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2009 Treasurer’s Report

February 4, 2010 By newwestfarmers

The Royal City Farmers Market AGM was held January 28. For those who were unable to attend, we are posting the text of the speeches each board member gave to summarize our progress in the 2009 market year.

First of all, on behalf of all the current Board members, I’d like to thank Marjorie Staal who has been the RCFM Treasurer since the day the group started until October 2009. Marjorie offered wise and level headed counsel as well as the usual treasurer duties to the RCFM group over the last 2 ½ years. Thank you Marjorie!

The Board found a very capable, energetic and committed market manager, Jennifer Arbo, this spring. The tally sheets and detailed reports from her make the work of your treasurer much easier. I’d also like to thank our bookkeeper, John Mori, and Murray Ovens who reviewed our records and prepared the financial statements for 2009.

The financial statements presented here reflect a very successful second season for the Royal City Farmer’s Market. Our budget predictions were quite tight going into the summer 2009 market season. Both the past treasurer and I were very pleased to see so many happy individuals, families, pets, kids, community groups and of course, market vendors every Thursday afternoon. It became a real New West community event to attend this year!

We are pleased to be in a stable situation at year end and have now started to build a small contingency fund for future market seasons if things such as bad weather, community support, or location issues appear on the horizon.

This year the Board was very pleased to be able participate in the BC Association of Farmers Markets’ Nutrition Coupon Program. The funding came through Fraser Health Authority and we partnered with Fraser Health Pregnancy Outreach Program, Baby & Me Program. Young mums in the New West and Burnaby areas received coupons for purchases of fresh, nutritious and locally grown food at the summer farmers’ market. 86% of the coupons were redeemed – a very high rate, and the total coupon value spent at the market was $7,900.

This year we started a series of five winter markets from December through to April. These markets are a bit more difficult to sponsor and so, we need your support and help in spreading the word to have more people attend each winter market.

Thank you all for your support for the Royal City Farmers’ Market. We look forward to seeing you at the next winter market Feb. 20 and then into the summer and fall.

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News Tagged With: board notes, meeting minutes

2009 Operations Manager Report

February 3, 2010 By newwestfarmers

The Royal City Farmers Market AGM was held January 28. For those who were unable to attend, we are posting the text of the speeches each board member gave to summarize our progress in the 2009 market year.

At the end of May 2009 I received an unexpected and timely phone call from Andrew. I was a stay at home mom trying to figure out how to stay at home when my mat leave ended, and in less than a week I was hired on as the market manager. I also wanted to say a special thank you to Will Tomkinson for mentioning my name to Andrew that fateful day back in May.

It was a race to get organized for the first week, and I don’t really think the pace slowed down until October, and even then it was full speed ahead to organize the winter market. By the end of the summer season, I think we were operating as a well oiled machine!

There were a total of 64 vendors approved to sell at RCFM throughout the season. My largest challenge during the summer and now during the winter is where to put all of the amazing vendors who wanted to come. The most vendors at any one market in the summer was 38, with the average at about 33, and the lowest at 29. We were fortunate to only have one rainy day – and rain it did – but there were two weeks in the height of summer where we baked in the heat and if you ask me, I’m not sure what was harder to work through!

We are on track for a spectacular 2010 season, I’m working on forms and applications for returning and new vendors alike and things will be full speed ahead once the new board meets. I want to say a few quick thank yous:

First, to the volunteers who came out week after week and did everything from taking surveys, putting up signs, monitoring kids activities, running the RCFM booth… you are an integral part of how this organization functions and week after week, you made me feel as though everything was in good hands.

Second, I am honored to have worked with such an energetic and committed board. You were all willing to pitch in your own volunteer time, and as a collective, you were a pretty decent boss. Thank you for your time and your faith in me.

Thank you also to the community groups, city departments, and other organizations that supported us by donating time and services to help the market run smoothly.

Finally, I wanted to point say a special thank you to Briana Tomkinson, who some of you may already know but may not know of her contribution. Briana has been an incredible supporter and volunteer behind the scenes – among other things, she has redesigned our website, has helped me write press releases, and handles all of the social media updates. Without her I simply could not have gotten as much done.

Not many people can say they love their job; I am truly grateful that I can say I do.

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News Tagged With: AGM, board notes, meeting minutes, RCFM Board

President’s Report: The 2009 Market Year in Review

February 2, 2010 By newwestfarmers

The Royal City Farmers Market AGM was held January 28. For those who were unable to attend, we are posting the text of the speeches each board member gave to summarize our progress in the 2009 market year.

We begin with the President’s Report from Andrew Murray, followed by reports from Market Manager Jen Arbo, Treasurer Sheila Rowswell and Vendor Liaison Will Tomkinson. Thanks again to everyone who came out in support of the Royal City Farmers Market!

Our 2009 summer market season proved to be as successful if not more so as our first season. Blessed with good weather for all but one market we saw significant increases in attendance and the number of vendors at the market. We averaged approximately 35 vendors/mkt. a 30% increase over our first year.

We were fortunate to become part of the Nutrition Coupon Program which allowed 50 low income families to come to the market and redeem coupons for fresh fruit and vegetables. The redemption rate was 88% and we’re hoping to be able to offer the program in 2010.

We also introduced Art in the Park this year which allowed local artists to come, set up and receive some valuable exposure in the community. Some were able to sell their work for the first time due to being at the Market.

We addressed our long term storage issue by purchasing a trailer mid way through the summer. Being able to store all our equipment in one place has saved us a lot of time as well as alleviating some aching lower backs.

Our website has been completely redone and is now a much more effective marketing tool. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. It’s clear that social media is a very effective way of increasing our core support.

The Board made the decision to go ahead with a series of Winter Markets on a trial basis. We based our decision on the over 250 surveys we did during the summer market season. From the surveys it was clear there was demand for us to have a year round presence in the community. Our first two markets to date at Holy Trinity Cathedral have been well received and we’ll be evaluating the decision in the spring.

From a financial perspective the RCFM is on solid footing, our revenues rose significantly this season and we were prudent in managing our expenses. The hiring of Jen Arbo as our Operations Manager has proven to be probably the best decision we made all year. Jen has done a wonderful job for the Market and has demonstrated amazing organizational skills – plus she makes a pretty mean cup of chai tea!

The 2009 Board of Directors have been a dedicated and passionate group who have worked extremely well together this past year. It’s been a pleasure to be involved with them and I thank them for all their hard work.

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News Tagged With: AGM, board notes, meeting minutes, RCFM Board

Royal City Farmer’s Market Society AGM Jan. 28

January 16, 2010 By newwestfarmers

Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual general meeting of the Royal City Farmer’s Market Society:

Thursday January 28, 2010
Sign in and new memberships: 6:30 pm
Meeting: 7:00 pm

New West Public Library Auditorium
716 Sixth Ave.
New Westminster

Guest speaker will be Chris Bodnar from Glen Valley Farms located near Fort Langley. Glen Valley was a popular vendor at our summer market. The 50 acre certified organic farm was purchased through a co-operative that formed to save the farm in 1997. Individuals apply to farm the land and produce the vegetables, herbs and fruit and eggs you’ve seen at the market.

Board reports from the summer and winter markets, election of a 2010 Board, and comments/questions will fill out the evening. Refreshments and goodies will be served.

We look forward to your continued support and to seeing you on January 28!

Filed Under: Blog, Events, NWFM News Tagged With: annual general meeting

January Market – I Resolve to Eat Better!

January 3, 2010 By newwestfarmers

I resolve to eat better this year – how about you? Too many over-processed and over-packaged goodies went across my plate this holiday season. I need to concentrate on eating locally, eating fresh, and eating things made with care and love. What better place to find that than at the RCFM Winter Market? Join us January 9th  – featuring a cookbook swap! Details.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: eating locally, Winter Market

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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.

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