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RCFM Offers Grants to Elementary Schools

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kidschoolgarden

The Royal City Farmers Market is offering each elementary school in New Westminster a $500 grant to use in 2016 in a food-positive way. As part of its strategic plan RCFM is committed to helping elementary-aged school children in New Westminster gain a greater understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and where food comes from. The grant, called Food+, was created to raise awareness for all the ways food can be obtained – such as starting a garden, purchasing it at the farm, participating in a CSA, shopping at the farmers market or a commercial grocery store – and creating conversations about choice and what might impact them.

“When we say “Food-positive” we mean a life that includes learning about food in a positive way, such as healthy and mindful eating, understanding where food comes from,” says Jen Arbo, RCFM Board Member.

“We would like to help create community around food and acknowledge the importance of food in our lives for more than just nutritional reasons. We believe food plays a role in culture, friendship, and overall health.”

Applications for the Food+ program will be sent out to local schools and Parent Advisory Committees in the next few weeks. The grant can be used to start a food-positive program at each school that is unique to the school’s needs, whether it is a garden; a field trip, a guest speaker, a group dinner made with local ingredients, or participation in a Growing Chef program where chefs engage the students in games, lessons, and activities focusing on plant growth, local and urban agriculture, sustainability, and nutrition.

For more information on how your school can get involved please contact RCFM’s Board of Directors at info(at)rcfm(dot)ca.

January 16th Market Day

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Aaron & Noella from Ossome Acres

This Saturday is Members Appreciation Day! Join us on Belmont Street in Uptown New Westminster to shop directly from local farmers and small businesses.

Here’s a taste of what Membership deals we’ll have for members:

  • Real Meals – 10% off of purchases over $20
  • Ildiko Jewelry – $5 off any two pair of earrings
  • Jam Shack Preservery – $1 off large jars & .50 off small jars

You’ll have to come by the market to see the rest of the deals! Don’t have a membership? No problem. For $10 you can sign up at our Info Tent.

The Roland Kaulfuss Music Stage will be featuring Ron Ulrich. Ron is a popular musician at our summer market and plays covers of pop, rock and folk classics.

Make sure to stop by and say hello to our community guests The Music Box and Heritage Wellness Centre. The Music Box will have an activity for the kids and Heritage Wellness Centre will be there to chat about their Mind Fit program and your overall wellness.

Driving to the market? FREE PARKING is available at Westminster Centre, directly across the street from Belmont Street. If you are taking transit the #106 bus stops at 5th avenue and 6th street. Coming from the Quay? Take River Market’s brand new FREE DUC shuttle from the Quay straight to our location.

Join us on Belmont Street for lunch! We have a tented seating area directly across from the food trucks.  This week’s eat on site vendors are:

  • Nellie’s Vietnamese Cuisine – Vietnamese comfort food on the go
  • Country Village Market –  pakoras made fresh at the market
  • Gypsy Trunk – vegan and gluten free burritos and quesadillas, vegan sausages too

A list of our vendors for January 16th can be found below. Please check out Facebook Page or Twitter for any last minute cancellations or updates.

Produce

  • Bose & Sons Family Farm – Carrots, Kale (red and green), Zucchini.
  • Greendale Herb & Vine – Greens, frozen tomatoes (beefsteak, heirloom) Honey, Nuts (hazelnuts), Muesli, Infused Vinegars, Goat’s and Cow’s Cheese, Popcorn Kernels, Herbal Teas, Dried Lavender.
  • Ossome Acres – Winter squash, Kale, kalettes, Brussel sprouts, Micro greens, Spinach, Herbs, Hand milled soap, Walnuts
  • Snowy Mountain Acres – Apples, pears, dried fruits
  • Country Village Market – Frozen berries, greens, pakoras
  • Nutrigreens – microgreens packed full of nutrients

Meat and Fish

  • Rockweld Farm — BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs, dog and cat food
  • Local Beef & Eggs
  • Wild West Coast Seafoods –  flash frozen fillets of Rock Sole, Petrale Sole, Rockfish, Ling Cod, Pacific Cod, Sablefish, Chinook/Spring Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sidestripe Shrimp, Halibut, Albacore Tuna Loin.
  • Wheelhouse Seafoods –  Seafood pasta, crab cakes and frozen fish

Eat and Drink On Site 

  • Nellie’s Vietnamese Cuisine – Vietnamese comfort food on the go
  • Country Village Market –  pakoras made fresh at the market
  • Gypsy Trunk – vegan and gluten free burritos and quesadillas, vegan sausages too
  • Mollies Minis – freshly made mini donuts
  • Gary’s Kettlecorn – kettlecorn

Bread and Baking

  • A Bread Affair — artisan breads
  • Blackberry Hill — squares, cinnamon buns, strudel, and old-fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
  • Delish Gluten Free — gluten-free bread, scones, muffins, brownies and cookies
  • Sweet Thea Cake Company — tarts, pies, cookies and cakes
  • Simply Scones – hand made scones that will transport you back to England

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

  • Jam Shack Preservery – Jams jellies marmalades, chutney
  • BobAli – tasty dips and hummus spreads
  • Bubble Bombs Specialty Foods – juice bombs to accompany drinks
  • Old Country Perogi – frozen perogies with gluten free & vegan options
  • The Raw Guy – kale chips, macaroons, crackers and raw treats
  • Simply Delish Soup & Salad – dry soup and salad mixes to make at home
  • Lilise Applesauce – organic home made applesauce from local fruit
  • Muy Rico – salsas, tortilla chips, mole sauces and mayonnaise
  • James Lewis Foods – tasty granola bars packed with goodness
  • Real Meals – prepared frozen foods for healthy meals at home
  • The Salt Dispensary – salted caramels, smoked salts and pepper mixes
  • Chanthorn Orchids & Thai Sauces – yummy thai sauces

Bath & Body Care

  • Olive & Bloom – soaps and body lotions

Jewelry 

  • Ildiko Jewelry – handforged sterling silver jewelry
  • Lighten Up Jewels – hand crafted jewelry made by Holly

Liquor

  • Dragon Mist Distillery – locally made vodka and gin

Slow Cooker Chicken & Roasted Onion Gravy

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Celebrate Earth Day this month by making your kitchen its most sustainable! Animal products are one of the areas you can easily make a big impact. I’ll admit it, chicken breast is pretty tasty, but by buying a whole chicken not only are you able to take advantage of every part of the bird, you can also be sure you’re making the most economical choice for your grocery budget.

This recipe has quickly become a new favourite of mine. With a little planning (and not a lot of prep) a roast chicken dinner can be achieved even on a weeknight!

  • 1 large cooking onion (roughly sliced)
  • 1 whole chicken (giblets removed)
  • 6 leaves fresh sage
  • 2 sprigs rosemary (stems removed)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (stems removed)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

  1. Cover the bottom of your crock pot with the chopped onion.

  2. Rub chicken with garlic, salt and pepper and place on top of onions. Place herbs on top of the chicken and cook on high for 4-6 hours until juices run clear.

  3.  Place chicken in a roasting pan and let the skin brown under you broiler for 5-10 minutes. Check on the bird frequently, the skin goes from golden to black very quickly.

  4. While the the chicken is browning pour the onion and juices from the crockpot into a sauce pan and set on medium.

  5. Use an immersion blender to blend onions until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Voila thick (gluten-free) gravy in a snap!

Serve with lots of roasted veggies or a simple green salad. Stretch this bird a little further and make a flavourful stock from the leftover bones, get my favourite recipe here.

Red Velvet Smoothie

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Show your body some love this Valentine’s day by adding a few beets to your market bag. As a storage crop this is one of the few veggies we are lucky enough to find a market stalls all year long. Here’s the shortlist of reasons why nothing beats the humble beet, especially in your morning smoothie;

They add a bright pop of colour to any recipe and where there’s colour you’re sure to find lots of antioxidants. Betalains the phytonutrient unique to beets has incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Show your liver some love with beets! A side from bitter greens, beets are one of the best vegetables for liver detox – helping to flush out toxins and process hormones more efficiently.

Adding a serving of veggies to your morning meal is a great way to boost your fibre intake for the day and keep your cholesterol levels in check.

They are incredibly versatile! Beets are delicious grated raw into salads, oven-roasted, pureed into soups. They can even help to add a touch of sweetness along with their amazing colour to baking.

  • 1/2 medium beet* ((washed and cleaned))
  • 2 medjool dates
  • raw cacao powder
  • 3/4 cup frozen strawberries
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender starting with the beets, strawberries and dates

  2. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

  3. Slurp up while it’s still cold!

*For this recipe I like to keep my beets washed, peeled, chopped and ready to go in the freezer

Hearty Carrot Lentil Salad

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This salad is the perfect compliment to any New Year’s resolution whether it’s to eat more veggies, be more organized with your meal prep or trim your waistline. Unlike other salads filled with fragile greens, a base of carrots means it can be dressed ahead. Plus, the addition of lentils and walnuts give this salad a healthful hit of fibre, protein and omega-3 fats, so it’s sure to keep you satisfied. Go ahead, make a big batch and enjoy it for lunch or as a side for dinner all week long.

Quick Tip: Skip the canned lentils to save money and avoid BPAs from can linings. Make lentils in a big batch and freeze to easily add them to all your recipes. Freeze the cooked and cooled lentils on a cookie sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, so they don’t freeze in an unmanageable clump.

Ingredients

  • 2 large carrots ((grated))
  • 1 cup lentils ((cooked or sprouted))
  • 1/2 cup walnuts ((toasted))
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 2 green onions ((chopped))
  • 1/4 cup cilantro ((chopped))
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • juice of a lemon
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 clove garlic

  1. Crush garlic with the heel of your knife. Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a jar or bottle and shake vigorously. Set aside to let the flavour of the garlic infuse.

  2. In a large bowl combine the carrots, lentils, walnuts, raisins, onion, cilantro and cumin and toss until well combined. Drizzle your desired amount of dressing ensuring to strain out the garlic. 

  3. Serve

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Land Acknowledgement

Our market is grateful to operate on the unceded land of the Qayqayt, Kwikwetlem, and other Halkomelem speaking Peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We acknowledge the incredible gift this land is to our market and BC Agriculture. We commit to the ongoing work of decolonization and allyship.