Reading Time: 4 minutes Market gardens and farmers markets might have a bucolic reputation but they’re a tough business. Buyers expect quality, flavour and, most importantly, variety. They’re not interested in a stand with a single product such as carrots, beets or strawberries. They want the whole produce basket. For a single grower to meet those expectations is a […] Read more
Central Alberta fruit and vegetable producers find success in co-operative effort
By banding together in a closed co-op, Innisfail Growers members say they can be more successful individually
Schoepp: Farmers markets have become part of the community fabric
Regardless of farm size, there is an opportunity to connect with those who buy our food products
Reading Time: 3 minutes I recall the early days of the farmers market in our community as the leaders focused on untapped opportunities. It was the mid-1970s, and farmers markets were just beginning to revive. It was difficult to convince folks to go back to buying local produce and food. As the population shifted to buying in grocery stores, […] Read more
‘Let’s give this a whirl’ – a farmers’ market can be a rewarding sideline
Reading Time: 4 minutes A central Alberta grain and cattle producer is sharing what it takes to add a farmers market sideline to a busy commercial farming operation. Double J Crop and Cattle is a third-generation family cattle and grain farm near Rimbey. In addition to beef (they have 300 head of cattle), they sell pork, poultry and lamb […] Read more
Farmers’ markets saw a slower summer, but support is still strong
People had more options for outings this summer, but demand for farm-fresh food keeps growing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers’ markets across Alberta were mostly back to “business as usual” — albeit with smaller crowds — after last year’s COVID restrictions were lifted this summer. “For Irvings Farm Fresh, 2021 felt more like business as usual,” said Nicola Irving, owner of Irvings Farm Fresh near Round Hill. “In 2020, we had seen reductions in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
