Old Strathcona Farmers' Market

At my first time here, this place is very crowded. so many people here. This place open every Saturday 8AM- 3PM. There are many Great fresh organic fruit and vegetables. You can try many sample that vendors offered. Not only food, there were also some hand made goods, crafts, and other unique items. There is a washroom in the back of this market. Many items are quite expensive but its worth. There is a parking lot across the street offering 2 hours free parking.

Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Have some interesting vendors with foods that we aren't aware of. Bought some Jamaican chilli sauce, fruits and vegetables. Got 2 hrs free parking across the street.

What a FABULOUS way to spend my birthday roaming the wonderful Scona Market!! Such a lively market with so many things to see!! So many interesting booths to buy from!! The treats! Veggies! Jewelry! and so much more!! Wow wow!! It wasn't overly busy the last hour we caught of the market which was great!! People were friendly and happy so we enjoyed our walk around!

You will like it if you believe in promoting local flavors, produce and home made items. The place is big but get very crowded. Items are expensive but worth promoting home grown businesses. Everything looks very appealing. Keep a track of your spending as u can easily spend hundreds if u don’t watch ur spending. I didn’t find fresh berries during my visit and it was the only disappointment. There is a parking lot across the street offering 2 hours free parking in case parking is your concern.

First time visiting this Farmers Market and was it ever busy. Great destination if you love fresh organic fruit, meat and vegetables. An assortment of fresh baked goods and dessert. Many vendors offered samples which was a great way to try them. There were some vendors selling hand made goods such as jewelry, bags and other unique items. Open Saturdays 8am-3pm only. There is a small cafe that serves up foods sold at the market for reasonable prices but service is a bit slow since it’s the only place that is a restaurant. One washroom located near the cafe so it was busy as well. They do have an app you can download to find the list of vendors at the market.

As Shakespeare would say.. "Verily, the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market doth present itself as a delightful trove of fresh harvest, dairy, and rustic comestibles. This lively marketplace doth exude an earthly plenty, proffering an array of untainted farm-fresh provisions that would set any gastronome's heart aflutter. From crisped, locally sown vegetables to luscious, handcrafted cheeses, the excellence and diversity presented are beyond compare. What distinguishes this emporium is its close kinship to the yeomen who labor to bring forth these doleful yet exquisite offerings. Handcrafted soap, like artisanal alchemy, doth cleanse and soothe. Fine wines and delectable deli fare, a feast fit for royalty, await thee. 'Tis an earthly abundance that speaks of toil by honest yeomen, who bring forth these wares with melancholic devotion. Verily, this market invites thee to partake in the fruits of their labor, forging connections and gratitude for life's simple pleasures. A must-visit, where the earth's rich offerings sing in sweet harmony. One canst commune with those very hands that till the soil, cultivating a sense of fellowship and thanksgiving for life's humble pleasures. A pilgrimage it must be for all who yearn for an unblemished taste of virtuous sustenance "

Always a treat to spend a Saturday morning wandering through this market! We have a few favourite vendors we return to see regularly, and always enjoy trying new things. Great place to find local products and love shopping here for little gifts.

Neat little market for vendors to sell goods. "Farmers Market" is a stretch as most of the vendors here are resellers of grocery then some are real crafts people that sell goods they made. Small cafe near the end and some places to sit. This place is clear and with free outside parking near by.

At my first time here, this place is very crowded. so many people here. This place open every Saturday 8AM- 3PM. There are many Great fresh organic fruit and vegetables. You can try many sample that vendors offered. Not only food, there were also some hand made goods, crafts, and other unique items. There is a washroom in the back of this market. Many items are quite expensive but its worth. There is a parking lot across the street offering 2 hours free parking.

Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Have some interesting vendors with foods that we aren't aware of. Bought some Jamaican chilli sauce, fruits and vegetables. Got 2 hrs free parking across the street.

What a FABULOUS way to spend my birthday roaming the wonderful Scona Market!! Such a lively market with so many things to see!! So many interesting booths to buy from!! The treats! Veggies! Jewelry! and so much more!! Wow wow!! It wasn't overly busy the last hour we caught of the market which was great!! People were friendly and happy so we enjoyed our walk around!

You will like it if you believe in promoting local flavors, produce and home made items. The place is big but get very crowded. Items are expensive but worth promoting home grown businesses. Everything looks very appealing. Keep a track of your spending as u can easily spend hundreds if u don’t watch ur spending. I didn’t find fresh berries during my visit and it was the only disappointment. There is a parking lot across the street offering 2 hours free parking in case parking is your concern.

First time visiting this Farmers Market and was it ever busy. Great destination if you love fresh organic fruit, meat and vegetables. An assortment of fresh baked goods and dessert. Many vendors offered samples which was a great way to try them. There were some vendors selling hand made goods such as jewelry, bags and other unique items. Open Saturdays 8am-3pm only. There is a small cafe that serves up foods sold at the market for reasonable prices but service is a bit slow since it’s the only place that is a restaurant. One washroom located near the cafe so it was busy as well. They do have an app you can download to find the list of vendors at the market.

As Shakespeare would say.. "Verily, the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market doth present itself as a delightful trove of fresh harvest, dairy, and rustic comestibles. This lively marketplace doth exude an earthly plenty, proffering an array of untainted farm-fresh provisions that would set any gastronome's heart aflutter. From crisped, locally sown vegetables to luscious, handcrafted cheeses, the excellence and diversity presented are beyond compare. What distinguishes this emporium is its close kinship to the yeomen who labor to bring forth these doleful yet exquisite offerings. Handcrafted soap, like artisanal alchemy, doth cleanse and soothe. Fine wines and delectable deli fare, a feast fit for royalty, await thee. 'Tis an earthly abundance that speaks of toil by honest yeomen, who bring forth these wares with melancholic devotion. Verily, this market invites thee to partake in the fruits of their labor, forging connections and gratitude for life's simple pleasures. A must-visit, where the earth's rich offerings sing in sweet harmony. One canst commune with those very hands that till the soil, cultivating a sense of fellowship and thanksgiving for life's humble pleasures. A pilgrimage it must be for all who yearn for an unblemished taste of virtuous sustenance "

Always a treat to spend a Saturday morning wandering through this market! We have a few favourite vendors we return to see regularly, and always enjoy trying new things. Great place to find local products and love shopping here for little gifts.

Neat little market for vendors to sell goods. "Farmers Market" is a stretch as most of the vendors here are resellers of grocery then some are real crafts people that sell goods they made. Small cafe near the end and some places to sit. This place is clear and with free outside parking near by.

It was very nice, there was millet for the dogs, dog food, dog clothes, there was meat, kimchi, fruit, pastries, pickles, clothes, sweets! It's just a bummer that you can't enter with dogs

As one of the big ticket items to visit in Edmonton, we had to stop by before heading to our next destination. The farmers market itself isn't as large, however the area around had many other art vendors, food vendors, and other things to see. Luckily we came on Saturday, which is the day that the farmers market is open. They had many vendors which was very crowded and busy. They had vendors for all sorts of things from fruit, cheese, two flowers, two meats, two others as well. It's definitely something interesting to take a look at if you're not used to seeing many farmers markets. What made it especially cool was that they had a large variety of things to try what you could snack on, or even take home. It was free to go so is really cool to just take a look around and see what they had to offer. However it was difficult to find parking as it was busy, and street and parking itself was very limited.

I love the vibe of this Farmer's Market! The majority of the market is indoors and it's free to come inside. You can buy many types of fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, pastries, candies, plants and so much more! They also have a huge assortment of unique crafts and specialty products here. My family loves the delicious cakes from Andy's Country Kitchen. Our favourite flavours are the Malibu Rum and the Kahlua cakes. These cakes are moist and so flavourful. For those who don't like alcohol flavoured cakes, they also have a lot of other non alcohol flavoured cakes to choose from. Our family has enjoyed these cakes on many special occasions! It's become somewhat of a tradition. We've even given them as gifts. I definitely recommend tasting these cakes! I don't drink coffee but I know my sister and brother in law regularly buy the Perfecto Domingo coffee (ground for French Press) at Catfish Coffee Roasters. They love quality and they buy here all the time. When they can't come to the market, they often ask me to buy a buy this coffee for them. This vendor also has many other flavours to choose from. Over time, it's easy to develop a routine on visiting particular vendors here. However, I sometimes try to change things up and buy products from the other booths. There are really so many things to discover here. I love coming to the Farmer's markets because it is a wonderful way to support local businesses. The food is fresh and often times organic. It's definitely a fun way to spend time on a Saturday!

I want it to be clear that during normal times, I love the Old Strathcona Market. They have a great selection of vendors, plenty of space to sit and have a snack, and often live entertainment. I live in the neighbourhood and always look forward to my visits. However, I have been pretty disappointed by my visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. They could be doing so much more to help their customers feel safe and I honestly don't know if I'll be back until this is over especially when there are other markets such as Bountiful and Downtown that are doing a much better job. The biggest thing they could do that would make a huge difference would be having directional arrows to control the flow of traffic. Even with reduced occupancy, the aisles are pretty tight and it doesn't help having people walking in opposite directions. Since the pandemic started, this is the only place I have had people physically bump into me and it was super uncomfortable. Another suggestion would be taping off space in front of the booths designated for browsing rather than walking. They are doing a decent job controlling the entrance lines but I would argue they could also stand to let fewer people in at a time. Yes, they are likely following the legal requirements but given how narrow some of the spaces are, doing the bare minimum isn't good enough.

I love this Farmer's Market! Every time I go there I can't stop myself from buying delicious stuff. I love the Bison products, elk products, all kinds of meat, vegetables and fruits! I have bought golden beets from there that I haven't seen anywhere else in the city. I have also bought purple flesh potatoes which is hard to find. I love the kimchi I can get there and the bakery products are pretty good too. Overall I haven't seen anything there that I don't like or I haven't tried!

The hunnybunny has been coming to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market for a long, long time, so it was a double pleasure when she chose to share it with me. I grew up in farmers' markets in New Jersey; think full-sized barrels of sour pickles and whatever came off the farm last week. The market has both vendors and farmers: there's home-made pillows, wall hangings, jewelry, and my favorites, the food. There's veggies and fruits from vendors in Alberta and BC, eggs & chickens from the Hutterites, pirogues and other delicacies from the old country, the best pork products ever, fancied olives with all sorts of stuffings, the Greek couple who beckon the market-goers with compliments and entreaties to try their delicious tzadziki, the cheese curd ladies, and dozens more including several vendors offering game meats, from duck to bison. There's also some prepared food and coffee for sale at the far end of the market. The market is worth visiting for the homey old-town feeling alone, and the fresh-from-farm staples and prepared foods make a cornerstone to our fridge. See you there!

I can't believe I haven't written a review of the Old Strathcona Famers Market (OSFM) yet! I have lived in Edmonton 20+ years now and have been going to this Farmer's Market pretty much since I moved here. The Market started in Edmonton in 1983 as small outdoor market with 10-15 vendors in what is now the current OSFM parking lot. They moved inside the old Bus Barns in 1986 and have expanded to over 130 vendors and 10,000 visitors each week. For many years OSFM was the biggest and best Farmers Market in Edmonton. The Market scene has really exploded in the last 10 years though. Now there is one almost everyday of the week and in all quadrants of the City. I love the location of this market mostly because it is so convenient for me. It is close enough to home that I can get there very quickly but it is also far enough that traffic and street congestion do not impact me (until I get there). I think it is great that there is free parking for the market, although maybe if it wasn't free there would be less traffic congestion and more people would walk, bike, LRT, streetcar to the market. The vendors here are all top notch. I have visited every booth and bought something from the majority of them throughout the years. I give the vendors 5 stars! But to review the overall market I have to address a few things I don't like as well. Some of the things I don't like: 1. How crowded it is during peak hours. Coming first thing in the morning or near closing is the best time to avoid the huge crowds. 2. Free Parking. It's good and bad. I think charging for parking would solve some of the Saturday traffic issues in the area. 3. More bike racks required! Strathcona is such a multi-modal community. Install more bike racks as they are always full full full. and finally... 4. It is only open 1 day per week. I think the OSFM is throwing away a huge opportunity to keep to the 1 day per week model. With a secure building they could easily expand to a few days a week. Some of the vendors may not like this model but I think there would be some vendors that could thrive with that schedule. It would also help increase foot traffic to the surrounding business district. I think it would be a win-win for the OSFM and the Old Strathcona business area. With all of the new housing developments opening in the area the Market could have huge potential for regular shoppers. It would be great if they could do 1 weekend and 1 week night to start. Even expand outside into a night market of sorts. I'm giving the OSFM 3 stars not because I don't like the Market but because of the wasted potential. I'd love to see this market thrive and not be same ole thing.

Went to the market today for vegetables and herbs and left with so much more. Riverbend Gardens had herbs in pots, but they also had some beautiful flowers in pots and in hanging pots. Yes, I bought one and yes it was $45, but the colors are amazing. We also had lunch at the market and I had a wonderfully satisfying Vietnamese Beef Red Wine Stew. My husband had a large cinnamon bun with cream cheese icing. It was so busy that I held a spot while he got his food and then he held a spot while I got my food. By the time I got back, his large bun was half gone so sorry, no picture of the bun. It was extremely busy, so it was hard for walking and carrying purchases, but wonderful for people watching and for seeing big smiles.

It's the thing to do on a Saturday morning in Edmonton....and I'm surprised that we woke up early enough to visit. They are located in what seemed to be a nice part of Edmonton with lots of shops and restaurants. They have all kinds of fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, plants and stuff that I've never seen. Samples are available...and as a Yelper, I took and ate many. It's an interesting place. It's free. What's not to like about it?

Love farmers markets! The freshness! The full tastiness! So raw! So delicious! So many neat stands/home businesses that it still blows my mind And I'm super glad this is one of the few that are open year-round, but obviously summer is the bestest Very convenient location in the Strathcona area, at the heart of a ton of festivals and events and random day items. You can shop for just about everything here which is great! I like this location over downtown with having more available parking in the vicinity. *My favourite place here is the Steve & Dans BC fruits always got nummy things ready to eat and some other new items they've recently created (You have to go check them out to find out lol ) Also the kettle corn stand outside the building is fantastic! Love love the bags of crunchy tasty fluffed popcorns drizzled in sweetness I still drive all the way from Sherwood Park to this market because I enjoy it so much, and some of the people at particular stands are such great characters

I can't stand the crowds. Strollers hitting you in the back of the leg. Getting stabbed with a toddler's ice cream cone. I like supporting local growers and vendors, but ever since my grocer started carrying many of the same items, I buy them at the store. If I happen to be walking by near the end of the day when the traffic has slowed, I'll look in just to check it out. I really haven't purchased anything in years.

Yes, stuff tends to be pricy but often unique and fresh. For instance, Kimchi stand is fresher than anything in stores. And they give you credit for returning bottles. Samples galore throughout the market. I get catgrass (wheatgrass) at a stand for sprouts on the right side aisle at a great deal. Russian garlic (large and purple) is expensive at $4.50 per head but flavourful and worth the splurge. Also the Olive stand is great. Soma Mo jewelry on the left extreme aisle is unique. Every time I wear her work, I get compliments. No one can believe I got it at a farmers market. Parking is easy. Fruit is much better in summer. Now stands for wine, liquor and beer. Samples here, too! Areas for improvement: Given current size of Edmonton, it should support the market being open more than just Saturday. High end cheese stand would be a welcome addition.

I used to like the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, it felt like a special event and an Edmonton institution. But Edmonton is changing, and the market is not. It's ridiculous that it's only open on Saturdays. It has its own huge building taking up tons of space in a prime area, and 6 out of 7 days it just sits empty. Total waste of space! If Calgary can have a market that's open 2 or even 7 days of the week, what is the holdup here? Going and fighting the crowds on Saturday just to pay double price for stuff you could get at Superstore isn't worth it anymore. If it were open more days and the prices weren't so outrageous, I could see getting more use out of it. On top of that, the "farmers" who work at the booths have gotten cold and rude, they're grouchy old people who act like they're doing you a favour by being there! They don't answer questions politely, some of them are unkempt and have stains on their clothes that make me question the cleanliness of their food. In fact I was in the bathroom there not long ago and some old woman was really, how should I say, "releasing the beast" in the stall next to me, and then I saw her come out of the stall and not wash her hands and go right back to her stand selling preserves by the ATM!! Disgusting! Maybe that explains how I got food poisoning after a visit to the market last month, I was on the toilet all night long sweating like a whore in church! If you want to pay a fortune for food you could get cheaper anywhere else, or buy junky pieces of wood that cost $300 because some old man thinks he's an "artisan," and you can make yourself available to do so for only half of one day every week, then the OSFM is for you. For my money though, I think it's time for the market to grow up like the city is, or get the heck out!!

A relatively large market just South of downtown Edmonton, Old Strathcona Farmer's Market is a great place to shop for Organic seasonal produce and locally-raised meats, at least one-hundred vendors and several-fold more patrons packing the place on Saturdays with bakers, crafters and more also accounted for. Stop in for everything from a cup of Coffee and live music plus Doughnuts from Moonshine to Duck Breast and locally made Pickles ready to be part of the night's feast.

Ahh, the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market. Sometimes I get brave enough to venture in here on a Saturday. It is located in a large building and runs all year long, which is amazing. There are a ton of vendors selling everything from fresh produce, baking, and frozen meats to soap, jewelry and flowers. There is even a little cafe in the back (who make a wicked flat white). My biggest issue with this market is how crowded it gets. It is so busy that you'll spend huge amounts of time stuck in a cluster of people. I think the aisles need to be a little wider! I find the prices to be quite reasonable on most items, and the vendors are all friendly and sweet. I usually buy some fresh produce from either the front or back corner, some fresh eggs, tzaziki sauce, bagels, and maybe another random treat. I would like to see more variety of vendors- more specialty items to create an even greater variety. We have so many amazing artists and crafts-people in Edmonton- I'd love to see some of them at this market!

I went to OSFM to torture myself today and to get to know what the market has to offer. It was torture because I am currently on the Master Cleanse that doesn't allow for any food. With all the booths offering free samples of their wares it took all the self control in the world to stay strong. While walking each isle I still wanted to research my options for my first meal after the cleanse. I found a few gems that I will be going back to: 1. Kim Chee Place - Korean cuisine that looks like it has some really tasty kimchi. They also have have gyoza's and a few canned spices. It's run by a real Korean family and I trust their food to be genuine. 2. Don Antonio's Mexican Food - This booth had fresh corn tortilla's in both large and small sizes. I love Mexican cuisine so I'll have to come back. Now a little bit of constructive criticism: I found that the prices for all products were atleast 15-25% higher than most places. I guess there is no tax added to the prices but I found it pretty steep. Especially the meat locations. Frozen packaged meat shouldn't be that expensive no matter how organic or far away it came from. Overall I will definitely be coming back to OSFM but I am looking forward to trying out other farmer's markets in the city to compare.

Whether you are going to grab weekly produce/food supplies or going to spend an hour tasting samples and visit with friends this place is a great spot for it! The parking lot across the street is free on Saturdays. This year round market has everything from seasonal produce, cheese, meat cuts, dried fruit and herbs, pre-made dips, nuts, honey, desserts to artisan wares. It has a little canteen and an area to sit down and people watch. Every time I've been there has been local musicians playing away as you shop. Remember.. earlier the better. It can get pretty busy and chaotic in there!

I love it here. I just always have and always will. There is something very special and homey about halls of this market. Not to mention the vendors. They are almost always so sweet and friendly and reminds me of small town living. The quality of the products are top notch as well. I get my staples here, love the Hutterites eggs and veg, the BC fruit stands in the front, and my fav is the little Greek man who is forever shouting compliments and niceities to anyone who will taste his Tzatziki. This place is a gem and if you miss it, you can't really say you have been to Edmonton.

I enjoy going to the farmers market and seeing all of the different items being sold! Produce, meats, jewelry, pastries, pasta, salsas, woodcarving, and linens- it's all there. I like to get my gourmet mustards and sausages from here. And finally there is a new vendor that sells nut butters! There is a cafe in the front that sells breakfast and coffee. The food was just OKAY for us. If you want pizza or lemonade, there is another cafe in the rear of the building. Finding a place to park is PAIN!

Talk about doing something nice on a Saturday morning. The Old Strath. market is a lively market to spend your Sat. morning browsing through the various fresh vegetable shops, speciality goods (I bought chimichurri sauce today) and so on, whilst drinking a cup of coffee. Of course, I live quite close to the market and nothing makes me happier than to find myself free on a Saturday morning to go down and get some fresh fruits, vegetables and bread for a good quality brunch at home! Of course, in summer there are a lot more options of fresh produce, however I do agree with Jessica L.'s review that the downtown market is quite a bit better. Given that the Strath market is open through the year, I still give it a 4* rating owing to its viability. Although the downtown market's better, I still think the Strath. market is pretty high up in quality. Also, it must be added that they have great spring-time potted herbs and plants that are so accessible to pick up (as opposed to going to Home Depot!). All in all: A good atmosphere with great kettle corn, decent produce, awesome speciality goods (did you know that in these last few months a Montreal-style bagel shop has opened up there?) and open through winter. It's a great way to meet up with friends in winter, since options aren't so vast.

The Old Strathcona Farmers' Market is a great way to spend a free Saturday morning or afternoon, and support local farmers at the same time. There are tables and tables of fresh veggies and fruits, meats, cheese, baked treats, and even seafood. Of course, they're busiest in the summer, but they're open year-round so you can still enjoy the market in the winter. I like to come here in the summer for the ice cream, but in the winter they have more crafts available, just in time for the holiday season. Some things here tend to be a little more expensive than at the store or grocers, but practically everything is organic, and it's all local so you'll really be supporting the local farmers. The market has a tight-knit community feel to it, since it's all about local roots. You get nothing but a healthy and feel-good experience here.

I love a market! I try make this one Ina Saturday morning earlier the better I find to skip the madness.. it tends to get very busy. This market offers really fresh fruit veg, meat sweets, jewelry, breads, skin care bath and body products the list goes on! The cafe is great it has different suppliers eatery there to try although most stalls have samplers which of course I try EVERYTHING!!!! All the flavours!! Most are really friendly and informative it is usually the same stalks every week but I like to go to my favs every week. The always have some live music bands playing and kiddy balloon and face painters. Just outside in a hut all year round there it is kettlecorn yum yum yummy! No matter what the weather they are always there and seem really happy to be there too. Oh and it's So good!!!

The Farmer's Market is always an adventure on Saturday morning! It's fun to meander up and down the aisles with a friend. But be warned, with all the fresh food on display, you might not be able to resist! I love the Farmer's Market because of the culture. Everyone has their booth set up with the best of the best and no one harasses you or tries to lure you in - it's just an honest day's work! There are some really unique things to take a gander at too. Some of the homemade jewelry and clothing are quite fetching. The hustle and bustle of all the market-goers are part of the fun too! I always enjoy myself when I go to the Farmer's Market - even if I don't buy anything, I still have a good time!

I will take a lot of heat for this one. I get so darn tired of the whole organic, non GMO pretentious shopping experience. The market has a great selection of meat, baking and produce. I agree that the samples are fabulous but I don't want to take bank loan to do my weekly shopping. I loved that the Strathcona Spirits were there. We love their gin. Bought a bottle and it will make great cocktails. I much prefer the City Market and when spring comes, the Callingwood market. I wouldn't make the drive half way across the city to shop here. H and W has good produce and I think the meat from Bens rivals what I saw today.

Alright, I finally hit this market at a relatively quiet time, resulting in me actually taking in the market and not wanting to resort to violence :) This really is a great market in terms of vendors. I most recently visited in February, right around noon. I was impressed with the fresh produce selection. Lots of root vegetables, potatoes, and even fresh tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, lettuces, and some fruit (apples mostly). There are a lot of tempting treats here. My fave would be Aunt Jean's fudge (for real, the BEST fudge you could ever have), and Confetti cookies which everyone knows are amazing. Even with it being fairly quiet, some aisles were too close together that I just know come stroller season, it'll be a nightmare. But for a market in the dead of winter, it'll have to do I guess. Really, I think this market needs to move to a bigger location, and one that won't cause major traffic congestion in the area.

I love coming to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market! There are so many wonderful vendors here, and you can find just about anything you could possibly want. From produce to cheese to pasta, jewelry to art to home decor - there is something for everyone here! You want to come really early in the day and avoid the crowds if at all possible. You also want to make sure that you're early so you're not left with the mediocre products everyone else didn't want. If you're like me, you probably don't like having to fight your way through hordes of people, either! There is a tiny cafe in here that offers beverages and snacks, and although I have never personally checked it out (since I'm usually full from all the free samples), I've heard they're pretty good. Another convenience is that they have quite a few ATM machines, so if you've forgotten to take out cash and you really want to purchase something from a vendor that doesn't accept credit or debit cards, the market has your back! This is definitely one of my favourite farmer's markets in the area, and if you haven't checked it out, I suggest going at least once!

Having only really explored Vancouver and Calgary for farmer's markets, I was pleasantly surprised by the Old Strathcona market. Much less pretentious, great prices, and a large variety of businesses all under one busy, bustling roof! The reason for the 4 stars? Parking is a total gong show, and it is extremely crowded, making the market experience somewhat stressful at times. It is just so much chaos of people and strollers all vying for the delicious free samples at the various booths. Otherwise, the market is quite enjoyable - all the vendors we stopped to look at were super friendly, and nearly every booth has samples they are hoping you will taste. I thought the pricing at this market was also much better than some of the more pretentious places I've been to in Calgary.

When my husband and I first moved here we used to come almost every week. I loved the beautiful fresh produce and so many samples!! Who doesn't love freebies?! After my daughter was born we didn't go hardly at all anymore. So I made a point of going this week. It was just as I remembered it, some of my favourite vendors were still there and I found a few more that will likely become favourites. Shout outs to the Kettle corn vendor outside the building, Zombiebombs, Birds & Bees winery, & the amazing Asian place that makes the most gorgeous pesto I've ever tasted (I apologize I can't remember the name of this place). They have lots of different kinds and they are so good. A word to the wise, remember to bring cash, as a few vendors only take cash. There is an ATM machine there though if you forget. Also bonus, the parking lot across the street is free on Saturdays during the market hours, 8am-3pm. One of my favourite YEG hot spots!

This market is one of the main reasons I wish that I lived closer to Old Strathcona and Whyte Ave. Housed in the big market building each Saturday, don't expect to have a smooth drive down Gateway Boulevard - it's full of pedestrians going back and forth between market and parking lot. I don't think it's as big as the downtown market, but the fresh fruit, veggies and produce are plentiful. Big thumbs up for the ATM at the back of the market in case you don't bring enough cash. Eat fresh - get your food from a market! The bustle of people and smell of fresh eats are one of my favouritest ways to start a Saturday morning. Add a Block 1912 latte from down the street and you've just about got my favourite kind of morning.

I used to come here regularly when I lived here, so it was the perfect was to spend a Sat morning/afternoon when we were back in town. Not much has changed about it over the years although there has been some vendors come and go :( My favorite bison seller has disappeared, but otherwise, most of the other booths I went to regularly are still there. Lovely selection of fresh food, produce, gift items, and plants. It's nice to support local farmers and artisans. I love the pesto booth in particular, the kettle korn outside, the cream cheese from Bagel Latte and just browsing and sampling. Often super crowded and a bit hard to find parking. Prices have definitely gone up over the years - some vendors are charging up to $7 for containers of their dips which I think is overpriced, so I left with a few select items. Meats are reasonable in price. Produce is gorgeous, but that's one area where Vancouver is actually cheap compared to Alberta - I had forgetten how expensive fresh fruit is here! Definitely a great way to pass the time on a Saturday, followed by some shopping on Whyte! Ahhh, good memories of my university years!

This place is the spot for reals anything you want they gots it. Bring your wallet bring the chilren's it's good for everybody and if your a foodie geezus you've died and gone to heaven. I had to leave cause my bank account was making that noise you know that noise where your pushing it lol.

Admittedly, I haven't checked out the City Market yet, so I don't have another year-round Edmonton farmer's market to compare this to, but I have to give props to the Old Strathcona Farmers Market. The place is a zoo, but I enjoy the bustle. And it's almost like organized chaos, I never had to wait more than 30 seconds to purchase anything. While the hot-house tomatoes aren't quite as sweet as the field tomatoes from the summertime, it's great to eat local tomatoes. While most stalls price tomatoes at $3/lb, you should be able to snoop around for bargains. I bought a 3lb bag of heirlooms for $5. Local carrots, beets, squash, peppers, parsnips, kale, spinach, and onions were all available at reasonable prices, or at least comparable to that at Save On Foods or Wild Earth (and less expensive than Planet Organic). And the apples (from the Okanagan Valley) are a great bargain - I bought 5 Honeycrisp apples for $5 - they normally cost at least $1.50 each at a supermarket. I also bought some locally made Gruyere from one of the two cheese purveyors and some Perogies. I also bought some Montreal-style bagels that lacked flavour, but not everything can be perfect. And while there are sellers of local fish and other meats, I can't comment on the quality or selection, as I keep a vegetarian house. And for a vegetarian house, this market is fantastic.

Nestled in an old neighbourhood; Old Strathcona County is filled with lots of hidden gems and one of them is its Farmer's Market. It sends up a nostalgia effect up my spine. Quite a place to walk around - have a taster of some of the food it offers - listen to some buskers sending music up the air like some music fairies - enjoy the little hustle and bustle of a morning market - it's pure heaven. Simple yet so divine a day in the Market. It's also a great place for delicious succulent sausages. Mmmmm!

I don't know about you, but when I hear "farmer's market," I think of fresh produce and meats, as well as products made directly from them (i.e. homemade food items). Old Strathcona Farmer's Market disappoints here. It seems that every second booth or so belongs more at a craft fair than a farmer's market. Coupled with the INSANE busy-ness and the cramped aisles, it is rare that we go to this market anymore. It just isn't worth the headache.

Love this market! It reminds me of home with all the different vendors and the hipster vibe of a busker playing in the corner and the smell of homemade sausages sizzling at one of the stands. It's a bit pricy for produce, but worth the quality you get. I always pick up something unique that I wouldn't get on a regular grocery shop, today that was 2 bunches of pussy willows which will be the perfect arrangement for my dining table this spring. I also picked up a large jar of homemade garlicky pickles, and some old grizzly cheese. The cheese guy is super knowledgeable and is super good at convincing you that you need this cheese and it will change your life. Definitely worth milling through large crowds, if not for at least once if you haven't been. An Edmonton classic, and one of my favourite places to spend a Saturday morning!

Another one of those places where I really want to give 5 stars, but experience dictates that it just isn't so. Although not perfect by any stretch, a fresh, healthy, balanced diet is important to me - I really try to limit the amount of processed foods I consume. I also like to support local food producers, as much as the wallet can handle....and to say the least, although ALWAYS delicious and fresh, food from here is more of an occasional treat (O.M.G. the asparagus is to die for - too bad it's such a short season) During the summer months when other outdoor markets are open, there are significantly less people. However, in the winter months, the market often seems to be at capacity with the amount of people jammed in there...it's wall to wall and nearly impossible to navigate. More often then not, when coming here, I go straight to the booth selling the fresh herbs, pea sprouts - basically a variety of fresh green stuff (obviously I am well versed in this subject...) to pick up the regular 4 trays of cat grass (4 for $10 - not bad at all if you ask me). The ladies at this booth are super friendly, and very knowledgeable - they often give us a small (but much appreciated) discount given how often we visit. BEST CAT GRASS in the city of you ask me (that I have found so far anyway)!!!

The farmers market is a great place to spend an afternoon on a Saturday. The place can get pretty darn busy, especially on nice days, but it is worth fighting the crowds. This place is awesome for a couple good reasons. First of all, everything is local. You really get a sense that you are helping "your fellow man" when you buy things from here. The people working here are literally farmers from just outside Edmonton, selling their produce or meat or whatever. The place smells so lovely and there is always music playing. The other great thing about this farmers market is that it is open year round, which is more than I can say for most markets (especially with a winter climate like ours). Of course, the market is less busy in the off season, and the selection goes down a bit, but it is still an awesome place to enjoy a Saturday afternoon!

My FAVOURITE!! Tons of vegan options (including the highly coveted Fricken' Delight Donuts) and other produce and ready made foods! Stopped for lunch and goodies today. Go early!! Before 10 to make sure you get what you want.

I am in the small minority of people who do not enjoy OSFM. It pains me when I have to push my way through there in the winter to get some bacon. There are far too many people crammed into too narrow aisles, all walking at a snail's pace 4 people across. I get the merits of the market - they have some fine booths and the Toast kitchen is decent, so if you go very early to beat the crowds, it's probably bearable. I like to sleep in on Saturdays, so I get stuck with the rest of the late sleepers who need fresh produce and peanut brittle, and I count the weeks until the 104 st market opens again.

I love the Farmer's Market!! It's got a wonderful atmosphere, bubbling with chatter and the smells of fresh food. There's a huge variety of items for sale, ranging from produce to pesto to decor. It's a ridiculous amount of fun to browse through. One of the main things I love about the Market? Free samples! The vendors are so generous with there samples and you can try something at practically every food shop. It's awesome being able to taste before you buy. Although it's also dangerous because I ended up wanting to buy everything that I tried... I mean, it's all better than what you'd buy at the regular supermarket, right? At least that's what I tell myself to justify my purchases... My only qualm is that there's no actual free parking at the market. You'll either have to pay, or park a couple blocks away, which can be a little inconvenient if you're going buck wild with your shopping. I super recommend stopping in and checking it out! You'll fall in love!

I love this place. I have two fav vendors that I always go to for reasonable priced fresh Veggies and fruit. it honestly is a great place to go hang out if not in a rush or have errands. Can walk around, and have a coffee. Parking across the street and around Strathcona is not too bad. Busy but you expect busy when the produce is good. Location is great and atmosphere is welcoming. You go from food, to jewelery to home decor. They always have local talent playing some music and the support for community is overwhelming. The environment has its own personality no matter the time of year. The other day, I got there early to beat the rush of people and when i saw a group of women gather outside the entrance i thought- awesome Carol Singers....however, after a few minutes, no music - it was actually a silent protest against violence. Only in Strathcona!

Whenever I visit Edmonton on the weekend, my pops and I have a set morning routine in place on Saturdays. First, brunch at Padnamadis. Then, hang outs at the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, followed by Whyte's Avenue. There are a couple reasons I love this Farmer's Market, and why I consider you Edmontonians very lucky folks... Firstly, it is in an accessible location to the general public. I love that people can actually walk, cycle, or take transit here if they need to. There is nothing that bothers me more than when a city gathers a bunch of local farmers and artisans in one place, then puts them in the middle of inaccessible NOWHERE, in a location that can only be reached by car, and just barely by transit (cough, Calgary). Having this market in such a great location makes it available to more people who might like to support their local agriculturists, artisans, and artists. The market building is no frills and utilitarian, therefore it does not look like a yuppy shopping mall and is makes effective use of space. This really seems like a true Farmer's Market to me, with less of a commercialized vibe, and more of a focus on the vendors. No incredibly fancy stalls here owned by businesses that already have a billion storefronts around the city. Best of all, I love the remarkable variety that I find everytime I visit here. Not only is there a reasonable selection of produce, there is also prepared food, preserves, local artists, coffee, tea, Albertan wine, etc. This is definitely a good way to spend a Saturday morning or afternoon. High fives, Old Strathcona. You're doing it right!

I like this market...but not as much as I like others. It has a lot to offer, fruits, veggies, meat, candy, art, pottery...the list goes on. I don't even mind the heavy crowds. Sometimes. This weekend, it wasn't too hot and stuffy. But when I checked out some of the prices, I remembered why I don't shop there often. Some of those prices were ridiculous. I'm at a loss to describe it. Perhaps they're just high in comparison to Mother's Market or the Witches Market down the street, but I wasn't willing to spend much there. And was there something in the air? Some of those vendors were rude, inattentive, or just unapproachable. Would it kill them to smile? Especially if you're taking my money?

I really like farmer's markets, but I am really on the fence with this one. Pro's . Centrally located, close to Whyte . Open year round . Reasonable parking Con's . Too busy, don't let go of your kids . Cafeteria food is poor considering surrounded by fresh produce . Produce is overpriced . No focus crafts vs. produce vs. meat vs. food vendors In all the crowds and lack of focus annoy be about this place. Fresh food or crafts or trendy other stuff, not all three done badly. I will still go as it is very close to my place, but just as a place to kill time and get free samples not much else.

I love this place. There's too many different vendors to not like something, and the vibe of the place is great. Everyone is friendly, and down to earth. While we're on the subject of earth, buying local and organic is a good thing to do, not to mention that it tastes better too. The meat may be super expensive, but it beats eating a chicken that's never touched the ground or seen the sky. The produce is only a tiny bit more expensive, well worth it to support the local economy and get better quality. I do wish it were open later, but the vendors start super early, so I won't fault them for me being a bit lazy on Saturday mornings.

Oh my goodness I love it!!! You can find everything from local crafts and art to wine, cheese, jam, pies, pesto, etc. I obviously could go on and on but I think you get the general gist of it. You can sample before you make your choices too (but be careful, you'll end up wanting to buy everything). The prices are reasonable and the quality you are getting is definitely much better than if you went to superstore. Along with the amazing products as produces you can find, there is always a section of food and snacks and a little food court area right inside the farmers market if you get hungry while you are shopping. Definitely come down on Saturday and make a day out of it!! You'll be pleasantly surprised at how amazing all the vendors and products are!! Plus you'll have the greatest time :)

LOVE the market :) This is by far my favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning. Arrive early and get to know your venders... over time they'll get to know you too. It is a wonderful relationship to have, I love learning about the different offerings and it's even quicker when the venders put what you want aside for you. I've recently moved away from Edmonton and will definitely be missing this sweet market with a small-town feel!

Ye Olde Strathcona Farmers Market is like a whole nutha level of awesomeness! You're going to see people you know and you're going to pick up some delicious veggies! In fact you're going to pick up a whole bunch a crazy goodness! The ambience is a little frenetic, especially if you get there in peak times. Ya gotta show up early for more mellow vibes. But with that said there are SO many adorable oldies and babies cruisin about! Plus there's live music! It's da bomb people get into it!

Purple potatoes! Yes, they actually do exist, naturally, and you can find them at the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market. I agree with Lauren; this is a great way to spend a Saturday. If you want the best selection, it's best to show up in the morning, because the good stuff sells out fast. I'm not a morning person, at all, so I usually miss out, unfortunately. I'm a big believer in organic and free-range meat, so I buy a lot of chicken or turkey here. The sausages from Sunworks farms are great, because they contain only natural ingredients with no fillers, and they are gluten-free too! Although a lot of what's sold here is organic, I most appreciate this food, because it's local. I'd choose local over foreign organic products any day. Everything here is more expensive, but I can vouche that the taste and quality is well worth it. Try an organic, locally-grown carrot--you'll never go back. Other than the purple potatoes, I also love the kettle popcorn you can get at the little cabin booth outside. Careful though... it has three addictive qualities: sweet, salty, and crunchy.