The scent of sizzling Filipino lumpia mingled with the sweet perfume of Ukrainian honey cake as I wandered through St. Norbert Farmers’ Market last weekend. Two grandmothers from different continents laughed together over a shared recipe revelation while their grandchildren chased each other through the aisles. This is Winnipeg in spring—a city awakening not just to warmer temperatures but to a celebration of its multicultural food heritage.
As May unfolds across Manitoba, Winnipeg transforms into a veritable playground for food enthusiasts. The city’s culinary landscape reflects waves of immigration that have shaped its identity—from the MĂ©tis foundations to Ukrainian, Filipino, and South Asian influences that have enriched local food traditions for generations.
“Food festivals aren’t just about eating,” explains Julia Martinez, organizer of the upcoming Latin American Food Festival at The Forks. “They’re living museums where recipes carried across oceans and borders are preserved and shared. When you taste someone’s food, you’re tasting their history.”
This month offers a particularly vibrant array of food-focused events that showcase Winnipeg’s diverse communities. Here’s what’s cooking around the city:
The South Osborne Farmers’ Market reopens May 19, bringing together over 40 local producers from across Manitoba. Walking between stalls last year, I met Aisha Khadr, who fled Syria in 2016 and now sells traditional Middle Eastern pastries. “My baklava connects me to Damascus,” she told me while carefully arranging honey-drenched diamonds in her display case. “When Winnipeggers taste it, they taste my hometown.”
According to research from Tourism Winnipeg, food-focused community events generate approximately $12 million annually for the local economy while strengthening social bonds across cultural groups. These numbers reflect more than economic impact—they represent thousands of stories exchanged over shared meals.
The Philippine Association of Manitoba will host its 13th annual Mabuhay Festival on May 24-26 at the RBC Convention Centre. Beyond the spectacular performances, the festival’s heart beats in its food pavilion where three generations of Filipino-Canadians often work side by side. The aroma of slowly simmered adobo and freshly fried lumpia draws crowds from across the province.
“Food traditions were sometimes all our grandparents could bring when they immigrated,” says Association President Elena Santos. “Now we see young Filipino-Canadians learning traditional recipes alongside modern fusion approaches. It’s evolution in action.”
For those seeking locally sourced delights, the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market has expanded its Saturday operations for the season. According to the Manitoba Farm Fresh Food Council, direct-to-consumer food sales have increased by 42% since 2019 as more Winnipeggers prioritize local food systems. The market now features over 200 vendors through the summer season, with many offering ready-to-eat options perfect for a riverside picnic.
I’ve watched farmer John Wickstrom’s stand evolve over seven years of reporting on Manitoba’s food scene. What began as a modest vegetable stall has grown into a showcase for his farm-to-table preserves, baked goods, and seasonal produce. “People don’t just want food anymore,” he told me while bagging ruby-red radishes harvested that morning. “They want the story and the face behind it.”
The Wolseley Farmers’ Market returns May 22 with its distinctly community-oriented approach. Unlike larger markets, Wolseley emphasizes ultra-local production—most vendors live within 15 kilometers of the market itself. A 2023 report from Food Secure Canada highlighted this market as a model for sustainable urban food systems that reduce carbon footprints while building neighborhood resilience.
For those craving international flavors, the Latin American Food Festival comes to The Forks May 17-19. Representing cuisines from Mexico to Argentina, the festival transforms the historic meeting place into a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture. Last year, I watched as salsa dancers performed between food stalls while chefs demonstrated traditional cooking techniques.
“We’re not just serving food; we’re preserving heritage,” explains festival coordinator Carlos Vidal. “Many of our vendors are newcomers who’ve brought family recipes across borders. When you support them, you’re supporting dreams.”
Data from Statistics Canada shows Manitoba welcomed over 20,000 new immigrants in 2023, many bringing culinary traditions that gradually reshape Winnipeg’s food landscape. These cultural additions don’t replace existing traditions but rather enrich the city’s collective table.
For sweet-toothed Winnipeggers, the Prairie Chocolate Festival returns May 25-26 at the Assiniboia Downs. The event showcases artisanal chocolate makers from across the prairies, including several Indigenous chocolatiers incorporating traditional ingredients like saskatoon berries and Manitoba maple.
Constance Bear, a Cree chocolate maker from Norway House Cree Nation, creates truffles infused with foraged ingredients and traditional knowledge. “Chocolate is my canvas for sharing our connection to this land,” she explained while delicately brushing edible gold onto a batch of birch syrup caramels. Her creations represent the innovative fusion happening in Manitoba’s food scene.
For families seeking budget-friendly options, Community Food Festivals will pop up in various neighborhoods throughout May. These grassroots events, supported by the Winnipeg Foundation’s Nourishing Communities grant program, make local food accessible across economic divides.
As climate considerations increasingly shape our relationship with food, many of this month’s festivals highlight sustainable practices. The Manitoba Farm to Fork Showcase on May 31 will connect consumers directly with regenerative farmers who are cultivating food in ways that build soil health and ecosystem resilience.
“Climate-conscious eating doesn’t mean sacrifice,” explains Environmental Systems Research Institute climate analyst Priya Sharma. “These festivals demonstrate how delicious sustainability can be when we embrace seasonal, local ingredients.”
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or simply looking for a family-friendly weekend activity, Winnipeg’s May food festival scene offers something for every palate and budget. Beyond the immediate pleasure of delicious meals, these gatherings provide windows into the cultural fabric that makes Manitoba unique.
As the evening light stretched across The Forks last spring, I watched families from a dozen different backgrounds share tables and taste each other’s traditional dishes. Children swapped desserts while parents exchanged recipes. In that moment, Winnipeg’s true flavor revealed itself—not in any single dish, but in the joyful communion that happens when we gather around food that tells our many stories.
