Check out this awesome video about our market filmed and edited by local Laura Cuthbert. Our thanks to Laura for granting us permission to link to it. Some of you may recognize Laura as one of the Olympic torch bearers in our fair city. We’d like to think she’s carrying the torch for our market now. We also think she’s a member of Team Eggplant.
Opening Day Ceremonies
Opening market was tonnes of fun with faces new and old. The market is a community and it was nice to get back to it – I didn’t realize how much I missed it over the winter until I was there, unlocking the portable toilet and pointing out stall spaces. As Chris Bodnar, from Glen Valley Organic Farm put it, “it’s like the first day back at school.”
Set up went off more or less hitch free, except next time, we’ll check the brand new tent before market day to make sure it’s fully assembled – trying to figure that out in the pouring rain was not particularly fun. Rays of sunshine Korki the Clown and Allyson Grant were there to provide smiles and giggles to kids of all ages. Market favourite Ron Ulrich with his silky, catchy cover songs stood tall during the rain and sang those cloudy skies away.
To kick things off, in true New Westminster fashion, we blew off a cannon from our friends at the Seymour Artillery Historical Association. As market manager, it’s not often I get to call the non-emergency police line and tell them to “be aware we’re blowing off cannons up here at the market and please don’t panic.” Kind of fun, really.
Here’s how the opening went down:
RCFM Opening Day from Royal City Farmers Market on Vimeo.
The rain eventually let up around 4 and shoppers started trickling in, having been scared off by the torrential downpours at the start. After my market manager duties were completed, I barely had time to get my shopping in.
My haul included feta and butter from new vendor Farmhouse Natural Cheese, my favourite Raclette from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (oh cheese, you are my kryptonite!), organic frozen blueberries from Forstbauer Natural Food Farm, brownies and buttertarts from Blackberry Hill, the sweetest and most lovely carrots from Nature Village, organic cherry tomatoes that look like little pears from Ceylddon Farms, a loaf of sourdough from A Bread Affair, coveted spot prawns from Mary-Anne at Fresh Off the Boat, and a fresh jar of wildflower honey from Liz at Jane’s Honeybees – good timing too, since I polished off the last of my jar from Winter Market only the day before. I also grabbed a Sweet Chili Lime Hummus from Bean Boy and some crisps – an awesome new product – from Momma Nellie’s Goodies for a dinner party I’m headed to this weekend.
Ah… the market. L’amour. What was in your tote? Tell us in the comments!
June 17th: First Ever Member Appreciation Day
Have you bought your 2010 RCFM Membership? At just $10, your membership is one of the ways you can contribute to RCFM and help us to continue to bring you fresh, local foods and a fun community place from June till October. We thank you if you did! If you’d like to purchase one, you can at any RCFM function or event. Membership allows you to vote at our AGM and to help shape our market to be what you want to see. It’s a crucial way to stay connected.
But did you know it also gives you access to discounts and special promotions? It’s true! Showing your membership card at the RCFM booth at any market date or function will give you a one-time 50% discount on booth merchandise such as our recycled cotton made in Canada market shopping totes.
Even better, being a member also gets you access to special prices at our Member Appreciation Days, held at least twice throughout the season. And in 2010, June 17th is our first Member Appreciation Day. Members can enter to win a special door prize as well as receive discounts at participating vendors. Vendors offering a Member Discount will display a sign to let you know. We’ll post a list of specials soon.
Here’s this week’s line-up:
Music:
- 3-5: Ross Werlick
- 5-7: Gillian Hobbs
Art in the Park: (not a complete list; some artists are drop-in)
Community Group / Non Profit / Kids’ Activities:
Vendors at this market : (not all vendors come to every market, so check this list if you’re looking for someone special – they are arranged categorically. Want a complete listing of all the vendors, even the ones not here this week? Here it is!)
Eat On Site
- Beer Brats – Beer. Brats. Brilliant.
- Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
- Varinicey Pakoras – vegetable pakoras
Produce
- Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
- Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
- Dream Farm Natural Growers – produce grown in Burnaby
- Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
- Glen Valley Organic Farm – certified organic produce from a farm located only 50km from New Westminster
- Maan Farms – assorted locally grown produce
- Misty Mountain Specialties – fresh wild and cultivated mushrooms, dried mushroom products
- Nature Village Farm – Asian produce grown in Richmond
Dairy
- Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
- Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island
Meat & Fish
- Copeland Foods – meat pies and frozen ready-to-eat dinners
- Fresh Off the Boat – Fresh fish
- Maluma Bison – Bison meat
- Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
Bread & Baking
- A Bread Affair – Breads
- Blackberry Hill – Baked Goods
- Eat It Up – Gluten free and no-sugar-added fruit pies, cookies and green tea
- Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, and banana bread
Delectable Treats
- Amber’s Choice – baked madeleines, soups, salad dressing
- Bamboo Yoga Tea – batch crafted wellness teas prepared locally
- Bean Boy Creations – Organic hummous
- Con Amore Foods – handmade fresh pasta and vegan spreads and dips
- Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
- Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
- Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup products
- Simply Delish Soup Co – dry soup and salad mixes
Local Crafters
- Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
- Diva Dawg Clothing Company – dog clothing and accessories, altered art bracelets for humans
- Lesley and Brenda – assorted knitting, beaded work, and other crafts
- Mod Argent – hand forged sterling silvery jewelry
- The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential and fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
Gardening
- Petals & Butterflies – Perennials, shrubs & planters
- Secret Garden – cut flowers
Smashing Success!
The fundraiser last Wednesday was a smashing success. Thank you to everyone who came out and a big thanks to all of our sponsors for their generosity. We sold out of tickets and it was standing room only. We also exceeded our fundraising goal and truly have started the 2010 Summer Season off with a huge, huge bang. Pictures are coming soon. For now, check out the lineup for the opening market!
Sponsors Make it Happen
Without the support of sponsors, non-profit societies such as RCFM wouldn’t be able to provide the high quality market that we strive to have. In addition to our 2010 season sponsors, the 3rd Annual Fundraiser on June 2nd is sponsored by (please click on their logos to visit their websites!):
With silent auction donations from:
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