With over 30 farm stands across Calgary, you can shop fresh local produce from a farmer close to home. Imagine sweet tomatoes, bunches of basil, or sun-kissed strawberries. Think of the culinary adventures—from zesty stir-fries to rainbow salads—that await your kitchen!

Often, good food goes to waste and ends up in the compost bin. Food waste can happen when we buy too much, cook too much, or don't store food correctly. We can make an impact by creating less waste.

Learn effective ways to avoid good food being thrown away.

Highfield Farm is located on 15-acres in the heart of the industrial community of Manchester. The property was home to the Blackfoot Farmers’ Market until 2013, and remained vacant after the market closed. In partnership with the Compost Council of Canada, the property has been transformed into a thriving urban farm.

The farm features:

• organic vegetable plots
• beekeeping
• a greenhouse
• community gathering space
• forest trails and
• a compost production centre.

Produce grown is donated to community agencies and sold at the Highfield Farm stand on property.

The City of Calgary recognizes the importance of building a resilient food system through diverse sources of food. The City wants to make it easier for indoor farming companies to establish their operations in Calgary.

Indoor farming includes raising and producing fruits, vegetables, plants or other agricultural products for sale. It can include growing, raising, culturing or cultivating practices, and activities such as harvesting, storing, sorting, cleaning, processing and the preparation for sale of produce and agricultural products grown in the facility.

The City of Calgary provides regulation and licensing for urban beekeeping. This helps address issues and create solutions for bees, beekeepers and neighbours. This program was introduced in Spring 2022.

The urban livestock licensing program enables Calgarians to keep backyard hens. The program accepted 100 applicants under a pilot project in 2022. 

Learn more about the urban hen program and how to apply.

Ensuring a reliable, nutritious food supply for all Calgarians requires a strong food system. The food supply must be able to adapt to local and global challenges. Natural and non-natural disasters can have a direct impact the functionality of food systems. Climate change, high energy prices, increasing world population, and crisis events can disrupt the food system. Those communities with the most vulnerabilities are at the greatest risk.

The City will work with communities to develop and implement a Food Resilience Plan for Calgary. The purpose of the plan is to ensure Calgary has a well-functioning food system. A system where food is available, accessible (physically, economically) and acceptable for Calgarians. This includes before, during and after a disruptive event. The Food Resilience Plan will consider the full food system: production, processing, distribution, access, consumption and food waste recovery. It will also consider the hazards and vulnerabilities that could lead to a food system disruption. This project will focus on capturing data from communities that experience the greatest inequities.

An urban agriculture pilot program to support and expand the production of locally grown food.

The City is committed to building a local food system which provides equitable access to healthy food.

• Growing Spaces will provide supports to Calgary‘s gardeners, farmers and businesses. 
• Growing Spaces promotes environmental sustainability; and utilizes vacant space productively.

The initiative connects growers to vacant City-owned land and buildings. This initiative supports new farm “incubation” opportunities through short-term leases. Through partnership, the program ensures growers can produce food, flowers, fibre, and fuel in ways which are environmentally and socially responsible. Further, it educates Calgarians on opportunities to engage in building a stronger local food system.

Household food production can include a variety of spaces and produce. Grow herbs and small vegetables inside your house. Plant fruit and vegetables in the ground or in raised beds in your yard. Food production at home can include vertical gardens, balcony gardens, rooftop gardens, and greenhouses. You can grow a wealth of fresh food in even the smallest garden plot or containers. The benefits of growing your own herbs, vegetables, and fruits can include:

• Healthy, fresh produce for you and your family.
• Reducing the environmental impact of food transport and storage.
• Connection with nature and raising awareness of local food.

• Backyard greenhouse guidelines
• YardSmart - gardening and landscaping
• Design your home and yard to be climate ready
  

Boulevards are generally located between property lines, are City owned and are usually grass.

Boulevards are owned by The City. However, homeowners are responsible for maintenance of the boulevard next to their property. Since most boulevards are grass, it may be possible to plant a garden. In all cases, permission from The City is required.

Community gardens can enhance the health and well-being of neighbourhoods and communities in Calgary. The City values community gardens and supports the creation of new community gardens on public lands, as well as the retention of existing community gardens in the city. We're pleased to support community gardens by working with a variety of community organizations.