdoor market in Western Canada. Offering home baking, meats and fresh fruit and vegetables, plus artisan jewellery, woodwork, florals and unique crafts from producers throughout central Alberta, the market regularly ranks as one of the city’s top attractions.
Managed by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce, the St. Albert Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from mid-June to Thanksgiving weekend. This year, ongoing downtown construction means the market will change layout slightly, with a number of St. Thomas street vendors setting up in the main parking lot across from St. Albert Place. The change will provide a more varied market visit, according to chamber president Lynda Moffat, and make it all the more important to use the free park and ride service from St. Albert Centre.
“It’s part of the experience, catching the bus from the mall and exploring at the market. We’ve changed and grown through the years but we work hard to keep our position as tops in Western Canada,” said Moffat. Indeed, the farmers’ market generates some $15 million of economic activity yearly, and is a “real part of our culture. We get about 20,000 people visiting every Saturday, and it’s always an experience. Many vendors stay the same from year to year, and week to week, but a lot change too – you can find art work, knitting, baking and whatever fruits and vegetables are ready in the farm fields and gardens.”
Moffat said the city adheres to strict rules for vendors so that the farmers’ market doesn’t become more of a flea market, with a yard-sale vibe.
“It’s a true farmers’ market – the outdoor location in historic Perron District gives it character and the people make it special,” she said.
Eric and Ruby Chen say it’s all about the human interaction – connecting the fruit and vegetable grower with the customer – that makes being a vendor at the market worthwhile. A market staple for more than 30 years with Peas on Earth Organic Garden, Chen started with his dad and now runs the stall in front of city hall with his own family. For him, it’s the loyal customers and meeting fellow producers that keep him coming back year after year.
“We sell what we grow and people appreciate that. It’s important to support the community and key that the market remains a venue for small producers, those of us who sell what we pick, make or grow,” said Chen. “We’re not a shopping mall, but a family-friendly place to talk to bakers and crafters, or for entrepreneurs trying out a new product.”
Fifteen-year market veterans Maureen and Al Obrigewitch say it’s the small town feel that they enjoy at the St. Albert market. Selling their Souptacular mix of dry pulses (peas, beans, lentils) plus a hand-created vegetable-herb dry seasoning, Obrigewitch said Saturdays are like “one big, happy family. We have so many long time customers that we couldn’t NOT come. And market organizers are good to us. They help create a good vibe for us all.”
The quaint and historic downtown transforms each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., going from a commercial district to a unique shopping plaza with musicians, buskers and others creating a relaxed but festive vibe.
That’s what 18-year market veteran vendor Robert Sgambaro (Sgambaro’s Signature Seafood) likes – the way folk start milling about early on Saturday mornings before the stalls open.
“If you’re only going to do one market, it might as well be the best. It’s the vendors and customers combined that makes this one special,” he said.
Dixie Farrell sums up her 33 years as a market vendor.
“The little kids that were buying my doll fashions when I started are now bringing their own young children to my stall,” she said. “We all work hard either in the field or at a workshop or at home in the kitchen or sewing room, and we appreciate customers coming to the market and rewarding us for that hard work.”
And while customers always enjoy the free samples offered by many a vendor, it works for the producers too.
“It’s key to be able to sample our products to the people attending the market and have direct conversations on how products can be used to enhance meal planning. We do credit the market with our ongoing success as a small business,” said Carol Olivieri, of St. Albert’s Blue Kettle Specialty Foods.
Did you know …
• The St. Albert Farmers’ Market runs special event market days plus an indoor pre-Christmas market at St. Albert Place for four weeks leading up the holidays<br />• Roughly half of vendors have been with the market for two years or less, but about 15 per cent are also five years-plus veterans.<br />• The Farmers’ Market supports over 70 jobs in St. Albert
