Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market

Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market is a wonderful gem just off Whyte. The market runs every Saturday morning 8am — 3pm. Head there as early as you can though! This place fills up fast and it can be exhausting winding through the crowds while you try to check out the wares.
The market is filled with dips & chips, nuts, fresh fruit & veg, confectioneries, handmade artisan wares, and so much more. There are samples galore which allows to to try a variety of items available at the market. Then you can choose your favourites to take home.
In the spring & summer, there are a few vendors that move outdoors but the majority of the market are permanent displays inside.
Getting there, I would suggest walking or biking if possible. It makes it much easier to get in and out of the market. Otherwise, there is free parking across Gateway is a designated lot but it gets chaotic. Therefore, it would be wise to park further in the neighbourhood and then take a leisurely walk over.

This place is the spot for reals anything you want they gots it. Bring your wallet bring the chilren’s it’s good for everybody and if your a foodie geezus you’ve died and gone to heaven. I had to leave cause my bank account was making that noise you know that noise where your pushing it lol.

My FAVOURITE! Tons of vegan options (including the highly coveted Fricken’ Delight Donuts) and other produce and ready made foods! Stopped for lunch and goodies today. Go early! Before 10 to make sure you get what you want.

Having only really explored Vancouver and Calgary for farmer’s markets, I was pleasantly surprised by the Old Strathcona market. Much less pretentious, great prices, and a large variety of businesses all under one busy, bustling roof!
The reason for the 4 stars? Parking is a total gong show, and it is extremely crowded, making the market experience somewhat stressful at times. It is just so much chaos of people and strollers all vying for the delicious free samples at the various booths.
Otherwise, the market is quite enjoyable — all the vendors we stopped to look at were super friendly, and nearly every booth has samples they are hoping you will taste. I thought the pricing at this market was also much better than some of the more pretentious places I’ve been to in Calgary.

I enjoy going to the farmers market and seeing all of the different items being sold! Produce, meats, jewelry, pastries, pasta, salsas, woodcarving, and linens– it’s all there. I like to get my gourmet mustards and sausages from here. And finally there is a new vendor that sells nut butters!
There is a café in the front that sells breakfast and coffee. The food was just OKAY for us. If you want pizza or lemonade, there is another café in the rear of the building.
Finding a place to park is PAIN!

Alright, I finally hit this market at a relatively quiet time, resulting in me actually taking in the market and not wanting to resort to violence :)
This really is a great market in terms of vendors. I most recently visited in February, right around noon. I was impressed with the fresh produce selection. Lots of root vegetables, potatoes, and even fresh tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, lettuces, and some fruit (apples mostly).
There are a lot of tempting treats here. My fave would be Aunt Jean’s fudge (for real, the BEST fudge you could ever have), and Confetti cookies which everyone knows are amazing.
Even with it being fairly quiet, some aisles were too close together that I just know come stroller season, it’ll be a nightmare. But for a market in the dead of winter, it’ll have to do I guess.
Really, I think this market needs to move to a bigger location, and one that won’t cause major traffic congestion in the area.

I can’t stand the crowds. Strollers hitting you in the back of the leg. Getting stabbed with a toddler’s ice cream cone.
I like supporting local growers and vendors, but ever since my grocer started carrying many of the same items, I buy them at the store.
If I happen to be walking by near the end of the day when the traffic has slowed, I’ll look in just to check it out. I really haven’t purchased anything in years.

This year-​round market offers many different retail items, such as crafts, wool, plants (in the summer), beeswax/​candles, fruit wine, and the expected fresh fruit and veggies, meat, cheese, coffee/​tea, preserves, baking needs such as flour, oil, etc, as well as many baked/​prepared goods. There are more than a hundred vendors and the cost and quality of items varies.
The market is usually packed inside but I’ve found there really isn’t a wait to purchase items anywhere. There are several ATMs in the back of the building.
I find myself going to the same vendors every visit. I love the peppers and lettuce from Gull Valley Greenhouses. The best spanakopita I’ve had is from Theo’s Greek Kouzina. I usually dislike canola oil, but really enjoy the canola oil from Mighty Trio Organics. I often buy eggs and meat from Sunworks Farm (they have great prices for a local/​organic operation, especially for organ meats). And I LOVE the fruit wine from Birds & Bees Winery. There are way too many awesome vendors to list in one review!
I do find some of the produce at this market prohibitively expensive, but considering most of these products are grown locally by small farming operations, it makes sense.
I love the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market!

I make a point of visiting the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market every time I’m in Edmonton! Parking may be difficult sometimes but it’s well worth the effort.
Here’s a list of my go-​to vendors:
Handicrafts by Bea
This lady sells my all-​time favourite condiment. She calls it «My Best Hamburger Relish» and it’s the best-​kept secret of the OSFM! Do yourself a favour and pick some up, it’s perfect on almost everything. Her fruit jams are excellent as well and reasonably priced.
Kim Chee Place
Killer kimchee! A must for fellow lovers of this spicy fermented cabbage. The produce a variety of kimchees but I always go for the basic traditional recipe and I’m never disappointed.
Steve & Dan’s BC Fruit
It’s impossible to walk past this stall without stopping to admire the displays of beautiful perfectly ripe seasonal fruit. I’m usually here in cherry season and I cannot resist splurging on a large container of the dark, sweet, mouth-​watering cherries.
Jelly Parrot Trash Crafts
I’ve bought several of these unique upcycled journals as gifts for friends and next time I visit I’m buying one for myself!

Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market is a great way to spend a Saturday morning! Go early, ideally by 10am (especially in the summer), because the place gets packed! I love all the samples throughout, and the café in the back which serves dishes incorporating various vendors’ ingredients! There is street parking on the side streets or a few pay lots a couple blocks away.
My favourites that I have purchased multiple times include:
* The Happy Camel Labaneh and Spinach pitas — this company is known for their hummus (which is lovely and has tons of flavours) — but I am personally more obsessed with their Labaneh/​labneh (yogurt cheese) with sundried tomato, olive oil and herbs. It is so creamy and spreadable, and I could eat the entire container in one sitting if I really wanted to… Their pitas are also awesome for dipping– really fluffy and soft.
* Mojo Jojo’s Pickles — they have awesome pickled veggies and eggs (my all-​time favourite was pickled squash which was a seasonal feature — but the chili lime green beans, mexican spiced carrots, lemon balsamic asparagus, pickled eggs are all great), AND delectable preserves… salted caramel pear butter? apple toffee butter? yes please…
* Ayikarley’s Kitchen — yummy cuisine from Ghana! Really enjoyed the goat stew, peanut butter soup and spinach stew! Tons of samples and they are so friendly!

I absolutely LOVE that we have a farmer’s market in Edmonton that is open year-​round as I am a big farmer’s market person; I love getting to explore all the different vendors!
During it’s open hours, parking is extremely scarce unless you get there pretty early. I found the vendors to be extremely friendly selling an abundance of different things, many of which are very yummy! The overall atmosphere is great and I’ll definitely be back!

I like this market… but not as much as I like others.
It has a lot to offer, fruits, veggies, meat, candy, art, pottery… the list goes on. I don’t even mind the heavy crowds. Sometimes. This weekend, it wasn’t too hot and stuffy.
But when I checked out some of the prices, I remembered why I don’t shop there often. Some of those prices were ridiculous. I’m at a loss to describe it. Perhaps they’re just high in comparison to Mother’s Market or the Witches Market down the street, but I wasn’t willing to spend much there.
And was there something in the air? Some of those vendors were rude, inattentive, or just unapproachable. Would it kill them to smile? Especially if you’re taking my money?

I love the Farmer’s Market! It’s got a wonderful atmosphere, bubbling with chatter and the smells of fresh food. There’s a huge variety of items for sale, ranging from produce to pesto to décor. It’s a ridiculous amount of fun to browse through.
One of the main things I love about the Market? Free samples! The vendors are so generous with there samples and you can try something at practically every food shop. It’s awesome being able to taste before you buy. Although it’s also dangerous because I ended up wanting to buy everything that I tried… I mean, it’s all better than what you’d buy at the regular supermarket, right? At least that’s what I tell myself to justify my purchases…
My only qualm is that there’s no actual free parking at the market. You’ll either have to pay, or park a couple blocks away, which can be a little inconvenient if you’re going buck wild with your shopping.
I super recommend stopping in and checking it out! You’ll fall in love!

Oh my goodness I love it!!! You can find everything from local crafts and art to wine, cheese, jam, pies, pesto, etc. I obviously could go on and on but I think you get the general gist of it.
You can sample before you make your choices too (but be careful, you’ll end up wanting to buy everything). The prices are reasonable and the quality you are getting is definitely much better than if you went to superstore.
Along with the amazing products as produces you can find, there is always a section of food and snacks and a little food court area right inside the farmers market if you get hungry while you are shopping.
Definitely come down on Saturday and make a day out of it! You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how amazing all the vendors and products are! Plus you’ll have the greatest time :)

I love this place. There’s too many different vendors to not like something, and the vibe of the place is great. Everyone is friendly, and down to earth.
While we’re on the subject of earth, buying local and organic is a good thing to do, not to mention that it tastes better too. The meat may be super expensive, but it beats eating a chicken that’s never touched the ground or seen the sky. The produce is only a tiny bit more expensive, well worth it to support the local economy and get better quality.
I do wish it were open later, but the vendors start super early, so I won’t fault them for me being a bit lazy on Saturday mornings.

I don’t know about you, but when I hear «farmer’s market,» I think of fresh produce and meats, as well as products made directly from them (i.e. homemade food items).
Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market disappoints here. It seems that every second booth or so belongs more at a craft fair than a farmer’s market.
Coupled with the INSANE busy-​ness and the cramped aisles, it is rare that we go to this market anymore. It just isn’t worth the headache.

Ye Olde Strathcona Farmers Market is like a whole nutha level of awesomeness! You’re going to see people you know and you’re going to pick up some delicious veggies! In fact you’re going to pick up a whole bunch a crazy goodness!
The ambience is a little frenetic, especially if you get there in peak times. Ya gotta show up early for more mellow vibes.
But with that said there are SO many adorable oldies and babies cruisin about! Plus there’s live music! It’s da bomb people get into it!

Nestled in an old neighbourhood; Old Strathcona County is filled with lots of hidden gems and one of them is its Farmer’s Market. It sends up a nostalgia effect up my spine. Quite a place to walk around — have a taster of some of the food it offers — listen to some buskers sending music up the air like some music fairies — enjoy the little hustle and bustle of a morning market — it’s pure heaven.
Simple yet so divine a day in the Market. It’s also a great place for delicious succulent sausages. Mmmmm!

I am in the small minority of people who do not enjoy OSFM. It pains me when I have to push my way through there in the winter to get some bacon. There are far too many people crammed into too narrow aisles, all walking at a snail’s pace 4 people across.
I get the merits of the market — they have some fine booths and the Toast kitchen is decent, so if you go very early to beat the crowds, it’s probably bearable.
I like to sleep in on Saturdays, so I get stuck with the rest of the late sleepers who need fresh produce and peanut brittle, and I count the weeks until the 104 st market opens again.

I went to OSFM to torture myself today and to get to know what the market has to offer. It was torture because I am currently on the Master Cleanse that doesn’t allow for any food. With all the booths offering free samples of their wares it took all the self control in the world to stay strong. While walking each isle I still wanted to research my options for my first meal after the cleanse.
I found a few gems that I will be going back to:
1. Kim Chee Place — Korean cuisine that looks like it has some really tasty kimchi. They also have have gyoza’s and a few canned spices. It’s run by a real Korean family and I trust their food to be genuine.
2. Don Antonio’s Mexican Food — This booth had fresh corn tortilla’s in both large and small sizes. I love Mexican cuisine so I’ll have to come back.
Now a little bit of constructive criticism: I found that the prices for all products were atleast 15−25% higher than most places. I guess there is no tax added to the prices but I found it pretty steep. Especially the meat locations. Frozen packaged meat shouldn’t be that expensive no matter how organic or far away it came from.
Overall I will definitely be coming back to OSFM but I am looking forward to trying out other farmer’s markets in the city to compare.

Knackig frische Gemüse und Obst aus der Region (natürlich Bio), sowie ganz viele andere Leckereien (Ahornsyrup, Gebäck, etc.) und auch andere selbstgemachte Waren werden hier immer Samstags angeboten. Egal ob Regen, Schnee, oder Sonnenschein sind die Menschen hier immer gut drauf und freundlich.