At an Alberta-approved farmers market, at least 80% of vendors must sell products they made, baked, or grew. Again, do not get intimidated by the lists below. If you want to sell something different that does not fit any of the lines below, you just need to find out what rules apply. Also, Farmers Markets have a limited number of visitors, so if you sell something that made people sick or they thought it made them sick, there will not be many of those people and no class action lawsuit against you.
Allowed products may include:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, garlic, and flowers
- Breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes (no meat, dairy, egg filling)
- Jams, jellies, pickles, and other preserves (subject to PH requirements)
- Honey and roasted coffee
- Approved jerky, cheese, processed meats, and sausages (additional requirements)
- Handcrafted jewelry, artwork, woodwork, clothing, and pottery
- Complementary resale products, limited to 20% of the market’s vendor mix
Products that are not permitted include:
- Used, antique, or flea-market goods
- Uninspected meat or meat products
- Raw milk or unpasteurized milk products
- Live animals and hatching eggs
- Products containing CBD or THC
Food vendors must follow the preparation, handling, and labeling rules that apply to their products. Within one year of joining an approved market, vendors selling food or agricultural products must complete Alberta Food Safety Basics for Farmers Markets, unless they have completed another recognized course.
Course information and vendor guidance are available through the Government of Alberta’s farmers market resources. Alberta Health Services also provides information about food-safety courses and certification requirements.
Always confirm the requirements for your particular product with the market manager and, when necessary, a public health inspector.