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August Photo Contest

September 16, 2009 By newwestfarmers

I’m a little late getting this one up. It’s not that I didn’t want to, it’s that there are so many amazing photos being taken we had a tough time making a selection. In the end though, the August Photo Contest Winner is local New Westie Harry Pehkonen (@harrypehkonen) for this shot of two of the A Bread Affair employees.

Bread Affair by Harry Pehkonen
Bread Affair by Harry Pehkonen

There is something about the lighting in this shot that makes it seem so well defined. I know its hard to get a good shot when photographing people’s faces from the front angle – and the composition of the bread, the signs in the back, and the nice contrast of purple and red really work. Harry has been a regular at the market this season, and this isn’t the first great shot he’s taken. But this month, it’s the winner.

Honorable mentions this month (because there are lots) go to:

June’s winner, Graham Ballantyne for these two:

Tribal Markings by Graham Ballantyne
Tribal Markings by Graham Ballantyne
Crepe Making by Graham Ballantyne
Crepe Making by Graham Ballantyne

 Briana Tomkinson for this amazing macro shot of blueberries:

Blueberries by Briana Tomkinson
Blueberries by Briana Tomkinson

 

Honorable mention should also go to Brittbak for this  fun shot of a lively market full of smiling faces:

Market View by Brittbak
Market View by Brittbak

And to Jamila for this great capture of Allyson Grant painting faces (or in this case, an arm):

Face Painting by Jamila
Face Painting by Jamila

And last, but certainly not least this shot of a flower vendor by Miho Shimamura:

Flowers by Miho Shimamura
Flowers by Miho Shimamura

 We want to thank everyone for entering our little contest. For his winning picture, Harry receives a RCFM t shirt and is entered to win a limited edition market tote bag full of $50 worth of market goodies. You can enter too! We have a monthly winner and all you have to do is either upload your picture to Flickr and use the tag rcfm2009 and we’ll find it, or you can email the pictures to us at info@newwestfarmers.ca.

 

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: photo contest, rcfm2009, winner

Minutes of RCFM Board Meeting: August 26, 2009

August 28, 2009 By newwestfarmers

The Royal City Farmers Market Board has decided to begin publishing its monthly meeting minutes online, to better empower and inform RCFM members and supporters. RCFM board meetings are open for members to attend. Upcoming meetings are listed in the RCFM online calendar. Please note: the public version of meeting minutes will not include detailed notes on finances, employee relations or in camera discussions out of respect for individuals’ privacy.

Attending: Andrew, John, Marg, Matthew, Sheila, Jen
Guests: Will and Briana Tomkinson
Regrets: Jane

1. Introduction of Will Tomkinson to the board

Andrew introduced Will and Briana to the group and Will described his background, commitment to New West and interest/activities with the market.

MSC: that we nominate Will Tomkinson to the RCFM Board for the remainder of the year. Will accepted.

2. Housekeeping

MSC: adoption of the agenda; MSC adoption of the July 22 minutes.

3. President’s report (Andrew):
– the August 13 “Get Active” market was deluged with rain; but guest organizations stayed on
– August is usually a doldrum period for most markets. Promoting the market continues. Last year visitor numbers increased in Sept.
– The Nutrition Program is now maxed at 50 families. The “stage 2” group of our New West partner called “Baby & Me” (based in Burnaby, but many New West mums) is now our 2nd partner group. The future of this program may be in jeopardy with the Min. of Health cuts.
– Andrew visited Jaimie McEvoy and Shiloh United Church as another potential partner just as this 2nd group joined the program.
– Art in the Park continues and artists seem very pleased with the opportunity to show; also adds to our sense of community found at the market.
– Andrew attended the biweekly Ladner market last Sunday. This market has great support from Ladner businesses
– Andrew will be attending a mtg called by Surrey market on Sept. 1 to look at current issues such as visitor attendance, sites. Other markets have heard good things about the New West vibe!

4. Treasurer’s report (Marg)

5. Operations Manager report (Jen)
– the 150 Market was a success, band was great, vendors happy. Jen sent the city 150 committee a thank-you letter. We ran ring toss at the City’s 150 celebration event.
– Sept 10 will be a Youth Sports market – several city groups and leagues will have registration/information tables. We will provide space for their own tables & tents in the grassy area.
– Vendors have been at capacity at every market even with a couple of cancellations. Vendors are still calling and Jen is trying to accommodate. Crafters are about 12-15% of the tables.
– The photo contest has gone well the last 2 months. At the end of the year there will be a random draw with a prize winner.
– Need more hot food vendors

6. Old Business
– Discussion on storage and vehicle to tow the RCFM trailer. Will & Briana offered storage space at the bottom of their yard. We may be to use a side-mounted canopy on the trailer for our market table.

– Code of conduct (from last meeting). Marg reported hard to find such things from other organizations.

– Marg distributed a draft Board Job Description. Discussion and suggestions. To review again at next meeting.

7. New Business

a) Winter public market.
The Newsleader last week had a story on a possible winter RCFM market. We have not looked at or decided to yet, but there is a question on winter market on our customer survey. Key item to consider is location. City has nothing, so would need to look at private sites. Dates and more marketing are also important.

MSC the Board research the idea of a winter market including dates, times, location, vendor issues and survey results, with a report back to the next September board meeting. Will, Andrew and John volunteered to work on this.

b) Membership communication
Briana had offered constructive feedback to Andrew earlier. We could do a monthly or quarterly summary of progress/highlights to members, offer more volunteer opportunities, offer member recognition such as Christmas cards. Jen offered to do a monthly newsletter for members.

c) Promotion
We have 1,500 cards left. Last year we mailed them to targeted neighbourhoods. As meeting time was running out, Andrew will send out a motion by email.

d) Vendor representative
John resigned board vendor rep position.

MSC: We create a vendor liaison board position; Will volunteered for this role for the rest of the season.

e) Visitor survey and web site report

Briana provided board with written reports on survey results to date (both at the market & online). The survey will continue into Sept & October. Feedback overall very positive.

Briana also provided a report on web site visits and use of Twitter and Facebook to promote market dates etc. Board noted all much improved with Briana’s work. Thank you!

Next meeting: September 16, 7:00 pm – RCFM members welcome to attend. For location information, please contact the board.

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

Welcome to our new vendors!

August 24, 2009 By newwestfarmers

The mix of vendors and products at the Royal City Farmers Market continues to evolve. We’re proud to welcome three new vendors to our Market:

Gelderman Farms

Gelderman Farms Ltd. is a family-owned pig farm located in the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford B.C. The Gelderman family takes pride in raising quality pork that is tasty and good for your family. Gelderman Farms is primarily focused on providing various cuts of pork from ham and pork chops to bacon but they also offer blueberries in season and fantastic compost for your garden.

Greendale Herb and Vine

Doug and Katy Lowe bring herbs in many formats – fresh, dried, in vinegars, in hand creams – as well as cheddar, honey comb, and garlic. Find them on Facebook!

Fire Ice Creations

One of a kind hand made glass jewelry and home decor items, using recycled glass. Custom pieces are available! Find them on the web at www.fireicecreations.com.

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News, Vendors Tagged With: Vendors

Tell us what you think & enter to win!

August 15, 2009 By newwestfarmers

Each Thursday during the Royal City Farmers Market season, we see a fantastic mix of new faces and ‘regulars’ shopping the market. To help us plan next season’s market, we’re hoping that you will take 10 minutes to fill out an anonymous customer satisfaction survey.

Tell us what you like, and what you don’t and you can enter to win a Market tote filled with $50 worth of locally made goodies!

Your answers will help us make next year’s Market even better. Some of the questions we’re wrestling with include:

  • Should the Market hours be extended to 8pm?
  • Is there interest in adding a new Winter Market?
  • How could we improve the vendor/product mix for our customers?

Your answers in the survey will help us with these questions and more.

Please click here to take the survey – and thank you for your support of the Royal City Farmers Market!

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News

Classes, demos & family fun at special ‘Get Active’ Market Aug. 13

August 11, 2009 By newwestfarmers

GET ACTIVE MARKET August 13th in Tipperary Park in New Westminster from 3-7. This week’s market is CRAZY STUFFED with things to do to celebrate being active in our fair city: Karate and dance demos and join in classes, yoga, bike tuneups by donation, Family Place Kid Zone, PLUS our usual amazing line up of over 30 vendors selling fresh food, homemade goodies, and handmade crafts. Take time to visit “Art in the Park” while you’re there – our free artist showcase in the park!

All-market-long Activities:

  • Life drawing with the Heritage Life Drawing Society. Clothed model provided: bring your easel or sketchbook, and pencils/paints!
  • Korki the Clown returns for another amazing balloon twisting session
  • Art in the Park outdoor art gallery
  • New West Cycle offering mini tuneups for your bicycle by donation
  • New Westminster Parks and Rec Department blood pressure and BMI testing
  • Family Place Active Kid Zone with crafts, games and toys
  • Entertainment featuring Jarrad Lajeunesse and his three piece funk band

Join-in Classes and Demonstrations featuring Tashu Shotowa Karate, Ammara Dance Studio, and Bamboo Yoga. Demos will feature the high level you could acheive with practise – join-in classes are suitable for all levels.

  • 3:00-3:30 Cuban Salsa Demo and Join-In Class
  • 3:30-4:00 Bellydancing Demo and Join-In Class
  • 4:00-4:30 Karate Demo and Join-In Class
  • 5:00-5:30 Karate Demo and Join-In Class
  • 5:30-6:00 Cuban Salsa Demo and Join-In Class
  • 6:00-6:30 Bellydancing Demo and Join-In Class
  • 6:30-7:15 Yoga Join-In Calming Class

The market is in Tipperary Park from 3-7pm and aside from all these great activities, will feature the usual amazing line up of local vendors with fresh food choices and handicrafts.

Hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Blog, Events, NWFM News

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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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