Bench Creek Brewing has been part of our Market Family since winter of 2017. AGLC recently allowed Farmers' Market to sell craft beer, and we are so excited to be able to offer their unique brews as part of our line-up. These brewers from Edison definitely aren't lacking in creativity and can hook you up with a variety of beers for your summer patio drinking needs. Find them at market this week and learn more about their business below...
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Bench Creek Brewing is a home-based microbrewery in Yellowhead County, AB 10km outside of Edson on the Yellowhead highway. the 5000 sq. ft. facility sits at the Apex of an acreage in the foothills of Northern Alberta. We have a 1000 sq. ft. patio that overlooks the forest in our backyard. Literally. There is a brewery and a forest in our backyard.
What is your business?
Bench Creek Brewing handcrafts award-winning ales, and now lagers that are unfiltered, unpasteurized, and uncompromised by cost saving measures that affect the quality of our beers. We do not filter or pasteurize because we feel those techniques strip the products of their character, and flavour. Everything that we do is for the beers we produce. They are made with intention, so that each beer you consume is no accident of fate, but designed to be a delightful trip for the senses.
How long have you been producing?
We have been producing our products for 2.5 years, and our products are now sold in 3 different provinces (MB, SK, AB)
Why did you decide to start your business?
We didn’t like the beers we were being served in the early 2010’s. With the AGLC rules governing the production limits in Alberta changing overnight in late 2013, it was enough of a push to build a 5000 sq. ft production facility, and starting making our beers they way we want them to be served, out of a brewery in our backyard. Again, Literally.
What makes you so passionate about local enterprise?
We feel that local breweries deserve the support of their consumers, but we also feel that businesses making the very best products in the province also deserve support. We may not be a calgary based brewery, but we’re passionate about what Alberta can produce, and casing that on the world stage. #supportlocal #SupportGood #DrinkLocal #drinkGood
Why did you choose Farmers' Markets to sell your products?
To tell our story. We may be growing larger, and available on more store shelves, but we have an oppurtunity to explain our vision and our past by hand selling each 4-pack to consumers. We feel we have a pretty engaging story, one that we can’t always tell, when you go to a liquor store.
What is your favourite thing about the HSCA Farmers' Market?
The people at the market, both sellers and buyers. At this market, the passion behind it from everyone in the community is palpable, and it’s contagious.
Tell us something exciting that is upcoming for you and your business!
We’re about to start creating some of the most challenging recipes that a brewer can make… LAGERS! look for Pilsners, Kolschs, and Ambers coming to HSCA Market SOON
Where else can customers find your products?
Liquor depot, Sobeys, COOP, Real Canadian Liquor Store, Willow Park, and most of the mom and pop shops around town! Best part about this industry is if you can’t find it, you can ask ANY liquor store to bring us on their shelves.
Facebook: @benchcreekbrewing
Instagram: @benchcreekbrewing
Twitter: @benchcreekbrew
benchcreekbrewing.com
Vendor Profile | Pot and Kettle
Dawson and Irene are new to the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market and already fit right in! You might see them with a baby at their booth, or sampling one of their amazing soups, sauces, or weekly specials. Their passion for local and high-quality food is obvious- their fresh pasta is a must try!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
We are Dawson and Irene Holloway and we’re the couple behind Pot and Kettle. Dawson is the #moodychef who creates and cooks all our delicious recipes (sometimes he cleans too!). I am the office admin gal and stay at home mom of 2 girls: Nora, 3 and Sadie, 8 months. Family and food are the most important things to us, and Pot and Kettle is our third baby. We are so excited to bring our delicious food to the markets this summer and have big plans for the years to come!
What is your business?
We make delicious, gourmet soups, sauces and stocks. We have a large variety of frozen options, as well as a fresh weekly feature or two. We also sell two varieties of fresh pasta. We are committed to using local, ethically raised meat, and fresh local produce which we buy directly from the farmers.
How long have you been producing?
We are brand new this year! And we are so excited to be joining 4 markets this summer, with big plans in mind for the coming winter!
Why did you decide to start your business?
Dawson has been passionate about food his whole life. He spends all his time in the kitchen. Dawson shows his love for his family and friends by feeding them delicious, locally inspired meals. Over beers one night, we decided it was high time he bring this labour of love to the people of Calgary. We are so passionate about eating local and supporting small enterprise, it only made sense to join the food community of Calgary!
What makes you so passionate about local enterprise?
Because we like putting money into the pockets of people who are like us, not faceless corporations whose only concern is the bottom line.
How long have you been part of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market?
We are brand new, and so excited to be a part of the family!
Why did you choose Farmers' Markets to sell your products?
We love shopping at farmers’ markets. Especially Dawson, because he knows that the farmers’ market is where you find the best food! We believe that by selling prepared food made with local, ethical ingredients we are the link between farmer and foodie.
What is your favourite thing about the HSCA Farmers' Market?
It’s focus on building a Good Food Community.
Tell us something exciting that is upcoming for you and your business!
It’s our first season, so this is all new and exciting! We can’t wait to get going and meet our customers!
Where else can customers find your products?
Grassroots Farmers’ Market
Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market
Farmers and Makers Market at cSPACE
Where can customers go to find more information about your products?
Follow our Social Media @potandkettleyyc or find us online at Potandkettleyyc.com
Outdoor Season Opener - May 16, 2018
Special Event Poster Submissions
We are currently accepting submissions for our outdoor season special event posters. Submit a design for any of the following special events we have planned this summer for your opportunity to be the featured artist.
If your submission is selected, your design will be used to market the event around the community, and you will have the opportunity to display more of your work in our Welcome Tent on the day of the special event. We look to showcase local artists and connect you with our community of supportive, conscious shoppers.
Once the designs are selected, the Market Coordinator will work with you to incorporate event details into the poster. By submitting your design, you agree to allow the HSCA and Farmers' Market to use and distribute the design at their discretion.
Special Events:
Outdoor Season Opener- A street-style party to celebrate emerging from our winter hibernation! Community will connect with 'local' through a variety of activities.
Pollinator Party- A showcase of pollinators and plants to teach our community about the important role that pollinators play in our every day life.
Teddy Bear Picnic- A market specifically designed for kids of our community and their fuzzy friends!
Community Craft Showcase- Where artists and craft beer collide! A party to celebrate the local crafters in beer and otherwise.
Salsa Fest- Our annual vendor salsa competition heats up the end of August with salsa dance lessons and spicy condiments.
Harvest Fair- A community competition for the tastiest tomato, ugliest vegetable, and more!
Outdoor Season Send-off- A celebration of our outdoor season and all the fun we had together this season!
Deadline to submit is April 30, 2018
Please submit designs to Heather at heather.r@hsca.ca or mail to
Attn: Heather Ramshaw
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
1320 5 Ave NW Calgary, AB
T2N 0S2
Vendor Profile | Deanna Russell of Nature Notes
Deanna Russell of Nature Notes is a certified aromatherapist and creative soul! With a deep awareness for the toxins present in commercially available products, she seeks to provide an alternative for those concerned with their personal chemical load. Not only are her products delicate yet effective, her use of essential oils and hand-blended concoctions are a treat for any nose!
Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I have always loved mixing up various concoctions since I was a small child- little did I know that one day I would make a living doing this, and helping others too!
I started by making my own line of natural skin care. I didn't like the idea of putting a lot of chemicals onto my (very) sensitive skin, plus I'm allergic to a LOT of beauty products. It turns out that many of my clients deal with sensitive skin issues too.
Essential oils are so lovely- and since I got my own distilling machine, I love making them too. I even have my own herb garden bed for growing different plants for harvesting. They usually either end up in one of my tea blends, or available as a hydrosol.
Q: Why do you choose Farmers' Markets to sell your products?
A: I didn't want to have a store front, but needed a location that is available to customers year round. The Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market allows me that.
Q: Why is it important to you to support local?
A: I can really appreciate all the hard work that people put into growing their business. When you work for yourself, you wear a lot of hats... the people that tend to go to Farmers' Markets seem to get that.
Q: What do you love most about your HSCA Farmers' Market community?
A: The people! There is some serious quality around here.
Q: Tell us something exciting that is up and coming for your business!
A: I also teach workshops and courses for those interested in learning about aromatherapy and natural skin care- I now offer 4 different online courses- check them out on my website!
Find them online, on Instagram and at our market every Wednesday!
