Fresh Routes Mobile Food Market | Calgary, AB Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:04:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://freshroutes.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-FR-Site-Icon-32x32.png Fresh Routes 32 32 Kiwi Spinach Smoothie https://freshroutes.ca/kiwi-spinach-smoothie/ https://freshroutes.ca/kiwi-spinach-smoothie/#view_comments Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:49:21 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary-copy-copy-copy-copy-copy/ The post Kiwi Spinach Smoothie appeared first on Fresh Routes.

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Broccoli Cheddar Soup https://freshroutes.ca/broccoli-cheddar-soup/ https://freshroutes.ca/broccoli-cheddar-soup/#view_comments Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:46:00 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary-copy-copy-copy-copy/ The post Broccoli Cheddar Soup appeared first on Fresh Routes.

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Mandarin Orange Salad https://freshroutes.ca/mandarin-orange-salad/ https://freshroutes.ca/mandarin-orange-salad/#view_comments Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:45:19 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary-copy-copy-copy/ The post Mandarin Orange Salad appeared first on Fresh Routes.

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Zucchini and Tomato Frittata https://freshroutes.ca/zucchini-and-tomato-frittata/ https://freshroutes.ca/zucchini-and-tomato-frittata/#view_comments Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:44:29 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary-copy-copy/ The post Zucchini and Tomato Frittata appeared first on Fresh Routes.

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Roasted Vegetable Medley https://freshroutes.ca/roasted-vegetable-medley/ https://freshroutes.ca/roasted-vegetable-medley/#view_comments Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:26:41 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary-copy/ The post Roasted Vegetable Medley appeared first on Fresh Routes.

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Smart Grocery Shopping in Calgary: Making Every Dollar Count https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary/ https://freshroutes.ca/smart-grocery-shopping-in-calgary/#view_comments Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:35 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/?p=2453 As the cost of living increases in the province, Calgarians are struggling to pay their bills and afford basic needs. Here are some tips and tricks to have your money go further when you grocery shop.  Buy Your Produce at Fresh Routes! We bring fresh and affordable groceries to various locations across the city. Our organization’s…

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As the cost of living increases in the province, Calgarians are struggling to pay their bills and afford basic needs. Here are some tips and tricks to have your money go further when you grocery shop. 

Buy Your Produce at Fresh Routes!

We bring fresh and affordable groceries to various locations across the city. Our organization’s mission is to provide fresh and affordable food to communities that may not have easy access to traditional grocery stores due to multiple barriers. For those with limited mobility or a busy schedule, we provide delicious frozen meals as well. We are here to support your financial and dietary needs. 

Check out our schedule to see the next time we are in your area!

Attend a Pay What You Want Market

There are many options to purchase affordable groceries that offer an honour system of payment. Fresh Routes partnered with The Social Impact Lab to bring Open Market to Calgary, a Pay What You Want local food market where Calgarians can choose to pay less, pay the suggested price or pay more. Open Market opens every Thursday at the Meadowlark Community Association from 5-7 pm. 

Community markets only work when people take and pay for a reasonable amount and are considerate of other buyers. They are a great low-cost alternative for individuals and families with a limited budget.

Buy Online  

If you find yourself prone to the marketing tactics of your default grocery store, most places have a delivery service for a small fee. Superstore has next day delivery for $6.00 and pick-up for only $1.00. Buying online allows you to review your shopping cart at the end and remove any items that are not necessary.  

Another option is to buy a meal kit such as HelloFresh. The portions are designed to be used for the meal with no waste. However, the cost is usually higher for the pre-portioned meals.

Buy Produce in Season 

In-season produce is likely to be priced lower as grocery stores have a large supply. This fall, stock up on apples, beets, cranberries, pumpkins and shallots and you are likely to save money on your next grocery bill. Fresh Routes sources produce from local farmers and local suppliers so you always know that everything is in season.  

Cooking blog the spruceEats provides a comprehensive guide for in-season foods specifically for Alberta.  

Shop on Wednesdays

According to a survey study by Drive Research, 59 percent of consumers shop for groceries on Friday (20%), Saturday (23%), or Sunday (16%). Grocery stores capitalize off of the high traffic and higher prices are often the result. Most sources recommend shopping on Wednesday because stores usually end their weekly promotions and stock up on new inventory.

Make a List and Stick to It 

If you have been grocery shopping for a while, you most likely have a rough estimate of what you need and, more importantly, what you don’t. Choose foods that energize you and proportions that will not lead to waste. Yes, there may be an unbelievable deal on broccoli bunches, but will you be able to finish all of it before they go bad? Even having a rough recipe in mind can help cut down unnecessary costs.

Look at the Price Per Pound 

Contrary to popular belief, buying the bigger packet is not always cheaper. Stores are aware of this popular belief, so they sometimes increase the bulk prices for a profit. Additionally, people living on their own usually don’t need bulk quantities.

Share your grocery shopping tips and tricks with us the next time you stop by one of our markets!

Author: Nazeefa Ahmed

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3 Healthy Tofu Recipes for a Quick and Easy Lunch https://freshroutes.ca/3-healthy-tofu-recipes-for-a-quick-and-easy-lunch/ https://freshroutes.ca/3-healthy-tofu-recipes-for-a-quick-and-easy-lunch/#view_comments Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:16 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/?p=2442 3 Healthy Tofu Recipes for a Quick and Easy Lunch Tofu, traditionally a staple in Asian cuisine, has become a global pantry essential. Packed with up to 22 grams of protein per half cup (as estimated by the USDA), it’s a nutrient powerhouse, offering calcium, manganese, iron, vitamin A, and essential amino acids. Ideal for…

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3 Healthy Tofu Recipes for a Quick and Easy Lunch

Tofu, traditionally a staple in Asian cuisine, has become a global pantry essential. Packed with up to 22 grams of protein per half cup (as estimated by the USDA), it’s a nutrient powerhouse, offering calcium, manganese, iron, vitamin A, and essential amino acids. Ideal for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets, tofu is a versatile choice for anyone looking to diversify their culinary experiences.

3 Quick and Easy Tofu Lunches

Swap out your usual fast food lunch for these quick, easy, and energizing tofu recipes. They’re perfect for recharging your batteries in the second half of your day.

1. Inari or Pocket Sushi

Inari sushi, a version of Japanese sushi, is a perfect lunch for busy days. These sweet and salty tofu pockets filled with sushi rice have evolved globally, incorporating various toppings like spicy salmon, tempura shrimp, and vegan alternatives. They’re versatile and can be filled with almost anything, including your tasty leftovers. Find tofu pockets at your local grocery store or Asian markets like T&T in Calgary.

2. Crispy Tofu and Dip

If you have a soft spot for anything crunchy, tofu chips with a tangy dip may be your new go-to work snack. The subtle and slightly nutty flavour of the tofu will be complemented by a creamy and high-citrus sauce. 

The tofu can simply be rinsed of moisture, cut into flakes, baked on a baking sheet, and seasoned with spices of your choice. A recipe by yummy.ph can get you started — you also can use an air fryer to make the chips. Dips can be made with a dairy base, lemon, green onion and olive oil. 

For a heartier meal, the tofu can be cut into fries and can be served as a side or as the chips in fish and chips. Here is a delicious Crispy Crunchy Tofu Fries recipe by food blogger Justine Dioron that you can use to bulk up lunches.  

Most chips (cough, Doritos) resemble processed animal feed more than human food — they contain the popular food additive monosodium glutamate which has been shown to be toxic and cause obesity when consumed frequently. Making your own high-protein chips or fries is one way you can control the ingredients going into your body.

3. Tofu Stir Fry

Revive your leftover veggies with a tofu stir fry. The secret, according to Delish, is to simmer firm tofu in salt water before adding it to your stir-fry. Enhance it with Fresh Routes veggies like green peppers and red onions. For recipe inspiration, explore Tomato Tofu Stir-Fry by Cheap Lazy Vegan or Weeknight Tofu Stir Fry by Choosing Chia.

Here are a few places to start:

Tomato Tofu Stir-Fry by Cheap Lazy Vegan: Use the Roma tomatoes from Fresh Routes to make a tasty stir-fry for a vegan diet. Serve with some avocados for some creamy freshness.

Tofu Stir Fry by Well Plated: This tasty recipe by food blogger Erin Clarke uses fresh vegetables and quinoa to complement the buttery taste of the tofu.

Sesame Ginger Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry by Little Spice Jar: For those who like stronger aromatic flavours, this recipe uses a freshly grated ginger and garlic combination that will make your taste buds sing.

Weeknight Tofu Stir Fry by Choosing Chia: This classic stir fry only takes 30 minutes to prep and cook, making it a great lunch to meal prep in large quantities for the week.


Treat tofu like chicken: what can’t you do with it? Add tofu to burgers, lettuce wraps, curries, skewers and stews, confident in its health benefits.

Connect With Us

We’re excited to hear about your tofu culinary adventures! Share your creations with us online or during your next visit to our Fresh Routes market.

Author: Nazeefa Ahmed

3 Healthy Tofu Recipes for a Quick and Easy Lunch

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Spotlight on Martin Robillard https://freshroutes.ca/spotlight-on-martin-robillard/ https://freshroutes.ca/spotlight-on-martin-robillard/#view_comments Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:01:32 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/back-to-school-healthy-eating-copy/ Transform your fresh summer produce into long-lasting treats through pickling and canning! This guide offers valuable insights and easy recipes to keep your cucumbers, zucchinis, and more delicious all year round.

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I can’t get enough of buying tomatoes. I make tomato sandwiches, I make salads with it, I roast them and put them in spaghetti sauce and I eat them just roasted for breakfast.

Staff Shout-out: Carma Buchholz-Campbell 

I would give that shout-out to Carma right now who’s running multiple markets. I know she’s tired like I am, but she’s powering through it and she came and helped me at Tsuut’ina. She’s running a market there and is side by side with me after a very, very busy day already.

Volunteer Shout-out: Catherine Young 

Catherine covers the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association Market. We want her to know that we miss her and are sending her lots of love as she is going through her very stressful health issues.

Martin Robillard is a route operator with Fresh Routes managing both urban and indigenous markets across Calgary. Today, we sat down with him at the University of Calgary market to share his story. 

What is the best part about working at Fresh Routes?

I love the social outreach that we’re doing to address food insecurity. We work in urban settings and in reserves. Today, we are at the University of Calgary trying to support the budgets of students with huge expenses. We go to communities that are vulnerable to financial burdens and health issues. The reserves we go to are dealing with their own type of food insecurity as well. We get to help all those people on a daily basis.

Given that you used to work in the hospitality industry and owned a restaurant, what did you observe in that industry that motivated you to switch careers and join Fresh Routes?

In my upbringing, I travelled quite immensely, and I saw cultures and communities all over the world, some thriving, some not thriving, and that led me to have a life-long goal of never wasting food. 

Then, when I worked in the hospitality industry, I saw a lot of waste, high costs, and greed. So when Covid-19 hit, I made a decision to do something about that, and not just have a business for profit. I wanted to do something more in the food insecurity world where I could affect prices.

What role do you believe the government has in addressing food insecurity?

The food industry is making humongous profit margins over profit margins and it’s absolutely ridiculous. We need to work on taxing the elite in those industries so that we can take some of that money and apply it to reducing costs, creating more programs around food insecurity, creating more fresh produce-like businesses and funding more non-profit and food bank options as well. 

I think the dignity model is just reducing the costs. If we can find smaller shops that are charging less, and then give them the opportunity to sustain themselves, such as those in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, I think that would really help. The government can help by just addressing the problem at the root. 

Do you believe that the general public can do something to initiate change?

As a shopper, write to your MLAs and write that food insecurity is something that’s bothering you. The food costs are rising and people are stretching their dollars too far and families are not surviving well. People are buying cheaper and unhealthy food and it has a huge cyclical repercussion.

What would you like to say to the customers who shop weekly at Fresh Routes?

I want to thank our loyal customers and I want to say if you haven’t come please give us a try. We are a very low-cost alternative and we do pride ourselves in bringing a good variety of produce at good prices and we come right to you.

Author: Nazeefa Ahmed

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Back to School Healthy Eating: Setting Yourself Up For Success https://freshroutes.ca/back-to-school-healthy-eating/ https://freshroutes.ca/back-to-school-healthy-eating/#view_comments Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:29:22 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/world-food-day-copy/ Transform your fresh summer produce into long-lasting treats through pickling and canning! This guide offers valuable insights and easy recipes to keep your cucumbers, zucchinis, and more delicious all year round.

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At the beginning of the semester, we as students often have grand ideas of how the year is going to look. We imagine a future of healthy meals, excellent grades, and lively social lives. Not realizing that our goals require planning and dedication to be successful.

Student meals are often an afterthought in our day — a granola bar scarfed down in between classes, french fries from the closest fast food chain, and oftentimes, no meal at all just to save some time and money. However, we forget to prioritize the quality of our meals in the name of productivity. Our brain is the most energy-demanding organ and requires sufficient fuel to work at its highest capacity. An inadequate diet may hinder our academic performance over time as well as our mental health.

To help you avoid those late-night ramen runs during midterm season, here are some valuable tips:

Prioritize a Decently-Sized Breakfast

Prioritize Breakfast

Whenever I used to have breakfast, I was filled with an overwhelming nausea and heaviness in the pit of my stomach. I refused to eat breakfast for years and would wait until my head was spinning before eating anything — a big mistake. It is better to see a doctor about why you don’t like eating in the morning rather than avoiding the problem altogether.

For most people, a high-protein breakfast will energize you and keep your mind sharp during classes, without the subsequent crash. Your body will work with you if you prioritize its needs and listen to its symptoms — which usually point to a bigger issue that needs to be solved.

For those facing socioeconomic barriers to food, consider reaching out to university services, student groups, or government-funded programs. Fresh Routes offers affordable and nutritious produce options to support your daily nutritional needs.

Plan Your Meals For The Week

Balancing classes, extracurriculars, work, and volunteer commitments leaves little time for daily cooking. Consequently, many students resort to fast food for convenience. This is where meal prepping becomes your best ally.

Allocate a few hours on weekends to prepare at least one of your weekly meals. You can prepare lunches and dinners in advance or opt to cook dinner and purchase lunch at school. Meal prepping not only alleviates the constant cooking pressure but also ensures you receive the nutrients necessary for overall health and well-being.

To kickstart your meal prep journey, consider these recommendations from popular YouTubers:

1. Why You Should NEVER Meal Prep As A Student! (Kinda)

The YouTuber KWOOWK will walk you through a realistic meal-prepping session for a week, prioritizing taste, nutrition, and variety. He discusses secrets such as creating a magic sauce and freezing vegetables for a high-protein breakfast smoothie. 

2. Meal Planning As a College Student: Budget Friendly + Healthy

Riley Rehl is a senior college student living off campus who uses a more traditional meal-prepping strategy. She cooks two different recipes for the week (10 meals) and relies on grocery store varieties such as Greek yogurt for breakfasts and snacks. 

3. These 15 Minute Lunches Will Change Your Life 

Mike Greenfield shares four 15-minute lunch recipes that are designed to be light and fulfilling so that you don’t crash during the day. His meals include many food groups and are portable and tasty! 

4. Control Your Environment

At the end of the day, you are not wholly responsible for the food that you eat, as socioeconomic and time constraints can force you to choose foods that may not be the best for your health. However, temptation can be what is holding some students back from achieving their dietary goals. Try to avoid common restaurants and stores that you are drawn to and prepare ahead of time so that you are not buying meals for convenience. 

If you find yourself buying the same sugary drink every day — even though you do not want to drink it and know that you shouldn’t — you may be suffering from a bad habit rather than poor planning. Here are some resources that can help you escape a habitual rut:

If there is one thing that you should take away from this blog post, it is that you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself while trying to be healthy. The key is to limit the unhealthy food through a “reward” system rather than shunning it away altogether. You can enjoy a doughnut without feeling guilty if you have systems in place that allow you to eat healthy most of the time. 

Being a student is not easy. It takes a lot of willpower to wake up every day and power through our to-do lists, often not knowing where it will all lead — our meals don’t have to be this way. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be pillars of consistency that our bodies can rely on as we slowly organize our futures.     

Fresh Routes holds affordable markets at the following schools:

  • Mount Royal University: Every Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Bow Valley College: Every Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • University of Calgary: Every Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

We would love to hear about how you use our affordable produce to meal prep and improve your diet and lifestyle!

Author: Nazeefa Ahmed

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World Food Day: A Time for Reflection, Advocacy, and Change https://freshroutes.ca/world-food-day/ https://freshroutes.ca/world-food-day/#view_comments Mon, 16 Oct 2023 17:21:50 +0000 https://freshroutes.ca/pickling-and-canning-produce-from-your-summer-garden-sweet-and-sour-recipes-copy/ Transform your fresh summer produce into long-lasting treats through pickling and canning! This guide offers valuable insights and easy recipes to keep your cucumbers, zucchinis, and more delicious all year round.

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Since 1981, people across the globe have recognized World Food Day as a time to raise awareness of world hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. October 16 was chosen to commemorate the founding of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945, but the significance of the day has spread to addressing systemic issues of food access and quality through local and global initiatives.

Food as a Human Right

Fresh Routes recognizes that having consistent access to affordable and nutritious food is a right for all human beings. This is why we have made it our mission to provide Calgarians with the ability to shop for their groceries while meeting their financial needs. We hope that our work inspires Canadians to start their own markets or support their local not-for-profit.

Food Insecurity in a Developed Nation

Canada may be a first-world country, but people are struggling to feed themselves. According to Statistics Canada income data from 2022, 18.4% of people in 10 provinces live in food-insecure households. Within the food-insecure group, 1.4 million Canadians are severely food insecure. To put that into perspective, 1.4 million is the estimated population of Calgary — we have a city of people scattered across the country who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

The Ripple Effect of Food Insecurity

Limited or unpredictable access to food creates systemic issues that put a strain on our systems and institutions. Low-income individuals often prioritize cost over nutritional value and consume easily accessible and unhealthy foods, which increase susceptibility to chronic disease.

Persons with disabilities are unable to travel to grocery stores and struggle to prepare food, often relying on takeout to feed themselves. Children with unstable living conditions may not have a reliable guardian to provide meals for them, and the unpredictability stunts normal mental and physical development. Food insecurity usually stems from a root cause that the individual often has limited control over.

The Decline of Nutrient-Rich Produce

On World Food Day, we also recognize that the nutritional content of our produce has been decreasing. To increase yields, modern farming practices often disregard soil quality, which decreases the concentration of macro and micronutrients that our bodies rely on to remain healthy and functional. That, in addition to the prevalence and convenience of highly processed foods, creates numerous health problems that increase chronic disease and put a strain on our healthcare systems. Food-insecure individuals often do not have many food choices and therefore often face greater health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders.

Despite these problems, there is always an opportunity for change if people reflect on their role in addressing systemic food insecurity. Local initiatives are the most impactful because they are closest to the individual people in our communities. The community food banks, pay-what-you-can markets, community pantries, and locally-owned grocery stores can provide support to the most vulnerable among us. Consumers who are not directly involved in providing food can write to their elected representatives and be a voice for those who often suffer alone.

Moral Obligation

Ultimately, those ones who are privileged — those who are able to comfortably pay for their basic needs, who have the ability to donate their time, or even the resources to advocate for change — have the moral obligation to support our local communities. We must always look after our neighbours, the people who are the backbone of our society, often working minimum-wage jobs that barely make ends meet. They are the people who have no security net to protect them from pandemics or inflation — days like World Food Day are a reminder of these harsh realities and our individual responsibility to address them.

Get Involved: Support Fresh Routes

Be the change you would like to see in the world by supporting Fresh Routes’ mission by getting involved with the organization or simply being a proud customer. We set up markets weekly at numerous locations across the city. We also collect donations through our website that help support us in providing affordable food to those in critical need. Prospective volunteers are also encouraged to apply on our volunteer page.

Author: Nazeefa Ahmed

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