Think Global, Shop Local

What tastes most like summer—a freshly picked, beautifully ripe tomato? A basket of tiny but luscious local strawberries? Perhaps a fistful of fragrant fresh basil, pulled from the garden just that morning. One of the great joys of summer in Ottawa is the ability to find local, farm-fresh produce.

It’s no secret that you can find produce, flowers and assorted funky trinkets in Ottawa’s longstanding Byward Market and Parkdale Market, but you may not know about a handful of excellent, smaller markets sprinkled across the city, selling mostly local organic fruits, vegetables and other products in season.

Now in its second year, the Main Farmers’ Market has swiftly become one of our favorites. Located on the grounds of St. Paul’s University on Main Street, this market is open every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm until late October. Small enough to feel personal, and large enough to offer a great selection, this is also an easy place to shop with kids in tow, often offering live music and face painting. All your usual local produce is here, along with crafts, breads, meats, natural cosmetics and toiletries, and even ready-to-eat Indian cuisine.

The Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market is another worthy destination that’s open year-round on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s located near Bank and Heron streets, behind the Canadian Tire at Canada Care Medical Centre. When to show up depends on what you want to accomplish: this market is busiest when it first opens, so if you want the best selection, come early. If you love to browse, chat with vendors and ask questions, it’s best to come later in the day.

The Ottawa Farmers’ Market is another fave among devotees of locally produced foods. Like the Main Farmers’ Market, this is a seasonal affair that tries to entice whole families by offering fun distractions for kids like live performers, demonstrations and a farm animal petting zoo on occasions. The website has a handy section outlining what’s in season (with recipes, too!), so have a look to plan ahead. Besides the wonderful produce, you can browse culinary, medicinal and landscaping herbs, hot sauces and rubs, handcrafted jewellery, truffles and fudges, children’s clothing, honey and beeswax products, maple products, fine cheeses, specialty meats and even kitchen supplies. The market is open at Lansdowne Park on Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm, and in Orléans on Sundays at Centrum Plaza from 11 am to 6 pm until October 7.

Go early, bring cash and your own shopping bags. You’re all set for some local love. Tested by Patti R., Ottawa

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