Calgary Farmers' Market
Open Year-Round, The Market is Especially Cheerful in Spring
For a break from the shopping centre and the usual grocery store, Calgary's year-round Farmers' Market is an accessible indoor market with produce from near and far.
Former Army Base at Currie Barracks Has a Year-Round Calgary Farmers' Market
One of the more recent amenities in Calgary is the Farmers' Market on the site of the former armed forces base, known locally as the Currie Barracks. Open all year, the market is particularly fun in the spring because suddenly there are flowers and herbs and vegetables to take home and plant, as well as to eat.
This is not Calgary's only Farmers' Market, but it is the most conveniently situated for those who are coming from the west or south.
The market is open year round on weekends, including Fridays. Housed in a big, dark building which was originally a hangar for aircraft, it is a cool and welcome relief from the hot summer sun, and a cozy hideaway during the much less busy winter months.
Wheelchair Access at Calgary Farmers' Market
There are washrooms with wheelchair access, tables and chairs for having a lunch or coffee break, and a generous number of handicapped parking stalls close to the building. The floor inside is smooth concrete, and the corridors are wide enough for a wheelchair to move about. The parking lot is not paved. It is possible to drive up to the front door of the market, although on a very busy day, the parking lot can be full of pedestrians and manoevring vehicles.
The growing season in Calgary is not long, so not all of the produce is local, particularly in the winter months. However, when the food can be found locally, it can be found here at the market.
On warm days, one side of the building is opened wide. Tables loaded with vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers bring the culinary rainbow right up to eye level, tempting the visitor at every turn.
One occasional drawback to the market is, ironically, its popularity. On a summer Saturday afternoon, it can be very busy. Parking spaces are always available, but it's possible that the handicapped ones will all be taken on such days. This rarely happens, but it's something to consider if parking close is a necessity. The overflow parking is about 200 metres or more from the market building. It is not particularly easy to drive close to the building and drop someone off or pick them up at a crowded time, though at less crowded times, there is no problem.
To Avoid the Crowds, Come Early or Late
To avoid the crowds, come early in the morning or later in the afternoon, and try to visit on a Friday or Sunday rather than Saturday. From about 11:30 until 1:30 it can be hard to get a table for lunch as that's when everyone eats! No worries, though. If the weather is fine, just take your goodies and search out a place to picnic nearby. The Mount Royal College campus is quite close, by car. The grounds are pleasant, with some lovely places to sit and relax outside.
The goods on display at the Calgary Farmers' Market are tempting and delicious, including foods in their natural raw form - fruits, vegetables, meat, fish - as well as prepared pies, salads, sausages, cheeses, and much more. A number of stalls sell local crafts.
The market experience is cheap, relaxing and generally delicious. Across the parking lot is another building featuring a wine store where you can pick up an accompaniment to your meal.
Opening Hours for the Calgary Farmers' Market
Calgary Farmers' Market is open Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Despite my warning about the crowds on a summer Saturday, it is always worthwhile going down there to see for yourself whether it suits you. If you decide to skip the market, there are other nearby attractions, notably the Marda Loop area with cafes, the My Favourite Ice Cream Store, and the military museum, Museum of the Regiments.
Here are some articles about Calgary that may be of interest:
- Calgary's Central Memorial Park: A Level Site, Rich in Layers of Western Canadian History
- Access Calgary for Visitors: Calgary's Handi-Bus Allows Visitors Up To 14 Days of Service Annually
- Accessible Fort Calgary: One of Calgary's significant historic sites is highly accessible
- Wheelchairs at Heritage Park: The story of Calgary is told in a wheelchair accessible park
- Southcentre Mall in Calgary: One of Southern Alberta's Largest Shopping Centres.
