Ottawa's Farmer's Market at Lansdowne Park is Ottawa's only "all local producers" farmers' market. That is, there are no resellers permitted. Located on the grounds beside the Aberdeen Pavilion, it also happens to be one of our larger Farmer's Markets and opens to quite a crowd at least twice a week.

• Sundays (May 10- November 22: 8:00 pm-3:00pm)
• Saturdays (November 7, 14, and 12: 8:00 am-3:00pm)
• Thursdays (June 18-October 8: 1:00 pm-6:00 pm)

Best of all, besides selling great produce, dairy, and meats, the Farmer's Market also sells baked goods, crafts, sweets, and plants. It has a food court too.

That said, I would like to take the opportunity to point out that on the Ottawa Farmers' Market board of director sits Gerry Rochon, owner of one of my favourite local farms. He and his family happen to sell some of the best produce at three of Ottawa's major outdoor markets: Parkdale (resellers allowed), ByWard (resellers allowed), and Lansdowne. And, Rochon is always the first to market with an impossible assortment of produce every spring because they start several crops in multiple poly tunnels when there's still snow on the ground.

Here are pics from Jenn and I first visiting the market early June. Sadly, we live a bit too far away to make the trip too often. Instead, we rely on Savour Ottawa certified vendors at two other outdoor markets, Parkdale and Byward.

Upon arrival,

Sign from the parking lot
we immediately went to see a familiar face, Pascale Berthiaume and sampled some of her (then) new Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Goat Cheese Espresso Ice Cream
Slightly thicker and richer than her regular ice cream, it carried flavours extremely well. Unfortunately, my first sample fell to the ground before making it into my mouth. Seeing me almost in tears, Pascale gave me another.

Beside Pascale's freezer, which is co-located with the Piggy Market display, was Delice Royal, a "Fine Bakery"

Delice Royal
There, we samples some freshly baked apple raisin cake

Apple Raisin Cake
and purchased some vegetable spring rolls

Veg Spring Roll
Crispy and slightly oily, they didn't last long.

Cross Section

We then ventured into the food court, finding a potato stand, serving...well potato products...

Hot Potato Company

We stopped at the Bombay Garden for another deep fried confection.

Signage

Veg Samosas and Pakoras
We split a pakora.

One Pakora

Cross Section

More follows:

After some browsing, we found ourselves drawn to BearBrook Farm, purveyors of fine game meats. I often see the name on restaurant menus at some of Ottawa's fine dining establishments.

Signage
There, a very friendly Gerald Dagenais tempted us with roasted wild boar

Gerald Dagenais
Instead, we opted for a venison stew

Venison Stew
Powerfully flavoured, we found the stewed venison somewhat harsh and took it home. We served it on rice with vegetables the next day.

Speaking of which, one of the accompanying vegetables was incredibly fresh baby spinach,

Baby Spinach
which we purchased from McGregor's Produce

Signage

On our way out we passed stall upon stall eventually going by Ottawa Valley Honey and Hall's Apple Market

Ottawa Valley Honey's Stall

Recognizing Hall's, I reminded Jenn that we have purchased their products before from ByWard. Our favourite being their apple cinnamon buns:

Hall's Apple Cinnamon Buns

Cross Section

Here is their pamphlet with directions:

Front

Back

All in all, visiting the Ottawa Farmers' Market turned out to be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It also happened to be family friendly, seeing as we came by many families with young children

I should note that Chef Dave Neil from the Piggy Market (400 Winston Avenue) recommends going to the Ottawa Farmers' Market at 8:00 am, when it opens and a complementary brunch is served. It is then that the market is most abundant and you will be spoiled for choice.

Bookmark with: