HILLHURST SUNNYSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET ‘A VERY LOCAL HOLIDAY’ RETURNS!!

On Wednesday December 20th from 3-7pm, Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market expands their usual weekly offerings to host a hyper-local celebration of food and fun to kick your holiday celebrations off right.

The Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market boasts a fantastic line-up of local makers, bakers and growers, weekly, all year-long. But for a very special, one-night only, they grow their line-up to include more local products and holiday themed fun to help you celebrate ‘A Very Local Holiday’ of your own.

On Wednesday December 20th from 3-7pm in the Hearth Room at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA), you will find a warm welcome to the holidays presented by the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market. There you can shop for your holiday feast ingredients, tasty treats, and any last-minute gifts you may need in the coziness of our community space. The HSCA Farmers’ Market features the best of local products - grab a roast and squash from Mountain View Growers, special treats from Lemonberry Pastries, or pre-made meals to make your busy holiday easier from Pranzo Italiano. They are proud to extend this high standard to the guest vendors being brought in for this special event. Find great last minute stocking stuffers and host gifts like crochet vegetable friends from Humble and Kind Crochet, spicy samplers from Knocks your Socks off Hot Sauce, and genuine baked-with-love cakes from Heavenly Honey Cakes.

In addition to perusing local vendors, enjoy the sounds of the holiday brought to you by our featured live musical guest Doug Waite. And bring the whole family because our holiday themed photo booth will be open for your fun family photos, or that long-awaited photo opportunity with you and your cat in a Christmas sweater… All of this, plus kids’ cookie decorating and craft table, and fireside s’mores and hot chocolates. All ages are encouraged to join in the community fun, and entry is free, though we do encourage you to bring a food donation to help feed your community - pantry items and fresh foods welcome!

The Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market hosts the longest running, year-round, Alberta-approved neighbourhood market in Calgary. We give the power back to you through a diverse selection of products and direct to consumer vendors. Our community engagement initiatives take us beyond food… We are growing a good food community. [https://farmersmarket.hsca.ca/]

The Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA) is a charity that operates on the leading edge of community-serving organizations in Calgary. We champion programs and initiatives that strengthen the capacity of residents to have meaningful engagements with each other and the world around them. We are a vibrant community hub - creating welcoming spaces within and beyond our walls, both virtually and in-person. HSCA offers several programs and services which put our mission to preserve and enhance a healthy and vibrant quality of life to the residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside into action. These include childcare, facility rentals, recreation, markets, committees and a range of community programs. [https://www.hsca.ca/]

HSCA’s Farmers Market – The Ultimate Neighbourhood Nexus

By Ozair Khan

Want to learn how to prepare the perfect filling for a Ukrainian pierogi, an Italian gnocchi, or an Indian samosa, or what happens to a coffee bean cultivated in the Peruvian highlands before it ends up in our morning cuppa or perhaps what prevents creamed honey from solidifying? Every Wednesday 3-7 PM we can buy and learn directly from food growers and producers at the HSCA Farmers Market.

Removing the wholesaler from the food supply chain, we get fresher, natural, and more varieties of food directly from local producers and distributors who are passionate about what they do. Growers, producers, distributors, artists, authors, artisans, community workers, onsite fresh snack sellers, and local community non-food vendors sell/barter in Canadian and Calgary Dollars weekly here. The public strolls through the 25+ stalls with their loved ones to soak up the experience, conversation, and entertainment. Complimentary music is churned out by CJSW public radio, and the Frozen Assets ice cream truck enhances the Farmers Market’s cultural ambience.    

To officially be called a “Farmers Market”, at least 80% of the products need to be sourced locally. Unlike other Calgary Farmers Markets, the HSCA Farmers Market has 97% local products, making it a unique promoter of Calgary businesses. The public has access to locally grown produce through YYC Growers and Distributors, Michelle’s Market, Walker’s Own, and Shirley’s Greenhouse. YYC sells vegetables and fruit jams on behalf of local growers. Michelle’s Market supplies Brooks family farm grown pesticide-free vegetables. Walker’s Own provides picture perfect BC organic berries, peaches, and apricots, while Shirley’s Greenhouse produce are hydroponically grown east of Didsbury.

Among the locally prepared food vendors, local Buzzy Bee Honey producer, Ma Pies frozen sweet and savory pie maker, Highwood Coffee Latin American coffee roaster/distributor, Prairie Mill Bread Company signature multigrain baker, Odd Sausage's original sausage variety flavored family enterprise, Sunnyside's very own SunnyCider flavoured drinks, Natural Food's music/cuisine fusion, Ukrainian Fine Foods traditional fresh hot meals, and superwoman Shammi’s Kitchen East Indian snacks and crafts are worth special mention.

The HSCA's Farmers Market is also a platform for Calgary Dollars to rotate vendor representation. Local authors G.W. Renshaw explained how their intrinsic sense of justice led them to churn out fiction after fiction touching that theme. Cultural artisans like Jennifer Heartly Illanes and Bright Swan Creations eagerly demonstrated their medieval European art and indigenous craft respectively, while at the next stall, Chento Nutrition's Melisa Centofanti took time to explain the benefits of her varied Italian seasoning concoctions.  

Visitors to the HSCA Farmers Market get a chance to try selling at the market. The HSCA provides a platform and promotes new vendors through its Incubator program – whether they have ambition to earn, find new markets, introduce products, vent entrepreneurial passions, or simply want to pursue a hobby while socializing with their community.

Essential Oils for Everyone

Part of the HSCA Farmers’ Market speaker series

By Sima Chowdhury

Stop by the HSCA Farmers’ Market for the first speakers series from 4:30-6pm Wednesday, July 19th. Reserve a seat by email at farmersmarket@hsca.ca. Our Farmers’ Market runs weekly EVERY Wednesday, 3-7pm.

Join Sima and Deanna on Wednesday, July 19th, at the HSCA farmer's market as they explore the world of essential oils. Deanna from Nature Notes will discuss their health and wellness benefits starting at 4:30pm.

Once you've gathered all your information and are ready to make your first blend, Sima from Lotions and Potions Virtual Workshops will show you how to make your own shower steamer or for those who like a hot bath, a bath bomb. I will have enough supplies for people to make a small product to take home.

Shower steamers are lovely for people who love the spa experience. As the steamer dissolves, the essential oils are released into the air. Eucalyptus, a popular essential oil used at the spa, eases congestion when mixed with the steam from the shower, a great product to use during cold and flu season. Lavender and orange oils are also popular for relaxation and fresh scents.

Deanna and I hope that you will learn with us. Until then, check out Deanna’s website www.naturenotes.ca, and I have a special offer available until the end of the month on Udemy teaching people how to make cream and liquid soap: https://www.udemy.com/course/create-cream-liquid-soaps-with-sima/learn/lecture/37540054?referralCode=63F5DD33B176FDF20F99#content

Local Farmers' Markets: A Bounty of Freshness and Community

The HSCA Farmers Market is an accredited Alberta Farmers’ Market, open year-round. Summer hours are 3– 7 pm every Wednesday (rain or shine!)

Farmers markets are not just a place to buy fresh produce; they are vibrant hubs of community engagement, culinary exploration, and sustainable living. With an array of locally grown fruits, vegetables, artisanal products, and the opportunity to connect with local farmers, farmers' markets offer a unique experience that transcends the act of shopping. Let's dive into the delights of farmers markets and uncover why they have become beloved destinations for food enthusiasts and community members alike.

1. A Cornucopia of Freshness:

One of the most compelling aspects of farmers' markets is the unmatched freshness of their offerings. Unlike supermarket produce, which may travel long distances before reaching shelves, the produce at farmers markets is typically harvested at its peak ripeness, often on the same day. This translates into exceptional flavor, nutritional value, and extended shelf life. Strolling through the market, one can find a rich assortment of vibrant fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even exotic or heirloom varieties that may be hard to find elsewhere. The opportunity to savor these fresh treasures is a genuine treat for the taste buds.

2. Supporting Local Agriculture:

Farmers markets play a vital role in supporting local agriculture and the farmers who work tirelessly to cultivate our food. By buying directly from farmers, consumers help sustain small-scale, family-owned farms and promote environmentally friendly practices. These markets provide a platform for farmers to showcase their hard work and dedication, ensuring fair compensation and fostering a deeper connection between consumers and producers. Through this direct relationship, consumers gain a better understanding of where their food comes from, while farmers receive the recognition and support they deserve.

3. Culinary Exploration and Artisanal Goods:

Farmers markets are not limited to fresh produce alone; they also boast a diverse array of culinary delights and artisanal products. Bakers, brewers, butchers, and other local artisans bring their craft to the market, offering unique and high-quality goods. From freshly baked bread and pastries to homemade jams, local honey, and handcrafted soaps, the market becomes a treasure trove of flavors and craftsmanship. Exploring these stalls encourages consumers to expand their culinary horizons, experiment with new ingredients, and savor the creativity of local producers.

4. Fostering Community Engagement:

Farmers markets serve as community gathering spaces, fostering social connections and a sense of belonging. They provide an opportunity to interact with farmers, fellow shoppers, and local vendors, creating a vibrant atmosphere of camaraderie. Farmers markets often feature live music, cooking demonstrations, and educational workshops, enriching the experience and offering a platform for community learning. Sharing recipes, exchanging cooking tips, or simply engaging in friendly conversation cultivates a deeper appreciation for the food we consume and the people who produce it, strengthening the bonds within the community.

Farmers markets are more than just a place to buy fresh produce; they are vibrant hubs that celebrate the joys of local agriculture, culinary exploration, and community engagement. By supporting farmers markets, we embrace sustainability, nurture our local economy, and savor the abundance of flavors and experiences they offer. So, let's explore the delights of farmers markets and bask in the rich tapestry of freshness and community they provide.

Why Shop at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market?

Calgary has plenty of options for farmers’ markets, and new ones are popping up all the time. So what makes HSCA’s farmers’ market special?

Hyper Local

Approved Alberta Farmers Markets must maintain a “Made, Baked, or Grown” ratio of 80%. That means 4 of every 5 vendors must sell Albertan products that they, their staff, or their family members have created. For the past 5 years, the HSCA Farmers’ Market has had an MBG ratio of at least 90%, and this number has improved every year. In 2022, 97% of vendors were selling locally produced goods!

Meet the Maker

Compared to other Calgary markets, the vast majority of vendors at the HSCA Farmers’ Market were directly responsible for creating the goods they sell, rather than hiring staff members to do it for them. This means they literally stand behind their products, and can answer any questions about how they’re made!

Save the Environment and Support the Local Economy

Because the HSCA Farmers’ Market is truly local, you can be certain that your dollars are going back into the local economy. Shopping from local producers also reduces your ecological footprint, because goods don’t have to be shipped huge distances before arriving on the shelf, as they often are in big-box grocery stores.

Although times are difficult right now for most of us, the benefits of shopping local have never been more important!

Summer Farmers’ Market Special Event Schedule:

• July 5: Anniversary Market (More details to come, follow us on Instagram and Facebook)

• August 16: Local Food Week

• September 6: Salsa Fest