Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market

More than simply a way for you to connect with local food producers and buy incredibly fresh produce and beautiful handicrafts, the SWEFM is a fun destination! A place where you can learn about your community, where the kids can enjoy activities and where families can grab a bite to eat while visiting with friends, neighbours and family. It is a place where community bonds are strengthened. Where the local economy is supported in a significant way. And where the community spirit comes alive.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Fresh Sheet: June 18, 2014

Fresh, healthy food for the people!

Join us WEDNESDAY in the Terwillegar Recreation Center Parking Lot from 4:30-7:30

We're looking at a great week at SWEFM as we open the Sprouts Program up to 150 more children at market. The spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis so come early and line up at the Sprouts tent!

For those of you looking for other ways to introduce healthy eating into your lifestyle, our Health Tours are now every week, so stop by the info tent and chat with a nutrition guide!

For market shopping tips, be sure to check out this page to ensure your market visit is everything it should be. And remember, please leave Fido at home- no dogs are allowed where food is being served!

As your favourite community market, we do our best to connect you to your neighbours!

Oak Hills Community League will be in the Community Tent this week, talking to guests about the work they do in Leger and the community events and programs that are available.

The Sprouts Program for kids will be opened up to 150 more children this week. The spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to come early to enroll your child in the program and get your free shopping bag (available while quantities last)! For more information on the Sprouts Program, click here.

The inflatable slide will be here again this week, weather permitting! It's only $5 for unlimited rides all market and is the perfect way to burn off extra energy (or that extra cupcake!) before bedtime. If it's windy, Bob the slide guy has also brought a bouncy castle combo unit for hours of fun, even if it is a little gusty outside!

We don't fail to entertain at the Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market! Check out this week's entertainers and buskers below.

We have an exciting new busker this week: Miranda the street performer! She'll be in the center of the market (weather permitting) with her comedy, fire-eating and straightjacket act. Stop and watch her this week!

The Cheerific Cheerleading Club will be on site by the giant slide performing stunts and short routines to entertain kids and adults alike.

Our musical lineup includes Clinton with his loop-track music and Daylan with his folk covers.

And last but not least, balloon artist Pretzel and face painter Lady Dolphin will be joining us again this week, weather permitting.

Cherries and strawberries are ripe and ready for you to devour! Visit our all-star fruit vendors for the best tastes of summer.

Red Apple B.C. Fruit is back again this week with their delicious B.C. apples, pears, and fresh strawberries!

Steve & Dan's B.C. Fruit is joining us with their strawberries ,cherries, winter apples, winter pears, hazelnuts, sparkling juice, 100% apple juice and dehydrated apples.

AIG Produce will be at market this week, bringing fresh fruit from B.C.

There's nothing like fresh local vegetables for summer salads and barbeques!. Check out what our veggie vendors are bringing this week:

Dargatz Family Farm is back this week! Stop by and say hello to Keith and check out his vegetables and plants.

Holden Colony will be bringing a variety of fresh vegetables, including peppers, radishes, cucumbers and tomatoes, along with root vegetables and delicious preserves.

S4 Greenhouses will be bringing their freshest tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and lettuce (along with those adorable $2 bags for our little Sprouts).

Our meat line-up has some old favourites and some new vendors to try:

Sunworks Farm brings a variety of grass-fed and organic meats to market. They'll have turkey and lamb sausage at the market this week, and we'll also see the return of turkey mettwurst sausage, turkey garlic and rosemary sausage and lamb Moroccan sausage.

Jerky Jerky is back this week bringing his fantastic jerky in a variety of flavours. They offer samples, so be sure to give one a try!

Our bakers are back this week! We have bakers for everyone, from vegans to those with nut allergies and gluten sensitivities. There's no reason not to indulge!

Get beautiful cupcakes like these from Blue Rose Baking Co.!

Blue Rose Baking Co. is back this week with her beautiful and scrumptious vegan treats. She'll be bringing Earl Grey Dark Chocolate Cookies, Vanilla Coconut and Chocolate Mint Cupcakes and Cookies n' Cream Donuts for those who want a snack made without animal products.
Celebrate, Gluten Free is the wonderful for those who avoid gluten. She always has a feature item or two, so be sure to stop by every week!
Sweet Stuff will be stocked full with her adorable cupcakes. Her minis are the perfect size for little hands or those who want a treat without the guilt!

Confetti Sweets will be back again with their delicious cookies. They have so many varieties you'll have to come back week after week to try them all!

Cafe O' Play's Little Crumbs is back this week with more of their hit nut-free baking. Their products are perfect to pack to nut-free schools, so pick up some cookies to treat your child's entire class this week!

Prairie Mill Baking Co. will have their fantastic locally-baked bread. If you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, their chocolate banana bread is to die for!

Want a quick and delicious take-home food item? We've got you covered!

Long Lost Foods, our vegan ready-to-eat vendor, will be selling their delicious vegan zucchini chips, pizza pops, burger patties and more.

Birds and Bees Winery is back this week with their delicious honey wines and meads.

Cravings Gelato will be bringing their gelato in a variety of flavours.

Fruits of Sherbrooke will be bringing their oh-so-popular preserves made from rescued fruit in Edmonton neighbourhoods.

Melodi's Kitchen will be bringing their wonderful Turkish food again this week.

Mini Kitchen specializes in delicious Indian and Thai food. Her samosas are a favourite of ours!

The Mallow Fellow will have her perfectly soft and sweet marshmallows. Her adorable feature products are a wonderful treat for well-behaved little ones!

Theo's Greek Kouzina bringing their well-loved Greek dips and treats to market this week.

The Violet Chocolate Company is back with their delicious specialty chocolate.

Simply Supper brings ready-to-eat meals to market to make your busy life easier. This month, you can purchase a $20 gift card as your teacher tthank-you gift and Simply Supper will sweeten the deal by adding a menu planning pad, $5 off coupon and free gift wrapping. The $20 gift card can be used towards our Ready-2-Go meals ($20 buys one complete meal from our Ready-2-Go Freezer) or You Assemble Session in-store.

No farmers' market visit is complete without dinner at one of our fantastic food trucks. Where will you eat this week?

La Poutine is joining us this week with their drool-worthy poutine made with fresh cheese curds and fun extras.

Knosh Catering is back with their oh-so-popular U.K. comfort food. Who needs a trip to Europe when you have this food truck staple?

Bully Food Truck is a SWEFM staple and will be offering their fantastic comfort food again this week.

Fat Franks is back and will be ready to serve you their delicious hot dogs and smokies with all the fixings!

The Pink Kernel will be at market offering mini doughnuts, cotton candy and snow cones.

Original Canadian Kettle Corn is a vendor you can't skip at any farmers' market! Say hello and watch your popcorn be made fresh, right in front of you.

We have only the best artisans at SWEFM. Be sure to finish off your market experience with a great item for you or a friend!

Ada's Soap Shop will be selling cold-processed soap along with lip balm, lavender flowers and more. Grab a bar of his Carrot Soap for our theme this week!

Morrie's Handicraft is back again with his beautiful handmade stone housewares. Ask him about custom orders, he'd love to make your vision come to life.

See you at market!

Friday, 13 June 2014

Rhubarb, Strawberry & Red Currant Yeasted Soda

Rhubarb and strawberries are some of the first crops to come to a spring farmers' market. And fresh from the field, there is nothing quite like their taste. Rarely available commercially, red currants are amazingly beautiful red gems that are very difficult to find anywhere other than a backyard garden or a local farmers' market.

Red Currants grow in our Alberta gardens

Champagne yeast does a great job at carbonating beverages, and can be found at most good wine and beer stores. This recipe MUST use champagne yeast and not bread or beer yeast or your concoction will turn out quite disgusting!

This fruity and tart soda is great for hot days and is perfect for garden parties, but make sure to place it in the fridge within a day of adding the yeast to your base, or else you’ll have some fermentation action going on!

Rhubarb is always available at a spring farmers' market

Rhubarb can be purchased at Dargatz Family Farm and Holden Colony's booths at the market. Strawberries can be found at Red Apple and Steve & Dan's B.C. Fruit. And last year, we saw red currants at AIG's B.C. fruit stall.

ingredients Soda Base

The flavour of a fresh picked strawberry is unbelievable!

175 g Rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces
500 g Strawberries, quartered, tops off
175 g Red currants
Pinch of salt

1. Add all ingredients to a pot on low heat. Cover with lid.

2. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Strain mixture through cheesecloth. Reserve liquid in refrigerator.

ingredients Soda

275 g Reserved soda base
700 mL Distilled water
25 g Honey
100 g Simple syrup
.2 g Champagne yeast (winning wines plus)

directions

1. Add soda base, water, honey and simple syrup to a bowl. Stir to combine.

2. Transfer to two 500 mL flip-top glass bottles (or any bottles that can seal completely and handle lots of pressure!)

3. Add .1 g yeast to each bottle.

4. Lightly shake. Store in a cool, dark place (not refrigerated) overnight.

5. Next day, place bottles in refrigerator for 24 hours.

6. When ready to serve, lightly tip bottle back and forth, as there will be natural sediment.

7. Pop ‘er open and enjoy!

Contributed by Carley Jane Stanton from her blog, Northern Urbanites
Visit our website at http://www.swefm.ca

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/swefm.ca
Write a review on TripAdvisor http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g154914-d6698177-Reviews-Southwest_Edmonton_Farmers_Market-Edmonton_Alberta.html

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Fresh Sheet: June 11, 2014

Get your FRESH on!

Join us WEDNESDAY in the Terwillegar Recreation Center Parking Lot from 4:30-7:30

It's another great week at SWEFM as we launch our rescheduled Health Tours as part of our Experience This! Program. Read below for information on this opportunity to shop at SWEFM with a nutrition student from the University of Alberta!

As your favourite community market, we do our best to connect you to your neighbours!

Servus Credit Union, a sponsor of the Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market will be on site this week. Make sure you drop by the Servus tent before hitting the farmers’ market to pick up your free reusable tote (limited quantity). This week, Servus will have their ‘Monster Head Knockdown’ challenge. Take a shot and try to knock down these terrifying and troublesome monsters. If you defeat a monster, you will WIN a prize! On top of all the fun, there will be an entry box prize including (4) four Freewill Shakespeare Festival Opening Night Tickets (Value: CND $120). Come by the Servus tent to be a part of all the fun!

The Edmonton Public Library- Riverbend Branch is joining us in the Community Tent this week. Stop by to chat about the great services EPL offers and try to negotiate those late fees (just kidding!).

We've rescheduled the launch of our Health Tour program due to last week's poor weather. Stop by the info tent and the Experience This! table for the launching of our Health Tour program, where you will get the opportunity to shop in small groups with a nutrition student or graduate from the University of Alberta. Our nutrition guides will walk you through the market and help you shop for products that will help you reach your dietary goals in a healthy way. This week's theme is Packing Lunches, and our experts are ready to help you get on track with packing quick, healthy and delicious lunches that are perfect for your busy lifestyle.

Our nutrition experts will be leading Health Tours with groups of ten participants every half hour at the info tent starting at 4:30 on Wednesday. They will answer any of your questions, help you shop, and leave you with a handy guide to packing great lunches for yourself and your family.

The first 50 participants in the Health Tours will receive some Brown Bag Swag filled with healthy eating information to take home, a crisp fresh apple from Red Apple, along with fantastic coupons from Celebrate Gluten Free, Honest Dumplings, Confetti Sweets, Little Crumbs Bake Shop, Fruits of Sherbrooke, and Simply Supper!

Be prepared for your tour by having the answers to the following questions ready:

- Do you, or anyone you prepare lunches for, have any dietary allergies?

- Do you have any dietary goals that you want us to address on this Health Tour?
- Describe whom in the household you pack lunches for.

- Do you follow a Halal, Kosher, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet?

Be sure to write down any specific questions you'd like to ask or vendors you'd like to visit on your tour and enjoy this great opportunity for free dietary coaching!

Momstown will be joining us againthis week with a veggie or fruit-themed craft for the kids. It's the perfect way to get the kids excited about healthy foods AND make a summery gift for Father's Day next weekend!

The Sprouts Program for kids continues! Those who won the draw for the Choosewell Prize Packs will be able to pick up their prizes at the Sprouts table this week. There are currently no spaces available in Sprouts, but you can put your child's name on the waiting list. We are hoping to open the program up to more children in July. For more information on the Sprouts Program, click here.

We don't fail to entertain at the Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market! Check out this week's entertainers and buskers below.

Our resident balloon artists, Pretzel and Russ, and the face painter extraordinaire, Lady Dolphin, will be joining us again this week, weather permitting.

We have a great lineup of musical buskers this week, including accordion player Brogan Göertz, ukelele player Matt Graham, and loop music artist Clinton Richardson.

There's nothing more refreshing on a summer day than biting into a fresh piece of fruit from the farmers' market... Get your fix of nature's candy this week!

Red Apple B.C. Fruit is back again this week with their delicious B.C. apples, pears, and fresh strawberries! Pick up your first pint of B.C. strawberries of the season and enjoy the sweet deliciousness of summer.

There's nothing like fresh local vegetables for summer salads and barbeques!. Check out what our veggie vendors are bringing this week:

The Plot will be joining us this week! Diana, the owner of The Plot, grows all of her produce in used yard space in Edmonton for shoppers at SWEFM. This week, she will be bringing wine jellies and preserves along with fresh herbs.

Holden Colony will be bringing a variety of fresh vegetables, including peppers, radishes, cucumbers and tomatoes, along with root vegetables and delicious preserves.

S4 Greenhouses will be bringing their freshest tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and lettuce (along with those adorable $2 bags for our little Sprouts).

Our meat line-up has some old favourites and some new vendors to try:

Sunworks Farm brings a variety of grass-fed and organic meats to market. They take special orders for pick up, too!

Jerky Jerky is back this week bringing his fantastic jerky in a variety of flavours.

Our bakers are back this week! We have bakers for everyone, from vegans to those with nut allergies and gluten sensitivities. There's no reason not to indulge!

Celebrate, Gluten Free is the wonderful for those who avoid gluten. Try her chocolate carrot brownies and carrot hand pies as part of our carrot theme this week!

Sweet Stuff will be stocked full with her adorable cupcakes. Be sure to grab her limited edition mini carrot cupcakes this week!

Confetti Sweets will be back again with their delicious cookies. They have so many varieties you'll have to come back week after week to try them all!

Prairie Mill Baking Co. will have their fantastic locally-baked bread. If you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, their chocolate banana bread is to die for!

Want a quick and delicious take-home food item? We've got you covered!

Long Lost Foods, our new vegan ready-to-eat vendor, will be new to market this week and selling their delicious vegan zucchini chips, pizza pops, burger patties and more.

Birds and Bees Winery is back this week with their delicious honey wines and meads.

Cravings Gelato will be bringing their gelato in a variety of flavours.

Fruits of Sherbrooke will be bringing their oh-so-popular preserves made from rescued fruit in Edmonton neighbourhoods.

Melodi's Kitchen will be bringing their wonderful Turkish food again this week.

Mini Kitchen specializes in delicious Indian and Thai food. Her samosas are a favourite of ours!

The Mallow Fellow will have her perfectly soft and sweet marshmallows. Her adorable feature products are a wonderful treat for well-behaved little ones!

Theo's Greek Kouzina bringing their well-loved Greek dips and treats to market this week.

Honest Dumplings will be bringing five flavours of dumplings: Maple pork belly with quinoa and baby bok choy; pork with edamame beans and shrimp; spicy chicken with peanuts and flat beans; spicy tofu with peanuts, and the popular ginger beef.

The Violet Chocolate Company is back with their delicious specialty chocolate.

No farmers' market visit is complete without dinner at one of our fantastic food trucks. Where will you eat this week?

Salin' On Food Truck is feeding us their fantastic vegan food again this week. If you think vegan food isn't for you, try Salin' On and be surprised!

Bully Food Truck is a SWEFM staple and will be offering their fantastic comfort food again this week.

Fat Franks is back and will be ready to serve you their delicious hot dogs and smokies with all the fixings!

The Pink Kernel will be at market offering mini doughnuts, cotton candy and snow cones.

Original Canadian Kettle Corn is a vendor you can't skip at any farmers' market! Say hello and watch your popcorn be made fresh, right in front of you.

Yellowbird Food Truck will be offering their fantastic Japanese fusion cuisine again this week. Their dessert items are to die for!

We have only the best artisans at SWEFM. Be sure to finish off your market experience with a great item for you or a friend!

Orange Avocado is back at SWEFM this week with her beautiful handmade jewelry. She had quite the following last season, so be sure to stop by and pick up a one-of-a-kind piece this week!

Ada's Soap Shop will be selling cold-processed soap along with lip balm, lavender flowers and more. Grab a bar of his Carrot Soap for our theme this week!

Morrie's Handicraft is back again with his beautiful handmade stone housewares. Ask him about custom orders, he'd love to make your vision come to life.

Forgotten Favourites is joining us again this week at SWEFM with their self-published cookbook filled with awesome tried-and-true recipes for the family.

See you at market!

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Fresh Sheet: June 4, 2014

Fresh local food is coming your way!

Join us WEDNESDAY in the Terwillegar Recreation Center Parking Lot from 4:30-7:30

This week will be exciting at SWEFM as we launch our Health Tours as part of our Experience This! Program. Read below for information on this opportunity to shop at SWEFM with a nutrition expert! We also have two new vegan vendors, Blue Rose Baking Co. and Long Lost Foods, starting this week for you to enjoy.

Stop by the info tent and the Experience This! table for the launching of our Health Tour program, where you will get the opportunity to shop in small groups with a nutrition student or graduate from the University of Alberta. Our nutrition experts will walk you through the market and help you shop for products that will help you reach your dietary goals in a healthy way. This week's theme is Packing Lunches, and our experts are ready to help you get on track with packing quick, healthy and delicious lunches that are perfect for your busy lifestyle.

Our nutrition experts will be leading Health Tours every half hour at the info tent starting at 4:30 on Wednesday. They will answer any of your questions, help you shop, and leave you with a handy guide to packing great lunches for yourself and your family.

Be prepared for your tour by having the answers to the following questions ready:

- Do you, or anyone you prepare lunches for, have any dietary allergies?

- Do you have any dietary goals that you want us to address on this Health Tour?
- Describe whom in the household you pack lunches for.

- Do you follow a Halal, Kosher, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet?

Be sure to write down any specific questions you'd like to ask or vendors you'd like to visit on your tour and enjoy this great opportunity for free dietary coaching!

We don't fail to entertain at the Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market! Check out this week's entertainers and buskers below.

Our resident balloon artists, Pretzel and Russ, and the face painter extraordinaire, Lady Dolphin, will be joining us again this week, weather permitting. We will also be hosting Angela, a wonderful children's street performer and her fantastic bubble act! Just wait to see what she has in store!

We have a great lineup of musical buskers this week, including Matt Graham, Spencer Vaughn Lafrentz, and Bryan Coffey.

There's nothing more refreshing on a summer day than biting into a fresh piece of fruit from the farmers' market... Get your fix of nature's candy this week!

Red Apple B.C. Fruit is back again this week with their delicious B.C. apples and pears. Try Jonagold apples this week for their delicious sweet crispness!

There's nothing like fresh local vegetables to make your salads and dinners better. Check out what our veggie vendors are bringing this week:

Dargatz Family Farm will be bringing their herb pots and other plants to market again this week, along with fresh rhubarb for your baking and dessert needs.

Holden Colony will be bringing a variety of fresh vegetables, including peppers, radishes, cucumbers and tomatoes, along with root vegetables and delicious preserves.

S4 Greenhouses will be bringing their freshest tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and lettuce (along with those adorable $2 bags for our little Sprouts).

Our meat line-up has some old favourites and some new vendors to try:

Sunworks Farm brings a variety of grass-fed and organic meats to market. They take special orders for pick up, too!

Jerky Jerky is back this week bringing his fantastic jerky in a variety of flavours.

Our bakers are back this week! We have bakers for everyone, from vegans to those with nut allergies and gluten sensitivities. There's no reason not to indulge!

Blue Rose Baking Co. is our new vegan baker starting their season at SWEFM this week. She bakes beautiful cakes and other vegan goods for us to enjoy. Be sure to give her a warm welcome!
Celebrate, Gluten Free is the wonderful for those who avoid gluten. Try her chocolate carrot brownies and carrot hand pies as part of our carrot theme this week!

Sweet Stuff will be stocked full with her adorable cupcakes. Be sure to grab her limited edition mini carrot cupcakes this week!

Confetti Sweets will be back again with their delicious cookies. They have so many varieties you'll have to come back week after week to try them all!

Prairie Mill Baking Co. will have their fantastic locally-baked bread. If you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, their chocolate banana bread is to die for!
Raspberry and Cocoa will be joining us this week and offering their perfect croissants and other baked goods.