MARKET MUSINGS
Thoughts and news from the market team.
HSFM | Land Blessing to Welcome New Season
Land Blessing to Welcome New Season of Farmers’ Market
Photo courtesy of @alphahousecalgary
Originally posted to the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association blog on June 21st in collaboration with the HS Farmers’ Market.
A land blessing was held at the HSCA prior to opening the 2021 Outdoor Season. As farmers and food producers, we are deeply connected to the Land. Our relationship to the Land supports our families and communities. We acknowledge and honour those who have been and continue to be stewards of these Lands since time immemorial. The intention of this blessing is to hold space and build bridges with our Indigenous community members; this is the first of many upcoming opportunities to listen, to share, and to foster new connections.
The Blessing began with a smudge, then Elder Earnest Poundmaker gave thanks to the land and the peoples whose traditional territories on which we stand. These Lands hold the histories of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations; the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations, and the Tsuut'ina Nation families and Ancestors, and the Métis community, specifically the Métis Nation Region Three. Elder Poundmaker then offered a prayer in Cree language inviting others to participate in prayer however they choose to pray.
The singers from Stoney, Blood, and Cree Nations continued to offer prayer through four songs; one song to honour each of the four directions. During these songs, a crow crossed behind the singers. Wade Maude shared teachings about the significance of the crow:
The crow spirit is the embodiment of creator, keeper of natural law, and symbol of rebirth and change. This crow coming to join in song is a physical manifestation that creator is happy with what we are doing. The crow gives guidance from creator to indicate that we are on the right path.
Strengthening relationships with Indigenous community members and knowledge holders is essential to building resilient communities and food systems. Building bridges and relationships will revitalize our communities and is important to our social, environmental, and economic wellbeing. It is our collective responsibility to continue stewardship of this Land for our communities and future generations.
In honour of Indigenous Heritage Month, we call on our communities to reflect on the teachings of this Blessing and engage in meaningful conversations. We invite you to share in the comments, or send your thoughts to Stephanie.c@hsca.ca
RESOURCES
The Calgary Foundation's Indigenous Ally Toolkit
Visit the TRC's Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The University of Alberta offers a free online course Indigenous Canada
Check out the National Film Board's (NFB) Indigenous Cinema page and check out their collection of Indigenous-made films
We encourage you to check out the #IndigenousReads reading list on the Government of Canada site AND this reading list on CBC
HSFM | Outdoor Season 2021
THE HILLHURST SUNNYSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET MOVES OUTDOORS FOR ANOTHER EPIC SUMMER SEASON
The Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market will be fully outdoors starting May 26th, 2021 from 3-7pm. Come meet the vendors for the 2021 outdoor season and kick off another summer of local discovery.
On Wednesday May 26th from 3-7pm we will be hosting the Outdoor Season Opener.
Come meet the 2021 outdoor vendor line-up full of amazing local makers, bakers, and growers. Be sure to check out the community booth to see what great work is being done in Hillhurst Sunnyside and beyond. Enjoy the spring weather while you shop through the market; engage with your local food system and support small local business!
Reasons to love the 2021 Outdoor Season
More vendors
Returning to our original date and time
More space to shop
Calgary Dollars Markets!
Support LOCAL and seasonal all year!
See you at the market!
HSFM | Vendor Feature: Mary Lamola
The following was originally posted to Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids blog on March 30 in collaboration with the HS Farmers’ Market.
“Mary is a member of the BB4CK delivery driver team – she has been volunteering since September 2020!
A delivery day for Mary starts by heading to the kitchen, picking up her route schedule, and the food that she needs to deliver. “[The route] is already planned and the way it is set up is good,” says Mary, so she starts from the first school and finishes up with the last delivery on the list.
Mary loves anything to do with food and helping out; she notes "with my nursing background, I also know the importance of nutrition in promoting good health. Food plays a big role in healing - from a simple gesture such as making a cup of tea for comfort to making a well-balanced meal to share with friends and family."
When her kids were little, she knew of folks that were volunteering but she didn’t have the opportunity to volunteer herself. When she was speaking with her children about wanting to volunteer, one told her about BB4CK, so she applied and then joined the BB4CK volunteer community shortly after that.
Mary’s love for connecting food and community is highlighted as Mary is also a weekly vendor at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA) Farmers’ Market! Mary’s cooking is authentic East African cuisine and her presence at the market is so welcoming and generous.
Seeing the vendors and community members build relationships over food is one of the best things about the farmer’s market. Mary is always open to sharing cuisine and stories with the community. Find Mary’s delicious creations at the HSCA Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 12-4PM. Mary’s Mandazi (African doughnuts) are a must try!
Mary likes to help the community; “I didn’t get a chance to do that when my kids were little. We know that kids are the base of the community, and we need to feed them. I thought, this is my chance to help out the children in our community.”
When she drops off the bins of lunches at each school, she is always happy to see the kids who are in the school going about their routine (from a distance of course) knowing that she is helping them out and ensuring that the kids in that school are fed.
On her first day of driving, she said, “the first day you’re always worried, just like the first day of work or school, you’re nervous!” Although that first shift may have taken a bit longer with a couple of bumps in the road, Mary is now a seasoned professional and we are so grateful for her efforts to ensure that each lunch made with love gets to the child who needs it.
Mary really enjoys her volunteer role as a delivery driver, and when things start going back to normal, she is interested in spending more time in the kitchen and learning about the processes there. For now, she’ll continue to support BB4CK’s delivery efforts out in the Calgary community. Thank you, Mary, for all that you do!”
Mary’s Jikoni: Instagram: @marys_jikoni Facebook: Mary’s Jikoni
BB4CK: Instagram @bb4ck Facebook: Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids
HSFM | Five Plant Based Market Finds
Simple changes can have significant impact. Our vendors make plant based eating simple and delicious!
Five easy plant based meals from the Market!
1. Mary’s Jikon
The mung bean wrap is one of Mary’s newest creations. Mung beans, red peppers and the perfect blend of spices all wrapped into a delicious pocket to warm you from the inside out, leaving you feeling recharged and satisfied. Come say hi to Mary every week at market!
2. Shammi’s Kitchen
Coming home to be greeted by an easy dinner of Daal from Shammi’s Kitchen is the warmest homecoming! A delicious combination of authentic North Indian ingredients lovingly brought from Shammi’s Kitchen to yours! Shammi has been a long time vendor at our market for a reason!
3. Gr8 Thai Sauce
Looking for authentic Thai? One of our newer vendors Chef TJ has become an instant local favourite. TJ’s creations make authentic Thai cuisine easy, made by you at home! The options are endless with this delicious assortment of curries and sauces. Come say hi to TJ and try a new Gr8 Thai Sauce every week at market!
4. Plantbased Footprint
What is vegan queso? It’s what you never knew you needed in your life. Creamy, rich locally sourced vegan goodness! Ninety five percent of ingredients are locally sourced. Maintaining local community is central to Plantbased Footprint’s values. From homemade Mac and Cheese, to nachos, to Mexican fusion dishes this is a delicious way to add some serious richness to your dishes. To all our environmentally conscious, or lactose intolerant friends, this is the answer you’ve been looking for. Keep an eye on our social media for when you can find Plantbased Footprint at market!
5. Ariya Burmese
You’ve got to try Burmese cuisine! Black bean patties and yellow pea patties: a delicious snack, mini vegan burger, or salad topping. The perfect blend of spice and sweet for a heart-warming snack that keeps you full! Burmese cuisine is perfect for local trekkers looking for a nutritious satisfying snack on the trail. Find Ariya Burmese every week at market!
Share some plant based meals and support local, it’s good for you and the environment! Every week we offer creations from your local makers, bakers and growers!
HSFM | Five Market Finds to Share Some Love
With the day of love approaching, here are 5 market inspired ideas to share the love!
Nothing says “I love you” like hot savoury pie! Ma Pies are meticulously created by Corey Ma, a professional patisserie chef trained in Montreal. Come practice your French (the language of love) and pick up some delicious pies for dinner made easy!
Valentines wouldn’t be complete without a sweet treat. Lemonberry pastries are beautifully crafted selection of treats from cupcakes to cookies, macarons and more! Find your perfect gift at market!
Frozen Assets has frozen treats for everyone and their dog! With new flavours always in the works, surprise your loved ones with Frozen Assets’ impressive selection of vegan creations and ice cream classics! Make yourself a date with a pint of Frozen Assets!
Looking for drinks for two? Skip the champagne and head to SunnyCider for the limited release Oak Aged Cider. Cheers to the delicious bubbles, but locally sourced!
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so be sure to take care of yourself first! Nothing says true love like self-care. Nature Notes Aromatherapy is naturally skincare and essential oils by clinically trained aromatherapist Deanna. Hand crafted essential oils, creams, balms, skin care and massage oils for you and those you love!
Share the love this February by supporting your local makers, bakers and growers! We’ll be at market every week giving you reasons to love your community!