U of M hosts first-ever outdoor farmers’ market

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:

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.

Helpful Beans creates a variety of artisan, dark chocolate. Their goal is to produce helpful products while conserving all components of biological diversity relevant to food and agriculture. 

SipSmart provides an eco-friendly solution to reduce plastic straw consumption with their reusable straw and donates the proceeds to the Ocean Cleanup.

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. 

Spreads by Cede creates homemade spreads from natural nut butters. The butters add a healthy and nutritious option to your kitchen.

Knits N Things by Lori creates beautiful handmade additions for your home, vibrant holders for your water bottle, cup cozies for your reusable mug and much more!

Jonathan Loewen Farms provides vegetables without the use of chemical pesticides or herbicides. Each market will showcase a different variety of fresh vegetables.

My Valhalla Soaps uses sustainable and local ingredients to create handmade soap, body lotion, men’s care and pet products. Discover caring for your body and the environment with products that are formulated with essential oils, hemp oil and botanicals. 

iHooked crochets hats, scarves and accessories using bright colours, different textures and materials. Her products are named after a specific computer or term related to technology. You can find the definition of the term in the description of each item, providing an exciting opportunity to learn something new!

UMFM provides a diverse range of music, talk, and specialty programming to the campus community, Winnipeg and surrounding areas. They will be providing a wide variety of music to listen to at the market.

Book your next appointment with Canadian Blood Services at the market and be the reason someone else wakes up healthy tomorrow. 

Keep checking back for the full list of vendors!

Are you interested in becoming a vendor? Click here for more information and to fill out the online application. The vendor fee must be paid in full before participating.

You will find the market indoors at the Fireside Lounge, on the first floor of UMSU University Centre, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:

September 10, 2019
September 24, 2019 (location to be announced)

Mark your calendars – this is an event you don’t want to miss!

Office of Sustainability