Outdoor Markets

August 16th, 2019

Harvest season is here. Over the next few weeks, local fruits and vegetables will appear alongside imports in the produce section at large-scale supermarkets. But short of growing your own, the best places to find freshly picked, local veggies are at seasonal, open-air markets and farmers’ markets.

Eating locally grown food benefits your health, the local economy, and the environment—besides which, fresher food just tastes better. If you haven’t subscribed to a farm’s weekly basket delivery service—as many city households do nowadays—the next best thing is to shop directly from farmers at a seasonal market. Here’s a short list of some of the many food markets found in and around Montreal.


MAJOR PUBLIC MARKETS IN MONTREAL
The Jean-Talon Market, located south of Villeray and east of Little Italy (Jean-Talon metro station), is one of the oldest markets in Montreal, as well as the largest and best known. Dozens of kiosks of fresh farm produce are complemented by shopkeepers who offer a wide variety of refined, gourmet products.
The Atwater Market, just north of the Lachine Canal at the south end of Atwater Street, is well known for its butcher shops, cheese shops, and seasonal, outdoor fruit and vegetable stands run by local producers.
On the corner of Ontario East and William-David Streets, the Maisonneuve Market is home to a produce market, a baker, a butcher, a fishmonger and a florist.
Located in the commercial centre of the neighbourhood of Lachine, at the corner of Notre-Dame Street and 18th Avenue, the Lachine Market is the oldest public market in Montreal, inaugurated in 1845.
Montreal’s main markets open every day at 7 a.m.
Info: marchespublics-mtl.com/marches

MARCHÉS SOLIDAIRES
Marchés solidaires are operated by Non-Profit Organizations that aim to improve the supply of fresh, local and affordable products in underserved Montreal neighbourhoods.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville Market (or Marché Sauvé), located at the exit of the Sauvé metro station, is open from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., until November 29.
Info: marcheac.com
Marché solidaire Frontenac (Frontenac metro station), Monday to Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
Marché solidaire Les Jardins Gamelin (Berri-UQAM metro station), Monday to Friday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Info: carrefouralimentaire.org/services-et-activites/manger/marche/

MARCHÉ FERMIER
An initiative of La Maison de l’amitié, the Marché fermier aims to promote access to seasonal food that is grown locally with a concern for environmental, social and economic sustainability.
The Laurier East site (at the north entrance of the Laurier metro station), at Rivard and Berri, is open Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until October 31 (and on November 3 and 10).
The Prince Arthur site, at the corner of Coloniale and Saint-Dominique: opens on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until September 27.
Info: marchefermier.ca

MARCHÉS D’ICI
The Marchés d’ici group maintains public markets in several municipalities in order to promote Québec products. Their markets are located in Val-David, Prévost, Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Lac-Brome and Ville Mont-Royal.
In Ville Mont-Royal, the market is open Thursdays until August 29, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Chemin Moyle.
Info: marchesdici.org

PETIT MARCHÉ DES HALLES
Le Petit Marché des Halles, located outside the Les Halles d’Anjou shopping centre, offers a wide range of seasonal local products: fruits, vegetables, maple products, herbs, flowers, plants, etc. Le Petit Marché has the same schedule as the mall: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, except Thursdays and Fridays, when it stays open until 9 p.m.
Info: 7500 Galleries d’Anjou Blvd. | 514 353-8436 | hallesdanjou.com

LONGUEUIL PUBLIC MARKET
Easily accessible from downtown Montreal, located along Route 116 before the Saint-Hubert Airport, the Longueuil public market offers farm products as well as a full range of foodstuffs: meats and seafood, cheese, deli and bakery products. Open every day from 9 a.m.
Info: 4200 de la Savane Road, Longueuil | marchelongueuil.com

MARKET AT SAINTE-ANNE
The Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue market is home to more than 40 merchants including agricultural producers and is found along the waterfront promenade in Lalonde Park. The summer market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 19.
Info: marchesainteanne.ca