The provincial government on the weekend announced a free app to help Albertans find up-to-date information about farmers' markets.

The Conference Board of Canada estimates the economic footprint of rural Alberta to be $77.4 billion annually.

“Alberta’s agriculture and food processing industry thrives on using innovative technology to increase efficiency and find new ways to do business. With an increasing cultural shift towards fresh, local foods, this app will help connect Albertans with producers,” says Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The mobile app, which can be downloaded for Apple and Android devices, is aimed at improving the quality, timeliness and consistency of information for market-goers. The app puts farmers’ market information in the palm of your hand wherever you are in the province and gives users a single source for the most current information on approved farmers’ markets in Alberta.

Farmers’ markets are the number one agri-tourism attraction in Alberta, providing a great shopping experience where consumers can ‘savour time’ rather than ‘save time’. They are a chance to shop in a relaxed, fun atmosphere while accessing quality foods and products.