There are over 40 Farmers Markets in Nova Scotia and they range from seasonal to year round. With the most farmers markets per capita in Canada there is always one not too far from where you are. A majority of the markets take place on Saturday mornings with several being offered on other days of the week. Whether you are looking for fresh produce, baked goods or locally made arts and crafts you are sure to find what you need at a local Nova Scotia Farmers Market.
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What to Bring to a Farmers Market in Nova Scotia
At a lot of Farmers Markets cash is king and often they might not even have an atm nearby so be sure to come prepared. These days more and more sellers have debit/credit machines but these are small local businesses and producers and when using these machines they are charged a fee. If you can bring cash and change with you, you make things a bit easier and cheaper for the people you are buying from.
Farmers markets are also all about sustainability so if you can, bring your own shopping bags. Another great idea for the coffee drinkers is to bring your own coffee mug / yeti style cup to reduce waste. If you really want to be green try to walk, bike or take the bus to the market as well.
Why Should You Shop at a Nova Scotian Farmers Market?
Shopping at Nova Scotia Farmers Markets is one of the best ways to support local and your neighbours. By shopping at a local farm market you are also keeping money in the community. At a local market you are also guaranteed to get the freshest fruit, vegetables, and breads possible. You also know where your food is coming from and who it is coming from. Farmers markets are also just a great way to connect with the community, and meet with friends.
Shop Online with Nova Scotia Farmers Markets
Did you know that you can also shop online from a few of the farmers markets? The Wolfville Famers Market 2Go, the Cape Breton Food Hub and the Prospect Communities Farmers Markets all offer online shopping. Visit their websites, make an account, add items to your basket, and hit buy. It’s as easy as that. Each market has their own order deadlines and pick up dates but offer various locations to pick up your order. This is a great way to still support local even if you might not be able to visit the market yourself.
From August 2024 to the end of October when you order from a Nova Scotia Farmers Market online use code: NSLOYAL10 for 10% off of every order.
A List of Great Nova Scotian Farmers Markets
With so many farmers markets in Nova Scotia it is a big task to visit every single one. However it is definitely on my list to do! For now here is a selection of some of my favourite famers markets in Nova Scotia.
Halifax Seaport Farmers Market
A year after Halifax was founded, before Nova Scotia was even an official province the first farmers market opened in the city in 1750. Said to be the longest continually running farmers market in all of the North America it is now known as the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market. The market has been in various locations over time and in 2010 moved to the area of Pier 19 & 20 at the Halifax Seaport. The buildings were renovated and housed up to 250+ vendors at a time, it was a wonderful bustling market and at one point operated seven days a week. This space however was perhaps too big for the market and Halifax as a whole so in 2021 it moved again further down the pier to pier 22 and 23.
The Halifax Seaport Farmers market is open year round on Saturdays and Sundays and is a great place to visit for a piece of history. This is also the kind of market to visit with eating in mind as there are several vendors cooking up great food and breakfast options to be eaten right away. Be sure to visit on an empty stomach.
Halifax Brewery Market
One of the more unique markets in Halifax is the Halifax Brewery Market that started in 1983. Located in the Alexander Keith’s Brewery heritage building this market was once the Halifax Seaport Market and longest continually running market in North America before it left and headed for the waterfront. Not all of the vendors wanted to leave though so they stuck it out and continued the market at the brewery still just a couple blocks away from the new market location. Once the markets split the brewery market was small but mighty and now has increased greatly in size again over the past 14 years.
The market takes over the main courtyard of the building on Saturdays as well as some of its hallways. There is also a market stall area that feels more like an underground vibe that houses more permanent food options. Of all of the markets this one is probably the most hipster, and has very unique food options from produce to fresh sushi, Italian cheeses, bahn mi and so much more. There are also some really talented artists selling their work here like clay cat bookmarks and wood and resin cutting boards. The brewery market also has some of the tastiest pastries in the city. If you visit be sure to grab an insane cinnamon roll from the Mediocre Bakery.
Alderney Farmers Market
A recent favourite farmers market of mine is the Alderney Farmers Market that takes place on Saturdays in downtown Dartmouth. I recently visited with a friend and her daughter who was there to spend her $10 Farmers Market school voucher from Nova Scotia Loyal. In 2024 all 135,000 school aged children in Nova Scotia were given $10 to spend at a local farmers market in the province. There were so many kids who had never visited a market before that now got to experience them for the first time and got a great little treat as well. I was excited to see how many were being used at the Alderney market.
The Alderney Farmers Market is both inside and outside and has a large selection of produce sellers for being in the city. You can get everything from fresh fruit to garlic, cucumbers, lettuce, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, corn and more. Also the best part of buying them from the local farmers market is that they will be so much fresher than from the grocery store as they were just picked and haven’t traveled thousands of miles to get there.
Alternatively the Alderney Market also has some great international food sellers like Xena’s Bread & Butter with Filipino food and a great Turkish seller with delicious Borek savoury pastries. There is also a pastry stand with some of the best gluten free foods in the city. Or you can buy a 3D Pokemon or a handmade stain glass sailboat window hang.
Tantallon Village Farmers Market
One of the smaller of the famers markets in Nova Scotia is the Tantallon Village Farmers Market. This market uniquely takes place every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-6pm from June to October. It is a small market that is slowly starting to grow and become more popular. Located entirely outside in a grassy area it is a great market to enjoy, grab a snack and explore.
Hubbard’s Farmers Market
The Hubbard’s Farmers Market has a small community market feel to it, but like other markets seems to get bigger and more popular each year. One of the unique things about this market is that there is always live music and it is a popular wedding venue. The market is open Saturdays from 8am to 12pm and by 3pm that afternoon the space could be completely flipped for a wedding. The Hubbards Market is open May to October and then again for a couple weekends near the holidays. This market sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to bonsai trees, homemade soaps, jewelry, sea salt, smoked salmon and more. Be sure to get there early before they sell out. New this year there are also a couple food trucks that attend selling everything from poutine to ice cream.
Wolfville Farmers Market
The University town of Wolfville is in the heart of the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia which is the epicentre of farmland in the province. The Wolfville Farmers Market and surrounding area is where you are going to find the best and freshest vegetables and fruits grown in Nova Scotia. They also sell everything from baked goods, to cheeses, meats and more. The market runs year round and features over 65 vendors.
Pair visiting the market in the fall with a day trip around the area. Get lost in corn mazes, picking pumpkins and apples, exploring the Kentville Pumpkin people, taste testing cider and so much more. Also don’t forget to explore one of the areas many vineyards.
New Glasgow Farmers Market
The New Glasgow Farmers Market along the Northumberland shore is another great small town community market. The market takes place every Saturday year round with over 130 small businesses and entrepreneurs selling their items there throughout the year. Currently they are fundraising for a more permanent location to be built. There are various ways you can support them on their website. The New Glasgow Farmers Market of course sells many of the same items as the other farmers markets throughout the province. However they also have unique crafters and artisans from the area selling their creations. There are several small businesses serving up great ready to go food and there is always great live music to enjoy as you shop.
Shelburne Guild Hall Market
The Shelburne Guild Hall Market uniquely takes place every Sunday afternoon from 12pm-3pm. Starting in June until October they also have a holiday market during the Miracle on Dock Street holiday celebrations. This market has a very small space in historic waterfront district not far from the Shelburne Harbour. However they make the most of it selling great locally grown products but also items from an abundance of crafters making everything from earrings to pottery, wooden bowls and tables, soaps, dog treats, knitted hats and mitts and so much more.
Visit the Shelburne Guild Hall Market and then take a stroll down Dock Street to enjoy it’s charms and views of the harbour. Stop in to the Museums by the Sea and learn a little history too!
Yarmouth Farmers Community Market
The Yarmouth Farmers Community Market is another great small community market. Open every Saturday just a couple blocks from Main Street they are a great spot to visit on the weekend. Here you will find meat, poultry, vegetables and fruit as well as locally grown mushrooms, eggs, honey and maple syrup. At holiday time for their Christmas Market during the Merry Madness shopping event they also sell some of the best and freshest pine Christmas wreaths for an excellent price.
This was a just a quick highlight of the over 40 different farmers markets across Nova Scotia. Be sure to visit one near you for great food and items and to help support local.
This post was brought to you by Nova Scotia Loyal. However all opinions and views expressed are my own as is all of the tasty, healthy, fresh food in my belly.
