September has arrived, and with it come cold mornings and
warm afternoons. While its arrival is
always one of sadness since it marks the end of our summer, one of the best
things about September (other than the beginning of football season) is that it
always begins with a long weekend! An
extra day to spend together as a family is always a highlight of the fall. This
'September Long' our family chose to spend one of our mornings at the Symons
Valley Farmers Market; luckily for us, it just happens to be around the corner.
Located in the Symons Valley Ranch (est. 1968) in NW Calgary
between Evanston, Kincora and Sage Hill.
We arrived around 11am, and the parking lot was only about
half full; we lucked into a spot right by the front of the building. As soon as we got out of the vehicle we could
smell wonderful aromas of all different sorts of food cooking and baking. The smell of bread baking, meat cooking and
coffee roasting caused an audible grumble in our tummies.
Walking in the main entrance we could see the market was
busy with the bustle of people shopping, browsing, and just enjoying the local,
sustainable family run produce, meats & treats businesses. Colour is such an underrated part of the
shopping and cooking experience and Symons Valley is visually stunning. Everything from the vibrate blues and reds of
fresh berries to the browns and oranges of the squash bring makes shopping and
browsing a lively visual experience.
The colour was almost enough to distract T & I from
finding a coffee. Almost…
Before we could make our way to a coffee vendor, our first
stop was for all-natural vitamin water for little B. Filled with fresh Strawberries, lime and
mint, little B seemed to really enjoy his treat. With him quieted by his new drink, T & I
grabbed a Phil & Sebastian cappuccino.
On our way outside to enjoy our beverages in the sun, we couldn’t pass
up stopping for a homemade monster size Peanut Butter cookie from Dessert
Designs for all of us to share. We were
able to easily find a table outside in the little courtyard, which also has a
small play structure for the kids. The
coffees were a great treat, and the cookie was wonderfully fresh.
T & I picked up some Bison for dinner, along with a few
other items for us this week. Having
spent nearly an hour at the market, little B was starting to show signs of 'nap
time' so we knew that our visit was nearly over. We stopped at the Spicy Jamakan BBQ to go for
lunch to have at home. T had the Jerk
Chicken with Rice & Beans Plate while I had the Jerk Chicken with pineapple
wrap. If you like spicy food, you will
love the fare offered by the Spicy Jamakan.
The portions are very fair, and the price wasn’t ‘too hot’ to handle.
We had promised little B we would visit the Aviary located
at the entrance where they have Geese, peacocks, and other fouls. This very
cool attraction gives you more of the feeling of a traditional market.
One of the changes that we would like to see in the market
is the addition of new vendors, especially another bakery. The smell of fresh baked bread is one that
nearly everyone enjoys, and a bit of competition would offer some more
unique/specialty products.
After our visit today, T & I both agreed you can truly
do an entire grocery shop here. From fresh & frozen meats, dairy, veggies,
fruit, oils, pizza's, desserts, bakery's and a few cute boutiques that range
from speciality coffees for your single serving coffee machines and organic
safe soaps and clothes! Truly a market
for everyone, and I am so happy that it is in my neighbourhood.
Whether you are from South Calgary, Airdrie, or anywhere in
between, I would recommend taking a jaunt to the Symons Valley Farmers
Market.
K & T (but mostly K)
Please visit the Market's website for times, and vendors.
www.symonsvalleyranch.com
14555 Symons Valley Road NW, Calgary
We desperately need input for a rating scale; T’s suggestion
that we use a scale that rates our visit from 1-4 ninja turtles!
Until a less ‘iamstuckinthe80’sasa12yearold’ scale is developed,
we give Symons Valley Ranch 3 out of 4 Ninja Turtles.
