The Best Farmers’ Markets in Calgary, Alberta

This community-focused Saturday market is the first choice for shoppers hoping to purchase local produce – as 90% of vendors make, bake or grow their wares within 150km (93mi) of their stall. Stop by for farm-fresh food that you can trace to its nearby source, but there’s more on offer than food – including handmade leather and metalworks. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster

Every Wednesday, this farmers’ market specializes in high-quality local produce. While you can get fresh food and drink in other locations, this market offers a lot you can’t get anywhere else – like El Creamino, which serves handcrafted vegan ice pops from the back of an actual El Camino. There are plenty more food trucks that hawk all sorts of cuisine, but if you’re not after the hot stuff, try Buzzy Bee Honey, and nab a gooey jar of natural goodness. Whatever you decide to buy, you’ll have a chance to imbibe the local vibe by visiting. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster

Every year, this rambling indoor market attracts nearly a million visitors. Why? Because its 78 vendors provide shoppers with everything you can imagine, from fresh local produce to jewelry and art. It’s indoors, but roomy with wide aisles and festooned by classic wood timbers. Plus, if you’re looking for a wholesome meal, there are 20 family-owned restaurants – even a barnyard-themed kid’s play area. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

Four decades ago, the folks at Just Ripe partnered with the Doef family, who began growing greenhouse tomatoes, but then expanded into Long English cucumbers. Now, the family grows a variety of produce – including red onions, navel oranges and white mushrooms year-round at their 11-acre (4.5ha) greenhouse, located near Gull Lake. The operation uniquely relies on the natural gas reserve just below its surface, so that it can keep its produce flourishing into the depths of winter. What it lacks in variety, this market more than makes up for it in quality – and in originality. If you’re looking for organic produce, there’s nowhere quite like it. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

For many shoppers, buying fresh, quality produce can be prohibitively pricey – but DJ Market aims to lessen the hefty expense. This open-air market has been selling local products – such as jam, salsa and eggs – for more than 20 years. Most of the vegetables are from Alberta, whereas most of the fruit is from (slightly) further afield in British Columbia. Mojito-lovers, take note: bags of fresh mint are just $1.49 (£0.87). Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung

Self-described as an “upscale urban food hall,” this location aims to meld the best parts of farmers’ markets and food halls into one tasty place. For some fancy dessert with Southern flair, try Waffles and Chix. Or, if you’ve got a relatively unpretentious hankering, try Dog Haus for a gourmet hot dog. Then wash it all down with Alberta’s first cold-pressed fruit and bubble tea joint, TeAmo. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung