Foodie Travel Packages Full of Local Winter Flavours
Escape hibernation mode and pack some seriously delicious flavours into your winter. Nova Scotia offers culinary packages for everyone’s taste!
Original article contributed by Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia in 2020; updated April 2023
When we think about the winter in Nova Scotia, many of us don’t think about farmers’ markets! Did you know there are many farmers’ markets open year-round in the province? Farmers are able to use both greenhouses and storage techniques to provide a wide variety of produce even during the coldest time of the year. Find a farmers’ market near you to visit local farmers and vendors selling all sorts of goodies.
What’s even in season during the winter in Nova Scotia?
More than you might expect!
For fruits, you can find apples, cranberries and pears at the market.
The veggie options are plentiful! You can currently find arugula, beets, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, greens, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, shallots, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes and turnips.
You can also pick up honey, meat, cheese, eggs, bread, baked goods, prepared foods, drinks, artisan creations, products, beer, wine, alcohol, body care products and more!
Which farmers’ markets are open in the winter?
Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market
The Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market is located in downtown Halifax within the Alexander Keith’s Brewery, a historic 200-year-old granite & ironstone heritage building. Stroll though and get to know your local, small-scale farmers, artisans and crafters in a traditional market atmosphere along the Halifax Waterfront.
New Glasgow Farmers’ Market
The New Glasgow Farmers’ Market is home to more than 130 small businesses and entrepreneurs through their year-round Saturday market and new online store. This market attracts 60,000 visitors each year and generates an estimated total annual economic impact of $5,700,000! Long term, they are raising funds for a new facility to grow their community.
Truro Farmers’ Market Cooperative
In 2011, Truro Farmers’ Market Cooperative brought new life to the Old Truro Fire Hall (originally built in 1899) by moving in and making it the permanent home for the market. With over 50 vendors, this market is open year-round on Saturdays and has a new successful online store. The Truro Farmers’ Market is loved by their shoppers for their cozy community, quality products, lively market events and gorgeous photography featured on their social media!
Wolfville Farmers’ Market
The Wolfville Farmers’ Market offers 3 different market experiences: a bustling, year-round Saturday market, their online store WFM2GO with delivery twice weekly, and a new Farm and Art Market Store within the Saturday market space! This market has been leading and inspiring in our sector with their passion, drive, and unique initiatives. Their vision is “to better the health and vibrancy of our community” and we think they are doing an amazing job!
Cape Breton Farmers’ Market
The Cape Breton Farmers’ Market attracts more than 1,000 customers weekly from all over the island. This market features a large and cozy market hall with dozens of farmers, producers and artisan vendors. Their popular food hall features a seating area to enjoy delicious meal from any of the 12 food stalls. Locals can also shop at the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market General Store stocked with local goodies and through their online store in collaboration with the Cape Breton Food Hub.
Antigonish Farmers’ Market
The Antigonish Farmers’ Market is a year-round market that operates out of a new building that was fundraised for by the community and has an estimated impact of $1.6 million per year on Antigonish and surrounding communities. If you’re in this area, you don’t want to miss out on this thriving community hub which features local farmers, makers, bakers, artists, and much more!
Yarmouth Community Farmers’ Market
The Yarmouth Community Farmers’ Market has created a tight knit family and community of local producers supporting each other. Their focus is for the community to have a universal location to access great, local products. They support sustainability in the Southwest region in Nova Scotia and have been instrumental in launching small businesses in the area and providing opportunities for local producers to grow beyond the market. Check them out year-round on Saturdays!
Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market
The Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market is a popular weekend market on the Dartmouth waterfront. This market is part of a thriving community and is easily accessible by Halifax ferry (terminal is in the same building) with plenty of parking. Vendors include makers, producers, farmers, and more.
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market
The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in North America having been founded in 1750. Over the years the market has been held in many locations in Halifax and now operates out of Pavilion 23 in the historic Halifax Seaport District. In the summertime, the market offers a beautiful open-air market as they continue to operate as a weekend farmers’ market, much like it has for most of its 270+ year history.
Lunenburg Farmers’ Market
The Lunenburg Farmers’ Market first opened in 1984 and has been a Lunenburg tradition ever since. Operating seasonally from the Lunenburg Community Centre (January-April) and the Lunenburg Arena (May-December) on Green Street, you’ll be delighted to find mile-high piles of produce and friendly faces at this market!
Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers’ Market
The Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers’ Market may be small, but they have so much to offer! This market is a vibrant community meeting place that connects all of our communities on the Eastern Shore. By promoting local producers and products, they contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development of the shore. This market is open bi-weekly January to April on Sunday mornings, and open weekly for the remainder of the year.
About Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
Founded in 2004, Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia is a non-profit cooperative of farmers’ markets for farmers’ markets. With over 30 unique members across the province, our cooperative is the unified voice of our region’s farmers’ market sector.
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