Charlottetown Farmers’ Market
Posted on 26. May, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Prince Edward Island
The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is often talked about in our circles.
I guess this is because we like:
free events;
shopping locally;
eating organically;
and all that good stuff.
Well, every time I heard tell of the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market I’d frown and say, “Oh, well, wait a minute, I’ve never been there, so… um… uh. Sorry. I just don’t quite get what you’re talking about…”
They’d say, “What? You have to go!”
I’d frown and say, in a very sad voice, “I know.”
But this past Saturday we finally made it to the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market!
The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is a year-round market that stays set up inside this lovely green building on Belvedere Street, in Charlottetown, PE.
There are many vendors inside and out.
What a place!
There was organic produce, plants, handmade jewelry, pottery, clothing, and more…
But, best of all, there was an abundance of amazing ready-to-eat food. In fact, there was so much selection we just wandered like confused chickens wanting to peck as much as possible.
After purchasing a few items, including fresh crispy rhubarb, our thoughts turned to lunch.
We considered homemade spicy mushroom soup, smoothies, handmade sandwiches, African food, Indian food, Asian food, and more. Finally we each chose our Saturday lunch…
Now, the very sad news is that my gourmet vegetarian sandwich with havarti and carrot-bread was gobbled up by me before I even thought of stopping to take a photo of it.
Cameron finally settled on a delicious falafel wrap, which was also gobbled up before any cameras could be unleashed.
But unfortunately I do have much evidence of us having consumed mini-donuts.
Not healthy.
Not organic.
But yet, so…delicious.
So now when someone starts chatting to me about the Farmers’ Market I can grin and say, “I know!”
For any die-hard farmers market people, here’s 22-minutes of Charlottetown Farmers’ Market goodness, courtesy of CBC Land and Sea:
melanie
May 26th, 2009
I’m so happy I found this blog! Laura-Jane, I used to read your old blog and was saddened when you closed it and then kept checking your other website for the day you would start blogging again. And then, well, life got busy for me and I didn’t check it again until this evening and that site was closed but here you are living in PEI and I can’t wait to start reading this blog from the very beginning!
Sayntanee from india!
May 27th, 2009
I’m afraid I’m going to praise you again……..
You always know what one wants to read/see……..
Request for more such videos! :-)
Yes, this is an out & out praise post….
You definetely grow words better than plants! :-) :-)
Gary Gray
May 27th, 2009
Hi L-J
Great post! I am sooo happy that you and Cam got to experience the Charlottetown Farmers Market. What a beautiful experience it is.
I was there with friends a couple of months ago and fully enjoyed the experience.
I bought some hot Italian sausages at Island Taylored Meats and some scones at Lady Baker’s Tea Trolley.
http://gpei.ca/business/onebusiness.php3?number=6442
http://www.ladybakersteatrolley.com/index.php
We only had an hour but it was sooo well worth the experience.
Don’t forget one of a kind acts like Dr Stimuli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InfR_G7u94s
Thanks for sharing L-J
Smiles :0)
Gary
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 27th, 2009
Hi Melanie!! I am heading over to your blog STAT. How have you been, I wonder..? Can’t wait to catch up!
Sayantanee – Glad you liked it! I know you, you like PEI stuff, right?????????
Gary – Dr Stimuli (although I didn’t know his name) was there, too. I did forget to mention that. It was great to see and hear a musician there. It set the right tone. Thanks for posting that YouTube link! Neat to see him again and listen to more of his music.
Rain
May 27th, 2009
Nice! I can’t wait to go! That donut stand looks like it’ll be my first stop, hee hee!
Toni
May 27th, 2009
Sounds yummy!
Freda
May 27th, 2009
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Farmers Markets.
I always make 1 sweep of the area before I even attempt to purchase anything. Ours is nothing like yours but it is open air and set up on the town square and very enjoyable.
Never be ashamed that you have eaten something so delectable before a picture can be taken. Your palates come first. Must always give in to the donuts and/or a sweet.
My visiting time is getting very near and have been on pins and needles for the time to pass. TOOOO slow but then never ready when the time does come.
Very enjoyable as always.
Freda
Kim
May 27th, 2009
Well, geez, I guess we better go now, too.
We’ve been here over a year now, and the intent is there …
Meg S.
May 27th, 2009
I LOVE going to farmer’s markets. We went to the one in Rochester this past Saturday and loaded up on fresh fruits and vegetables — it was awesome!
Keep up the great writing, Laura-Jane! I love hearing about your experiences living on PEI!
Sayntanee from india!
May 28th, 2009
Yea Laura you do know me! I’m basically always admiring the greener grass on the other side :-)
besides the fact that you really write well…..
Jen
May 28th, 2009
Hey Laura,
Yea the market is awesome eh. You’ll have to make the trek to Summerside some Saturday to check out our market. Its not as big as Charlottetown but we’re running a year round market as well and we’re mighty proud of our location. If your ever in Summerside on a Saturday stop in. Its right downtown and there are sandwich board signs to direct you there. Lots of yummy food there as well!
Rufus Monk
May 28th, 2009
Mmmm. Now I am hungry. Havarti and carrot-bread?! Mini-donuts?! I’ve never had carrot bread, but I imagine it is all hearty and moist.
I repeat: Mmmmm.
warren
May 28th, 2009
I love farmers’ markets and that one looks wonderful. We have a pretty good one here and it is so hard to beat the food!
I bet you’ll go back more often now too! Well done!
John Dale
May 28th, 2009
Hello, We arrived to our house on Bangor Road around the 1st of May. Have enjoyed everything about PEI (except maybe black flies). In particular the Farmers Market. We have been twice and have bought a lot of our groceries there, not to mention met some very nice people. Happy to be here and lots of work to do on our house and barn.
John and Sharon Dale
Amanda
May 29th, 2009
Hi Laura-Jane.
We’re in the midst of moving so I have no pictures, but I went down to water the garden yesterday and check on my bees, and what do I see but my pot is sprouting a very gigantic pumpkin sprout!
We’re up and running, Well 50% of us are. We’re waiting for the other seed to sprout.
How are yours doing?
Cheers,
Amanda
Vicki
May 30th, 2009
Please everyone support your local farmers!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 31st, 2009
I second that one, Vicki!
Cindee
May 31st, 2009
Hi Laura!
I chatted with you a few weeks back at the grocery store in Montague, we chatted about children, people moving to/from PEI.
Never did get a chance to “actually” find out who each other was, but happened along your blog and thought I would say Hi!
Glad to see you got to take in the farmer’s market…it’s a great spot..and regardless what season it is, the place is always packed.
Perhaps I’ll see you around Montague again!
Enjoy the summer!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jun 1st, 2009
Hi Cindee,
I remember you and enjoyed our chat in line at the grocery store. Thanks for saying hi
Take good care and enjoy the summer, too!
vicki
Jun 3rd, 2009
Was at the Coombs Market (located on Vancouver Island, BC) – spotted a bag of baby PEI potatoes. Organic too. I was excited. But, of course since I don’t eat potatoes, I settled for apples instead!!!
paulette
Jun 3rd, 2009
I love a farmer’s market, that one looks great!
Melissa
Jun 6th, 2009
The mini-donuts ARE my favorite part! Mmmmm…
Ed
Aug 15th, 2009
Hi Laura Jane,
I first came upon the link to your page via your Stumble page. I mentioned some months ago that I’m interested in buying a place out in PEI, and checking back and reading your blogs, and also the pics you post make me want a place out East all the more.
The link to the piece on the Farmers Market looked amazing! So much nicer than my weekly trip to Lablaws here in the city.
Again, thanks for all the blog posts, I enjoy them all, even if I don’t reply to them often.
Take care,
Ed
Billy
Sep 18th, 2009
I love the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market. There are about five certified organic growers so I’m able to get my fill of organic produce.
Pam
Dec 19th, 2009
Does anyone know the name of the lady who sells all the wonderful baked goods at the market, her counter is right beside the sausage/meat deli counter. All her baked goods are organic. Trying to find her to order a couple pies for Christmas.
Thank you
Pam
Linda
May 24th, 2010
Does anyone know the name of the lady selling the metal flowers at the Market. When we were there last July/10 she was locted in the corner stall close to the ATM machine. Please contact me at brianmor@rogers.com if you know how I might contact her. Her work was beautiful!
Linda