Join us for the first-ever outdoor University of Manitoba Farmers’ Market! The outdoor market, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, operates every second Tuesday during the summer. The market’s goals are to increase access to fresh foods, support a healthy community, reduce carbon emissions from long-haul transportation, stimulate the local economy, support local businesses and encourage consumers to reconnect with the land.
The market will highlight businesses that sell handmade, home-baked or locally grown products that support a sustainable vision for the future. Such mandates could include eliminating single-use plastics, using natural ingredients, implementing a reuse or recycling program, and composting whenever possible. It’s not only an opportunity to see a selection of high-quality products that are environmentally conscious, but also a chance to put a face and hands to the items we enjoy. The vendors will know everything about the products they sell, so feel free to ask about cooking tips, how to store their products, or how they were made or grown. Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity to meet the university and surrounding communities!
The U of M Farmers’ Market will be a new adventure each time, but we want you to feel prepared with a few shopping tips:
- Please bring a reusable bag or backpack – we are encouraging our vendors not to provide plastic bags.
- Bring a cooler bag if you plan on buying produce earlier in the day.
- Bring cash, especially small bills. It’s easier for the vendors but can also help you stay within your budget.
- Walk around the entire market to determine which booths you would like to visit.
- Try something new, as you will not find most of these items in a grocery store.
- Enjoy yourself!
Here are a few vendors at the market this summer:
Lend Me Some Sugar Bath Co. is committed to reducing waste by wrapping their handmade bath bombs in renewable, plant-based materials that are 100 per cent compostable. The glass containers they use for other body products can be recycled at home or through their recycling program. They are passionate about making you feel good with high-quality sourced ingredients.
Dragonfly Jewellery creates handmade semiprecious stone jewellery, essential oil diffuser bracelets and necklaces, meditation beads and more. The semiprecious stones have a variety of health benefits, so be sure to ask which stone is being used and its healing abilities.
BLD Gardens provides seasonal, locally grown flowers with over 40 years of growing experience. They believe it is important to offer an alternative to store-bought flowers so you know where your flowers came from, who grew them and how they were grown. Their flowers are grown naturally, without the use of chemicals.
Yung Jalapeno Mustards creates gourmet mustards with a grainy texture. Each mustard is made using natural ingredients and organic brown mustard seeds to guarantee a bold, savoury flavour.
North Star Tea Co. uses fairly traded, organic and sustainably harvested ingredients wherever possible to create original Manitoba tea blends. Their vision is to nourish the body and soul through the meaningful conversations shared over a cup.
Prairie Pour uses acrylic paint and resins to make unique designs on canvas, jewellery and home décor. This prairie artist creates one-of-a-kind items, full of vibrant colours that will brighten your day.
Keep checking back for the full list of vendors!
You will find the market in front of the Fitzgerald Building (55 Chancellors Circle), located next to UMSU University Centre, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:
July 2, 2019
July 16, 2019
July 30, 2019
August 13, 2019
August 27, 2019
September 10, 2019
September 24, 2019
Mark your calendars – this is an event you don’t want to miss!