Ottawa Street Farmers' Market — Local services in Hamilton

We can't remember a time where we went to the farmers market and have been disappointed. Sometimes the lineup changes, but there is usually a pretty good variety. We know that the Jackson Square Farmers market can be fun but we also find going there that many of the vendors have supermarket purchased produce. The Ottawa Street Farmers market doesn't seem to have the same issue. I'm always greeted with friendly faces and it's nice to see people coming back year after year after year. You know what to expect and when to expect it. Today we went and spent under $60. We got a huge summer cabbage, spaghetti squash, 18 cobs of corn, a giant container of giant heirloom tomatoes, rainbow cherry tomatoes, german plums, tart plums, peaches, nectarines, fresh red potatoes, a jar of rhubarb jam, 2L of cider, a tray of gluten free cinnamon buns with icing, a gluten free brownie all topped off with a pizza bun for the kids to munch on the way home. The one farmer lured us back to his stall, he brought the kids 2 huge peaches and they wanted more! My daughters favourite stop is always the Mushroom guy! He always has a few neat surprises on his table and we have definitely enjoyed the benefits of fungus in our diet. 😊

Tip to the squash lovers - squash last a long time, most will last you to the spring. The grocery store charges you per pound!!! A market usually charges you flat rate. The spaghetti squash we got today would have cost us about $9 at the store because of the size. We paid $3. Squah can be soup, side, filling for pastas and dumplings, can it, pit into pierogies, used in spice bread and so much more! Sweet or savoury,...

Lovely market on Ottawa street north in Hamilton... on a Saturday morning. There's paid parking across the street (machine wasn't working so we got it for free?), but one can also look for free street parking along the many side streets.

The prices are reflective to what you'd pay at typical famers' markets (a little pricey), but everything looked fresh and vibrant.

Greta conversation about herbs and weed with the guys from Branching Path Farm. The bread from Luscious Ds (country loaf) is a MUST.. best bread I've had in a while.

Be sure to check out the wife/husband team at Nature Lion Mushrooms.. not only can you grab a mushroom growing starter kit, they also had a good selection of freshly harvested mushrooms for sale. For me, it was the conversation with the gentleman about growing, nurturing and re-growing mushrooms that stood out. They're very knowledgeable (or at least seemed that way) on the subject.

Excellent COVID...

A great place for fresh produce, open year-round! It really blossomed in recent years, thanks to a truly dedicated market manager who revamped it, bringing in new local area farmers and food vendors with plenty of offerings. Even during a difficult growing season, as in 2019, there's been plenty to choose from. Friendly folk with great food! (Note that the lots still charge for parking on Saturdays, so if you drive you might want to find street...