The City’s commitment to nurturing a community of home-grown producers is bearing fruits...and vegetables!
The Farm Stand Program has sprouted up for another season, expanding by 10 new community hubs across Calgary since the May long weekend. It gives Calgarians access to fresh, locally-grown produce, while supporting local growers and small businesses in the Calgary region. This initiative not only supports our local food economy but encourages us to be mindful of where our food comes from.
"The Farm Stand Program has been amazing for connecting our small family farm with new customers " says Kevin Tetzlaff, owner and operator of Tetzlaff Family Farms and first-time Farm Stand Program participant. "The program made it easy for us to enter the Calgary market and the community association has been a huge help in promoting the stand. Support from residents has been incredible with many coming back every week. It's been a great season so far and we love meeting everyone and hearing what they think of produce and the different ways they have prepared it."
Kevin Tetzlaff and family, owners of Tetzlaff Family Farm near High River, set up their farm stand at the Woodcreek Community Association.
This Thanksgiving will mark the end of another successful season having provided local food purveyors the opportunity to sell their produce at over 30 farm stands across Calgary. Their farm-fresh food is often picked and prepared for sale straight from fields and greenhouses in less than a day, showcasing offerings from surrounding communities like Lethbridge, Olds, Carstairs and Didsbury.
“The program is a cornerstone of our commitment to enhancing Calgarians’ access to nutritious and locally sourced food options, as well as building community connections and vibrancy within Calgary’s neighbourhoods,” says Kristi Peters, Sustainability Consultant with Climate and Environment.
According to Talena Klypak, a community farm stand host at the Coach Hill Patterson Heights Community Association, "Our residents genuinely look forward to this program. The Farm Stand Program promotes knowledge of local fruits and vegetables, and it encourages residents to walk to their closest stand, take part in the conversation and cultivate a hearty community."
Supporting our CalgaryEATS! Food Action Plan, the program looks to address the critical issue of food accessibility, a challenge faced by many cities. With vendors popping up in community associations buildings, parks and transit stations, the program creates ease and accessibility to fresh, healthy food options for Calgarians. It also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food over long distances and sets a great example of how public health, environmental sustainability and economic vitality can intersect.
Explore your weekly community farm stand to find fresh, healthy food options and support local and regional farmers just in time for the Labour Day long weekend. Harvest is around the corner and local produce will be fresh for all your canning, pickling and preserving needs—perfect for school lunches and Thanksgiving preparations. So, stop by and thank a local producer the next time you see a farm stand close to home from now until Thanksgiving weekend.
Visit calgary.ca/localfood for a list of farm stand locations near you.