June 6th – Peak Season Party!

We’re growing for the summer time! ☀️ Thursday, June 6th our market is growing by a full 50% – meaning more of the vendors you love and more small businesses to support!

To celebrate, we’re going to be hosting a very special opening party with balloon animals, face painting, a scavenger hunt for the kiddos, and a golden-ticket event for the adults. Shop from select vendors to find a golden ticket! If you happen to uncover one in your shopping haul, stop by the info booth to collect a homemade baked good from the community 🍰 🍩

We can’t wait to see all of your happy faces at the market. Make sure to stop by this Thursday, June 6th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm to come see all 65+ vendors we have in store for you. 😆

Cost – FREE

 

June 20th – Yoga in the Park

In collaboration with Yoga at the Quay, we’re bringing back Yoga in the Park! This free event is going to be hosted at our usual spot at Tipperary Park on June 20th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and is all ages. Just make sure to bring a mat, and come in comfy clothes!

COST: FREE

The New West Farmers Market is hiring for two summer contract positions to help develop and implement programming and a fantastic market for our community! See the details for each position below. 

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Position 1: Program Assistant

Have an interest in community building, event planning, and working outdoors? Do you have a strong work ethic, a sense of fun and a keen eye for detail? Look no further! We are hiring a Contract Program Assistant to help us deliver a fantastic market for our community this summer season! 

Program Assistant Job Application – PDF

POSITION TYPE: Temporary part-time (30 hours per week for 9 weeks) from June 3rd, 2024 until August 5th, 2024. Minimum Wage – $17.40/hour.

PURPOSE
Reporting to the Market Manager, the Junior Assistant is responsible for working with the Market Manager, Assistant Manager, and Sprout Club Program Coordinator to create an amazing market experience for our vendors and our community, provide administrative support for the New Westminster Farmers’ Market (NWFM) and the Market Manager, as well as attend the market each week (to the best of their ability) to ensure its smooth operation. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Administration 

• Manage the membership program and customer count data
• Assist with managing market money and cash logs
• Assist with the planning and execution of community events, workshops and programming, such as our Community Cookbook
• Support the development and curation of social media content
• Support the creation of the weekly newsletter

Market Days

• Attend weekly markets (approximately 12:30 to 8:30 pm)
• Assist with the timely and safe set-up and take-down of all market materials, (including but not limited to tents and tent weights)
• Assist with volunteer coordination, as needed
• Assist with managing the Info booth, greeting customers, processing and recording transactions
• Assist with Sprout Club, as needed
• Support community groups and entertainers as needed
• Assist with execution of coupon program, including the collection, counting and recording of coupons
• Respond to public, vendor, and volunteer inquiries and concerns in a positive manner, directing them to the Market Manager or Assistant Manager as needed

OTHER COMMENTS

• Other duties may be assigned as needed to help ensure the efficient operation of the New West Farmers Market.
• There may be a need to attend community festivals and events which may require work and travel outside of the regular position hours.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
• Access to computer and reliable internet
• Available for entire duration of the contract
• Available to come to our office in New Westminster, as needed and work from home for some scheduled work hours as deemed ideal by all parties
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs
• Time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
• Ability to utilize, adapt and embrace technologies, including Google Suite, Canva, web and social media platforms, and other database/software required by the role
• Experience and/or an interest in the local food movement, food security, and community, an asset
• Familiarity with New Westminster, an asset

How to Apply: 

Please forward a cover letter and resume, describing how your background and experiences meet the above criteria to manager@newwestfarmers.ca by May 17th.

Please Note: This is a Canada Summer Jobs Grant position. 

Candidates must be between 15-30 years of age; a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or a refugee with protection conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and is legally entitled to work in British Columbia.

We have expressed intent to hire someone who is from an underrepresented group or has additional barriers to the labour market such as a recent immigrant or refugee youth, youth with no previous employment history, Indigenous youth, Youth with disabilities, visible minorities and LGBTQ2 youth.

The successful candidate may be required to submit a criminal record check.

We thank all applicants, however, only those shortlisted for interviews will be contacted. 

 

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Position 2: Sprout Club Coordinator

Have an interest in working with kids, sustainability and the environment? Look no further! We are hiring a Contract Sprout Club Coordinator to develop, plan and implement 9 weekly activities geared to kids aged 5 – 12 at our weekly Thursday Market!

Sprout Club Job Application – PDF

POSITION TYPE: Temporary part-time (30 hours per week for 9 weeks) from July 1st, 2024 until Aug 31, 2024. Minimum Wage – $17.40/hour.

PURPOSE
Reporting to the Market Manager, the primary purpose of the Sprout Club Coordinator is to plan, execute, and collect data regarding our children’s summer program, the Sprout Club (SC), provide administrative support for the New Westminster Farmers’ Market (NWFM) and the Market Manager, as well as attend the market each week (to the best of their ability) to ensure its smooth operation. Our Sprout Club program provides weekly crafts and activities geared to kids ages 5-12, with focus on nature, environment, and sustainability.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Sprout Club 

• Develop, plan, and implement 9 weekly activities from July 4 – August 29, 2024 for our Sprout Club program
• Potentially collaborate with outside guest artists or instructors for activities
• Create and manage a budget for SC 
• Manage and assist with fulfilling supply needs for SC
• Assist with the creation of promotional material for SC (social media and print)
• Organize activities similar to the SC if NWFM is invited to participate in other events or festivals
• Collect and manage data from SC (number of participants, feedback surveys, etc)
• Manage SC table/tent at market, provide supplies for activity, demonstrate and assist participants with the activity, and answer questions.
• Train volunteers assisting the SC booth in how to carry out the activity of the day.
• Write a report detailing your feedback about how each activity went and general observations from the summer to help inform the following season.

General Administration

• Assist with implementing satisfaction surveys and soliciting feedback from the community/vendors
• Assist with data collection and organization
• Assist with execution of coupon program
• Assist with managing market money and cash logs
• Provide weekly timesheet with hours worked

Market Days 

• Attend weekly markets (approximately 12:15 to 8:15 pm)
• Assist with the timely and safe set-up and take-down of all market materials (including tents, tent weights, etc.)
• Support vendors with timely and safe set-up and take-down of their stalls
• Support community groups and entertainers as needed
• Respond to public, vendor, and volunteer inquiries and concerns in a positive manner, directing them to the Market Manager or Assistant Manager as needed
• Provide information to shoppers and vendors on food advocacy, market operations, and membership, directing to the Market Manager or Assistant Manager as needed
• Process membership fees, market-money and swag purchases
• Manage data tracking for vendor sales, customer numbers etc.
• Assist with Nutrition Coupon Program as needed, including but not limited to assisting with picking up and counting coupons from vendors

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must provide Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
• Access to computer and reliable internet
• Available for entire duration of the contract
• Available to come to our office in New Westminster, as needed and work from home for some scheduled work hours as deemed ideal by all parties
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs
• Time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
• Ability to utilize, adapt and embrace technologies, including Google Suite, Canva, web and social media platforms, and other database/software required by the role
• Experience and/or an interest in the local food movement, food security, and community, an asset
• Familiarity with New Westminster, an asset

OTHER COMMENTS

• Other duties may be assigned as needed to help ensure the efficient operation of the New West Farmers Market.
• There may be a need to attend community festivals and events which may require work and travel outside of the regular position hours.

How to Apply: 

Please forward a cover letter and resume, describing how your background and experiences meet the above criteria to manager@newwestfarmers.ca by June 1st.

Please Note: This is a Canada Summer Jobs Grant position. 

Candidates must be between 15-30 years of age; a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or a refugee with protection conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and is legally entitled to work in British Columbia.

We have expressed intent to hire someone who is from an underrepresented group or has additional barriers to the labour market such as a recent immigrant or refugee youth, youth with no previous employment history, Indigenous youth, Youth with disabilities, visible minorities and LGBTQ2 youth.

The successful candidate may be required to submit a criminal record check.

We thank all applicants, however, only those shortlisted for interviews will be contacted. 

May 9th – How To Make Fresh Spring Rolls Workshop 

Join us for a masterclass at the New West Farmers Market in Tipperary Park! Our talented vendor, Hai Yen, of “Authentic Vietnamese Spring Rolls”, will guide you through the art of crafting perfect spring rolls and peanut sauce, blending and wrapping fresh ingredients using traditional cooking techniques. Mark your calendars for May 9th to take home a delicious snack and level-up your culinary repertoire! All Ages welcome. 

Cost $15.00

**Register for this event by emailing: info@newwestfarmers.ca

 

May 23 – Jessica Yue Dance Performance

3:45pm, 4:45pm, 5:45pm

Stop by to watch one of Jessica Yue’s 3 enthralling and beautiful, authentic Chinese fan and ribbon dance performances at the market at Tipperary Park on May 23rd!

COST: FREE

**No registration required.

 

May 30 – Tai-chi in the Park

Date Changed

Elevate your market experience at New West Farmers Market with the rejuvenating practice of Tai Chi! Join us for a free Tai Chi session! Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a curious beginner, all levels are welcome to relax, unwind, and find balance amongst your community. All Ages.

COST: FREE

We’re back! The New West Farmers Market’s 15th season kicks off on March 28th with an Easter-themed Block Party! The market runs weekly on Thursdays from 3pm – 7pm in Tipperary Park until November 7th.

Sponsored by Key West Ford, this season starts with a bang – a free, family-friendly Block Party featuring a city-wide Easter Egg Hunt in collaboration with the City of New Westminster. Stop by the first market of the season and leave not only with all your locally-produced groceries, but with an assortment of free goodies, including cookies for the first 100 visitors, a piñata, a photobooth, free children’s crafts by New West Family Place, face painting and balloon animals from 4-6pm. Featuring live entertainment all market long by Sue Breton and an opening ceremony to welcome back the community!

Not interested in balloon animals? We got you covered too! There will be a silent auction sourced from vendors and local businesses within New West. The market will also be hosting deals on their annual market membership program – giving you exclusive access to deals throughout the year!

Come by for some fun and get all your shopping done! Meet the New West Farmers Market’s 2024 vendors for their first date of the season. There will be lots of your favourite businesses plus many new products, farms and faces. Bring your reusable shopping bags, your appetite, and the whole family! 

 

 

The New West Farmers Market focuses on environmentally sustainable food by bringing locally grown and produced food to the community, thereby contributing to local economic development, healthy eating, and food security. We strive to make our market diverse in our offerings so there is truly something for everyone, as well as being an inclusive, welcoming environment for the community to gather.

We’re looking for new members to join our Board of Directors!

If you’re passionate about food security, local businesses and economic development, and healthy eating, this could be the role for you!

This volunteer opportunity is a 6-8 hour per month commitment, with directors expected to attend monthly meetings. While non-profit and board experience is not necessary, priority will go to candidates with experience in fundraising and Indigenous world views.

If you’re interested in applying to be a member of our board, please send your resume and cover letter to secretary@newwestfarmers.ca as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 29th. You can read the complete role description here.