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Pie for Pride Returns!

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Pie for Pride is back! 

After a two year hiatus we’re thrilled to bring back our annual Pie for Pride bake off! 
Join us on Aug 11th at 5:30 to watch our esteemed panel of judges taste the pies submitted by your community members. The winner will receive market money, bragging rights and ETERNAL GLORY. 
The remaining pie will be sold by donation with all proceeds going to New West Pride!

This year’s illustrious judges are 

  • Anita Ansari – school board trustee, past judge (she’s serious about pie!), and pie perfectionist. 
  • Alejandro Diaz – owner of a sophisticated palate and El Santo and Nox Restaurants. 
  • Shannon Dolton – Pride President and official taste tester to her home baking wife. 
  • Patrick Johnstone – City Councillor. When Patrick was asked to judge this contest he said, “This is, with not a hint of hyperbole, the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life.”
  • Chelsea Watt – NWFM Board President, avid home baker, and dedicated fan of all things pie.

 

We hope to see you there!!! 

Vendor Spotlight: First Course Foods

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Keep an eye out for our Vendor Spotlight feature where we bring you short interviews with our amazing vendors!

This Week: Summer Breeze Farm

Photo of fruit from Summer Breeze Farm!

Keep tabs on them on their website here! Or follow them on Instagram!

How did your business start?

We started another orchard in 2017. There was a small orchard on the property already but not large enough to share commercially. Each year we expand the orchard and get excited when we find a new variety of fruit to try.
 
What is your favourite part about selling at farmers markets?
Our favourite part about selling at the market is sharing what we have with those who don’t and watching customers try our fruit for their first time. Meeting a diversity of people is awesome and refreshing.
 
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone considering starting their own small business?
Anyone starting their own business must have a passion for whatever it is. Be patient and always hopeful and the rewards are there. Always ask questions from those already in the field and if possible work for them to get a better feel of how the business is run.

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Thanks, Lucy and family! We appreciate you joining us this season! Find Summer Breeze Farm at NWFM this week (July 28th) from 3-7pm in Tipperary Park.

Vendor Spotlight: First Course Foods

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Keep an eye out for our Vendor Spotlight feature where we bring you short interviews with our amazing vendors!

This Week: First Course Foods

Photo of First Course Foods’s owner, Camille, with her son!

Keep tabs on them on their website here! Or follow them on Instagram!

What is your favourite product that you sell and why?

I love the Sockeye Salmon sticks. They are super tasty, and we’ve had a few stories about parents who are allergic to fish/seafood and find these Sockeye sticks perfect as they don’t need a lot of handling or preparation: just reheat and serve. Most importantly we source the salmon from a local supplier who is passionate about sustainability (MSC, ASC & Ocean wise certified) and takes such good care of the fish so that it is super fresh.
 
What is your favourite part about selling at farmers markets?
Getting to talk to customers and hearing your stories about feeding as parents; and also repeat customers giving me feedback on the products is super helpful as an owner. It makes farmers markets really come to life!
 
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone considering starting their own small business?
Find someone a few steps ahead that’s done a similar business or business model to you, and ask them a bunch of questions about how they started. Most people want to share their learnings or advice and are super helpful. It can save you some time or mistakes along the way. 
 

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Thanks, Camille! We appreciate you joining us this season! Find Camille and First Course Foods at NWFM this week (July 12th) from 3-7pm in Tipperary Park.

Sprout Club Returns!

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Welcome to Sprout Club!

 

From June 30th to September 1st, children aged 5-12 are invited to participate in our free summer program! Every Thursday from 3-7, youth are welcome to participate in our free, educational activities that focus on food, agriculture, and the environment around us. Youth will paint, colour, glue, collect items, discover, and do so much more!

 

On June 30th, youth are invited to attend our first Sprout Club event to collect their summer passport. Throughout the summer, participants can collect stamps for each activity they participate in. At the end of the summer, passports will be collected and names will be entered into a draw to win one of three Sprout Club prizes! The more weeks that youth participate, the more chances they have of winning!

 

This year, we will start off Sprout Club by honouring Indigenous Culture. Join us on June 30th at Tipperary Park from 3-7 to learn about Cedar trees. Come search for Cedar trees, paint with Cedar boughs and explore Indigenous Art as we kick off the summer!

Artwork by: Michelle Stoney

 

 

 

Vendor Spotlight: Empanada Gal

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Keep an eye out for our Vendor Spotlight feature where we bring you short interviews with our amazing vendors!

This Week: Empanada Gal

Photo of Empanada Gal’s owner, Carmen, baking empanadas in her kitchen!

Keep tabs on them on their website here! Or follow them on Instagram!

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What is your favourite part about selling at farmers markets?
I love being at the Farmers Markets because I get to share my passion within the community!

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone considering starting their own small business?
One piece of advice to start your own business is to follow your passion. Challenges can come and go, but if you stick to what you believe in, you can accomplish your goals!

What is your favourite product that you sell and why?
My favourite product is the empanadas! They can be customized in so many ways, including savoury and sweet!

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Thanks, Carmen! We appreciate you joining us this season!

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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.