There is entertainment, ice cream, fresh produce and, this year, even alcohol. Sounds like one of St. Albert's many festivals. But this festival is one amazing show that starts this Saturday (June 9) and runs every Saturday until Oct. 6 . Each market day it brings upwards of 20,000 people into our city core.
The St. Albert Farmers' Market delivers fresh food, meat, bakery items, crafts and art weekly in the middle of a lively downtown cultural event.
Most visitors say the fresh produce is the biggest draw to the market. But the impact of this St. Albert Chamber of Commerce event on the local economy is no small potatoes.
In 2014 the City of St. Albert estimated that the market generated more than $10.8 million economic activity in St. Albert alone, provided 73 jobs, and generated $52,000 in city taxes. The same city report estimated that 56 per cent of the people who attend the market are from outside the city.
In 2016 Albertans spent $1.5 billion at farmers markets, up 25 per cent from four years earlier according to Alberta Agriculture figures. And that number is expected to grow as consumers opt to buy fresh food that is grown closer to home and gets to our tables using less fossil fuels. It is nice to know that our community is contributing to and benefiting from that economic boom.
But besides the shot in the arm for the local economy, the market has heart. It has provided a stage for young local entertainers to get performing experience while busking for a little cash. This year those buskers are giving back by raising money for scholarships for other young entertainers.
Last year the St. Albert market won Tourism Alberta's Alto Award for outstanding sustainable tourism. The market has been donating leftover produce and food to the St. Albert Food Bank and also partnered with an organization that teaches immigrants how to market their businesses.
And to help to avoid traffic congestion, Landrex Park 'n Ride offers transport to and from the market from the Village Tree transit station.
And did we mention that the St. Albert Farmers' Market is the largest outdoor market in western Canada? That's no small feat for a city our size.
The market continues to evolve and grow. Jennifer McCurdy, Chamber CEO, said that there will be space for 280 booths on downtown streets this year.
“We’re always looking at ways to bring another component to the market. It’s easy to be the largest. We’re also working really hard to be the best. I think we’re well on the way with that. We have a great market and we’re really excited about what 2018 is going to bring,” McCurdy said.
She's right. We do have a great market.
So go down to the market on Saturdays this summer, buy some fresh produce, enjoy the music and bask in the glow that you live in a pretty incredible community that puts on this spectacular show.
