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A day at The Forks Market: Winnipeg, Canada

Experiencing local food is an essential part of being in a new destination -- the mortar that binds the many pieces of the travel experience.  For this and other reasons, TravelGumbo loves visiting markets around the world.  On these pages we've featured markets from South America, North America, Asia and Europe.  We've not previously visited a market in the middle of a cold Canadian winter, so let me show you what this looks like when it's -20 C outside.

 

Entrance to The Forks Market, Winnipeg

 

While visiting out father in Winnipeg this past winter, my brother and I decided to spend a few hours at "The Forks".  Anyone who's been to Winnipeg will know the important context of these words.  "The Forks" refers to the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, the historic site at which the city was founded.   A hundred years ago it became a place of warehouses, train stations and business, but the region fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century.  Twenty-five years ago several of the old warehouses and train terminals were refurbished and converted into a modern market.  With bright skylights, a controlled climate and a cheerful atmosphere, it's a nice place to go -- especially on a cold winter day.  Beyond the market there's numerous restaurants, walking paths, a (live) theater, Children's Museum, baseball stadium (Winnipeg Goldeyes), and a soon to be opened Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  These places are delightful to visit, especially in the summer, but our focus today is on the Forks Market.

 

Old truck in The Forks Market, Winnipeg)

Produce vendor, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

 

In the summer the Forks has an active and very popular Farmer's market; Manitoba has some of the most fertile farmland in the world and while its summer is short, the days are long and warm and vegetables especially do very well.  Obviously not much grows outside at -20 C, so produce during the winter is mostly imported and frankly not that interesting (although some more durable local produce like potatoes, root vegetables and such are still around).  That shouldn't dissuade you from visiting because there's lots of interesting stuff to see inside these cozy buildings with the wonderful skylights.  There's fresh baked goods, cheeses and wine, candy and those great mini-donuts you usually by at fairs, and many small vendors that sell tasty inexpensive meals.  Smoked fish from Lake Winnipeg are considered a delicacy and Canadian made food is on ready display as you can see below.

 

Smoked Lake Winnipeg "Goldey", the Forks Market, Winnipeg

 

The food stuffs are mostly on the main floor of the complex;  above, on the second floor is an assortment of shops selling durable goods like clothes and Canadian-made items that might interest you and which you're unlikely to find elsewhere.  

 

So here is a photo gallery of a visit to "The Forks" Market on a cold winter's day.   To learn more about a photo, roll your mouse over it to see its legend or enlarge the thumbnails below for full legends:

 

Produce vendor, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Stacks of potatoes, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Garlic, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Beets and brussel sprouts, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Display showing how mushrooms grow, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Bakery, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Bakery, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Pickled brussel sprouts and asparagus, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Spiced local pears and apples, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Handmade toffee, , the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Candy shop, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Candy shop, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Maple syrup display, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Maple syrup display, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Wild Rice harvested in Manitoba, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Canadian Tea blends, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Canadian Tea blends, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Canadian Tea blends, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Food vendors, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Skylight and flags, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Skylight and flags, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Street musicians, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Small child, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Hand-made mocassins, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Hand-crafted boots, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Hand-crafted gloves, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Hand-crafted jacket, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

First Nations art, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Inuit carving of a polar bear, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Beautiful flute, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Handicrafts, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

beautifully crafted bowl, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Attachments

Images (35)
  • Entrance to The Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Old truck in The Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Produce vendor, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Produce vendor, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Sacks of potatoes, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Garlic, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Beets and brussel sprouts, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Display showing how mushrooms grow, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Bakery, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Bakery, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Pickled brussel sprouts and asparagus, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Spiced local pears and apples, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Handmade toffee, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Candy shop, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Candy shop, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Smoked Lake Winnipeg "Goldeye", the Forks Market, Winnipeg: A delicacy.
  • Maple syrup display, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Maple syrup display, the Forks Market, Winnipeg: Love the golden color, and there's nothing better on pancakes
  • Wild Rice harvested in Manitoba, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Canadian Tea blends, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Canadian Tea blends, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Food vendors, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Skylight and flags, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Skylight and flags, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Street musicians, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Small child, the Forks Market, Winnipeg: This toddle was fascinate by the street musicians
  • Hand-made mocassins, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Hand-crafted boots, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Hand-crafted gloves, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Hand-crafted jacket, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • First Nations art, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Inuit carving of a polar bear, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Beautiful flute, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • Handicrafts, the Forks Market, Winnipeg
  • beautifully crafted bowl, the Forks Market, Winnipeg

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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