To foodies, there is no better source of fresh seasonal produce than farmers' markets. Where else can you find regional fresh fruits and vegetables that spend more of their lives on the vine than on trucks from Mexico? There is nothing sweeter than field picked berries or freshly harvested tomatoes. The produce even smells better. These days, farmer's markets even specialize in selling organic produce and re-introducing heirloom varieties of vegetables to consumers.

Another reason to visit farmer's markets has to do with the salmonella outbreak from contaminated spinach a year ago. The contaminated spinach came from a single source. The fact that a single source of produce resulted in continent-wide recalls demonstrates a serious issue with mass produced fruits and vegetables: single point of failure. Farmers' markets provide a solution by giving consumers a source of local fruits and vegetables.

Ottawa has two large congregations of farmers' markets. These are the Byward Market and the Parkdale Market.

Byward Market
Conveniently located in the downtown core, the Byward Market consists of high-end eateries, a Byward "Square", and dozens of fresh fruit and vegetable stalls. These stalls sell everything from home grown staples as tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and onions to field picked berries, maple syrup, and potted plants. By August there is even peaches and cream corn.

The following is a picture of one of the many stalls.

Word to Live By

Parkdale Market
The Parkdale Market sells the same produce as the Byward Market. It is located on the corner of Parkdale and Wellington, just past the gas station. Just as the Byward Market sells its wares to downtown Ottawa residents, the Parkdale Market caters to Wellington Village residents. This is me and my better half's source of fresh fruits and vegetables in the spring, summer, and early autumn months. We actually forgo visiting the mega-marts for produce. The prices of fruits and vegetables at the Parkdale Market are more than competitive. Besides, we try to buy produce as locally as possible.

By August, some vendors in the Parkdale Market even sell field grown red and yellow flesh water melons from Quebec.

The following are pictures of the Parkdale Market during summer.

Summer at the Parkdale Market

Field Picked Berries

The following are pictures of the Parkdale Market during autumn.

Autumn at the Parkdale Market

Pumpkins Galore

Visit a Farmer's market. You will support local farms and, more importantly, safer eating.