ottawa foodies

Hey folks,

I'm usually a lazy bastard who just hits up supermarkets, but I'm tired of crap produce flown in from distant lands, and I'd like to buy nice local stuff that actually has, y'know, fancy stuff like flavour.

That being said, given that I've never actually visited an Ottawa market, I don't know where to begin, so if any of you have any tips to guide me in the right direction, I would be deeply appreciative. I would, in particular, love to get my mitts on some beautiful fresh fruit such as berries and apples.

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate it.

Apples aren't on trees yet :-) Some fruit is but not much. So don't expect too much fresh local fruit and berries.

Just go to one of the markets and look at the signs which tell you who grows their own. I have not counted at Parkdale this year, but last year half the vendors were all local produce, and they are all clearly marked (far better than that crazy colour code system from a few years ago)

Agreed on Parkdale Market - there are some vendors, yes, but also some local producers. Also, the Sunday Ottawa Farmers' Market on Bronson near Sunnyside has all producers.

Ottawa Farmers Market www.ottawafarmersmarket.ca
Main Street Market www.mainfarmersmarket.org
Organic Market www.mainfarmersmarket.org/
Carp Farmers Market www.carpfarmersmarket.com

there are also markets in Manotick and Metcalfe and on Preston Street

Just a note about the above post: The market listed as "Organic Market" actually looks like the "Main Street Market." There were quite a few organic vendors there last time I was there, but many weren't.

The Ottawa Organic Farmers Market www.oofmarket.ca does have all organic local produce/meat/eggs/ect. Although, I guess the exception would be the vendor selling BC Wild caught fish, or the local certified organic vegetable grower that also brings bananas and oranges. Those are obviously not local! ;-)

EDIT: In the winter months, all the produce is still certified organic at the Ottawa Organic Farmers Market, but some is brought in from other places. There is another post somewhere about the hows and why's of this.

oops- you're right OG. I wrote the wrong website address for the Ottawa Organic market

There is a small farmers market on Saturdays in Kanata at Shoppers Drug Mart parking lot on Hazeldean Road--a couple of organic farmers, a few regular farmers, Hall's Orchards, Art-is-in-Bakery, Clarmell Farms Goat Cheese and a few others. Open until 3 p.m.

Saturday mornings in Cumberland as well, all local growers (and artists, etc)

Opening soon...Farmers' Market in Westboro...stay tuned!