Fall is on the horizon, and you know what that means: changing leaves, sweater weather, and best of all, farmers markets. The smell of fresh produce, the chance to see local artisans in your community, the alluring sight of the city’s many food trucks — what’s not to love?
For one of the newest markets in the city, look no further than The Orchards at Ellerslie, a new sustainable community in the heart of South Edmonton. This locale offers everything from parks and playgrounds, to walking trails, and even a harvestable orchard. If you’ve ever wanted to pick your own apples without making your way out to farm country, you’re in luck.
The Orchard’s signature market runs every Saturday from 10am to 3pm until September 30. Here are some of the local vendors you’ll be able to visit this weekend.
This local nonprofit ‘rescues’ urban fruit from those who don’t need it and donates it to organizations such as schools, charities, and farms. They offer classes where they show community members how to preserve their fruits as jams, jellies, and condiments. Apart from selling jams, they also package snacks such as apple chips using no preservatives and local ingredients.
Run by a family based out of BC’s Okanagan Valley, AIG Produce offers everything from fresh cherries and peaches to sugar free jams and sparkling juices. They’re a mainstay at farmers markets across Alberta, including Edmonton’s City Market and the Salisbury Farmer’s Market in Sherwood Park.
This mother-and-daughter duo create ready-to-go Indian dishes based on the recipes they use in their own home. They focus on using fresh and healthy ingredients to make a variety of different offerings, including samosas, pakoras, and three different types of curry.
Located near Breton, AB, Double S Ranch is a small farm specializing in pork, beef, poultry, and free-range eggs. Their animals are fed on vegetarian diets of grass and oats, with no preservatives or animal byproducts. They also sell jams and jellies.
Stephanie Markakis-Plouffe started baking 12 years ago after her husband bought her a Kitchen Aid mixer and hasn’t stopped since. While her specialty is mini cheesecakes, her menu also includes cookies, cupcakes, pies, cakes, and scones.
Sweet tooths will love Go Nuts 4 Donuts, which boasts the ability to produce 2,000 donuts per hour, making sure that their food is always fresh and ready to order. They even offer specialty toppings for their donuts, including strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and even marshmallows.
This fall, The Orchards will be expanding their Residents Association to include The Orchards Club House, a 12,000-square-foot building complete with a banquet room, kitchen, skate change room, flex rooms, and viewing gallery. There will also be a new spray park opening to families in the area. The following four additional vendors (plus many, many more) will be present to celebrate the Club House’s grand opening on September 30.
Supporting local businesses feels good; it feels even better when you can walk away with colourful creations to decorate your home or give away as gifts. Bubba & Beans Creations craft everything from custom dog beds to superhero-themed baby bibs, so you’re bound to find a piece that speaks to you.
For a gourmet gelato treat made from scratch, look no further than Uncle Dougie’s. The product is low sugar, too, making it a perfect complement to all the local, natural goodies that will inevitably end up in your shopping bag.
BroBrick aims to make self-care cool for men, offering soaps with “manly scents” that contain exceptional cleaning power only found in homemade soaps. The company simultaneously makes it easier than ever to shop for the men in your life.
Led by pastry chef Antonia, Humming Bird Bakery has served up delicious items like gooey cinnamon buns, almondine cookies and pumpkin molasses pies at the market all summer long. Choose your favourite and stroll around the celebration on September 30 with a treat in hand.
With so much happening in The Orchards, now is the perfect time to check out the farmers market and one of the most exciting new communities in Edmonton — just be sure to bring your appetite!
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