Buy It Fresh, Buy It Local in Charlottetown

They say you are what you eat, and the incredible food scene on Prince Edward Island represents the generations of hard-working farmers, fishers, foragers, and artisans who lovingly work with the land and sea.

Drawn by the desire to reimagine these beautiful ingredients, chefs from all walks of life flock here to tell their own culinary stories while continuing to honour these rural roots with every masterpiece they create.

So, during your visit, be sure to take in the abundance of local, fresh food available at farmers’ markets, restaurants, and local shops throughout the city. Hey, maybe you’ll even be inspired to bring these ingredients to life with your own hands!

1) SPECIALTY FOOD SHOPS & MARKETS
You’ll be delighted by the variety of local and specialty food shops, including Kent Street Market, MR Seafoods, Riverview Country Market, KJL Meats, Gallant’s & Co., Liquid Gold, Receiver Coffee Co., Farmacy + Fermentary, Mike’s Island Market, Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, and Jewell’s Country Market. At these shops and farmers’ markets, you’ll discover an array of artisan food products, such as fresh artisan bread, handmade chocolates, free-range eggs, mind-blowing cheese, hormone-free meats, PEI preserves, craft sodas, creamy fauxmage (vegan cheese), organic kombucha, and more.

2) DROP BY A FARMSTAND
Take a drive beyond the city limits and you’ll find plenty more options to buy local food at seasonal markets, shops, and even at some farms. Keep your eyes peeled while driving along PEI’s highways and backroads, as you may happen upon farmstands set up roadside. Typically unattended, these inviting stands offer seasonal treats, including famous PEI potatoes, strawberries, Island honey, apples, and other homegrown goodies. Just be sure you bring some change to leave in the cash box or jar! The honour system is alive & well.

3) CELEBRATE THE HARVEST
The end of summer brings with it the PEI Fall Flavours Festival (Sept 26 – Oct 5), a culinary festival that takes place in communities across Prince Edward Island in October. Farm Day in the City presented by the PEI Potato Growers (Oct 6) is the largest open-air market and street festival in PEI. It’s a treat for the senses with over 180 food & artisan vendors, live entertainment, a petting zoo, kids’ activities, live painting, and more.

4) TAKE A COOKING CLASS – Once you’ve had a chance to try some of the Island’s compelling flavours, you might even want to find out how to cook with them! Sign up for a class and learn from some of the Island’s finest chefs, like Chef Brittany Boothroyd (of Wild Kitchen) at Founders’ Food Hall Demo Kitchen or one of the Culinary Institute of Canada’s experienced chefs during a Culinary Bootcamp.

TO MARKET, WE GO…

MID-TOWN – A must-visit is the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market where mingling is as popular a pastime as shopping for farm fresh items. This longstanding market features 60+ vendors, including farmers, food producers, hot (and cold – think oysters) food vendors, crafters, and artisans. Open Saturdays (9am – 2pm) throughout the year and Wednesdays from late June to the middle of October.

DOWNTOWN – Every Sunday throughout the summer (July – Sept, 10am – 3pm), the Downtown Farmers’ Market sets up a beautiful outdoor market with vendor tents in the green space at Confederation Landing. You can find homemade treats, local produce, a hot lunch, artisan wares, and lots of other goodies. You won’t want to miss this quintessential PEI shopping experience!

HARBOURSIDE – Founders’ Food Hall & Market is the perfect waterfront oasis for food lovers. Located in one of the city’s most stunning historic spaces, this urban market features several local food vendors serving up high-quality food & drink, including freshly baked goods, sushi burritos, Italian-style paninis, gourmet burgers, authentic Mexican delights, vegan comfort food, French Carribean, incredible pizza, baked potatoes, gourmet donuts & more.

OUTSKIRTS – Take a 15-minute drive northeast from the downtown core, and you’ll happen upon Jewell’s Country Market, home to some of the freshest seasonal produce and a lush garden centre. The market is stocked with locally made preserves, pottery, birdhouses, home goods, crafts, and more. Make an afternoon out of it – grab some grub from the Ol’ Boys food truck, enjoy a scoop of PEI’s best ADL ice cream, watch the kids bounce on the jump pillow from the beer garden, and toss some snacks to the goats – all on-site!

Now there you have it. Shopping local in Charlottetown done right. For a full list of these amazing places, check out our Local Markets page for all the goods!

Need a place to stay? Check out our amazing selection of accommodations. Curious what else to do around Charlottetown? Don’t miss a beat over on our events page.

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