Farm Fresh and Friendly

Winnipeg is a city that seems to come alive in the summertime. With numerous events, festivals, and community celebrations packed into a few short months, I can imagine that grocery shopping remains pretty constant for many Winnipeggers. Stop by the nearest national food retailer on the way home from work (or pick up the essentials while leaving town for the weekend) and that’s that. Yet as I discovered at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, fresh produce and locally grown food of all types are available just a short drive south of the city.

It took a bit of prompting the Friday before, but Laurel did finally agree to accompany me. I know that wacky excursions on early weekend mornings aren’t always popular, but I was armed with my grandma’s beet leaf borscht recipe and a burning desire to get cooking that afternoon. Thanks to the Vancouver-like weather we’ve had this summer, it was of course raining on our drive out to St. Norbert. Arriving at our destination we discovered you can either a) scour the streets for free parking, or b) simply drive into the big lot and pay $2 for a spot. We chose the easier and quicker option “b”.

As we exited the car a kind gentleman struck up a conversation with us (he noticed my out-of-province plates) by asking if we drove all the way from Alberta just for the farmers’ market. This devolved into a discussion of which grower offers the freshest chickens. He showed me his. I gagged internally as I haven’t eaten meat for 9 years. Dead birds in plastic bags aren’t my “thing”. It was charming, nonetheless. Manitobans are so kind and eager to strike up conversation! (at least, they are in farmers’ market parking lots)

After our experience with Winnipeg garage sales – and the lessons I supposedly learned about bargaining – I should have known better than to accept a first offer. One key ingredient for grandma’s borscht is fresh dill. I mean, a lot of fresh dill. When I saw a bunch of the stuff for $2 my initial reaction was “is this $2 day? A couple bucks for parking and now $2 for dill? Sweet!” I snapped it up quickly. However, by the time I was buying beets at the next stand I discovered a much finer, more full bunch of dill for $1.75. WHA-WHA-WHAT? By this point Laurel saw what was happening and began to help keep me calm.

As I was selecting hearty carrots at the next stall I noticed another ample bunch of dill…for $1.25! I ultimately broke down and bought it. In the end I used both bunches of dill in the borscht recipe (I doubled the instructions grandma gave me) and it was well worth it to have extra. The lesson I can impart with regard to farmers’ market shopping is that when you’re new to the game, always “do a lap” before you commit to a location. Check out the prices each vendor has set for their produce, and then make your choice from that point. Don’t jump the gun and prematurely purchase. Take your time and ease into the experience of shopping for farm fresh, local produce. It’s worth it!

Our tweets from the farmers’ market adventure:

Aaron: If the rain doesn’t stop the farmers and the Market, it can’t stop me! St. Norbert bound!

Aaron: Picking up @formerhasbeen for our adventure…hope she has her umbrella and her produce-picking hat on!

Laurel: Just got coffee with @directedreading, now off to the farmer’s market!

Aaron: It is raining less now! Had to pay 2 dollars for parking and just got advice on fresh chicken

Laurel: Ugh, just got dumped on by a tarp puddle.

Aaron: Mission accomplished! Green onions, dill, potatoes, carrots, beets…yum! Laurel got, um, soaked!

Laurel: Where were the eggs, St. Norbert farmer’s market?

Aaron: At Smitty’s for a post-Farmers Market breakfast…the special today is chocolate chip waffle; I heard “shellfish”waffle!

According to the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market website, this season is going to be their longest to-date, and they are open Saturdays from 8am – 3pm (June through to Halloween), and also on Wednesdays from 1pm – 7pm in July, August, and September only.