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The $40 Challenge with Katie Bartel

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bike to market

What can you get for $40?

Some believe, when it comes to Farmer’s Markets, not much. Because the food isn’t mass produced on a level of say Safeway or Costco suppliers, surely the prices are a premium?

The Royal City Farmers’ Market is challenging that notion. They believe that with a little bit of resourcefulness, $40 can go a long way at the market.

Every Thursday, from now until the end of the summer market season, we’re going to put that belief to the test. I will be spending $40 to fill my fridge and pantry with market staples. I’ll write about the successes, and the failures.

My family is comprised of three people: two adults, and a teenage-­thinking toddler. My husband works full time, I’m a full-­time student heading to UBC this fall with the intent of becoming a registered dietitian. Our son goes to daycare full-­time. As a single­-income family, with a huge chunk of our savings going to education and daycare, we are always on the hunt for grocery deals. We scour the flyers, shop multiple chains, acquire the majority of our fruits and veggies at mom-­and­-pop produce stands for the best deals. As a prospective dietitian, and a type-­1 diabetic, health plays a huge factor – the more fresh and the more nutrient rich the better. But it’s got to be tasty too.

I know the farmer’s market has fresh and nutritious in the bag; but what about value? We eat a crazy amount of salads and greens; I average two giant salads a day. My husband joins me in a dinner salad. We often eat grilled veggies with our dinner. Our son has breakfast smoothies full of varietal greens, and fruit is pretty much included in every meal and snack we have.

With this column, I am going to explore whether the market can not only beat the chains in quality, but value as well.

Farmers Market Challenge: Plan! Plan! Plan!

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(This is part of a series, check out the intro.) 

Going into the first week of our $40 market-spending challenge, I knew my husband and I were going to have to rework the way we did things with regards to meal planning and formulating shopping lists. Previously, we’d sit down at the end of the week to figure out the meals for the coming week, and then set a plan for acquiring groceries based on those meals. But with the Royal City Farmers’ Market on Thursdays, meal planning needed to be pushed back to at least Wednesday, if not Tuesday.

Instead of just coming up with meals off the tip of our tongues, we researched online what vendors were at the market for the coming week. We knew, given the amount of salads and vegetables we eat, we wanted the majority of our stock to be produce. We wanted something unique, something you wouldn’t necessarily see at the grocery store, or even the vegetable-specific shops. We also wanted a protein, which we recognized would eat up a good chunk of our budget. As such, fruit was not a priority; my family eats fruit nearly every meal and snack of the day, and unfortunately a small basket just wouldn’t go a long way. [Read more…]

What Can You Get for $40?

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DSCN1740What can you get for $40?

Some believe, when it comes to Farmer’s Markets, not much. Because the food isn’t mass produced on a level of say Safeway or Costco suppliers, surely the prices are a premium?

The Royal City Farmers’ Market is challenging that notion. They believe that with a little bit of resourcefulness, $40 can go a long way at the market.

Every Thursday, from now until the end of the summer market season, we’re going to put that belief to the test. I will be spending $40 to fill my fridge and pantry with market staples. I’ll write about the successes, and the failures. [Read more…]

July 7th Market Day

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Carrots

So many tasty things showing up at the market this week! For fruit you’ll find all sorts of goodies from berries to… wait for it… early APPLES! We also have all your staple veggies to fill your fridge for the week including carrots, potatoes, greens and more. Make RCFM your first stop when it comes to grocery shopping, we have the freshest produce around, picked fresh that morning.

We also have some tasty options for dinner. Stay and eat a delicious meal from one of our food trucks, Disco Cheetah or Meet 2 Eat. We also have freshly made pakoras at the Country Village Market stand. After you’re done shopping pick up a bottle of wine from Pacific Breeze Winery and head on home.

What’s happening at the market this week?

Entertainment

Yoga

  • Free yoga class (weather dependent) from 5:15 to 6:15 sponsored by Diane Haynes Yoga

For the Kids

  • Have fun in our Mini Farmers Market play area (free)
  • Chill out in our Baby/Parent “lounge” on the grass (free)
  • Make a crafty craft with our friends at The Music Box NW (free)
  • Face painting with Allyson ($)

For information on where our market is located, how to find parking and transit directions visit our Summer FAQ page.

Download the Ultimate Farmers Market Shopping List to help with your meal planning and purchases for the week.

Farm Fresh Produce

  • Greendale Herb and Vine – herbs, mini cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, greens, sweet red peppers
  • Ripple Creek Organics – blueberries, lettuce, spinach, salad mix, plant starts, radish, garlic scapes, chard, kale, nugget potatoes, fava beans, zucchini, broccoli, green onions, snap peas, green beans, fresh garlic (Certified Organic)
  • Ossome Acres – radishes, pea shoots, spinach, arugula, oak leaf lettuce, eggs, raw walnuts, parsley, flowers, green onions, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, rainbow chard (Certified Organic)
  • Bose & Sons Family Farm –  Carrot, Kale (Green, Red, Black), Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Red Leaf, Green Leaf, Green Butter, Red Butter, Romaine), Potato (White/New, Red, Russet, Sieglinde), Radish
  • Harvest Direct Farms – Cherries, apricots, peaches
  • Fresh Quality Produce Ltd – raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries zucchinis, nugget potatoes, peas, peppers
  • Zaklan Heritage Farms – Cherries, peaches, pac choi, Leaf lettuce, head lettuce, mini gem head lettuce, baby beets, hakurei, radishes (all sorts), salad mix, mustard greens, arugula, swiss chard, kale, baby kale, spinach, mint, sage, oregano, thyme, brocoli, napa cabbage, kohlrabi, green onions, baby cucumbers, zucchini, fava beans
  • Country Village Market – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • Nutrigreens – microgreens
  • RCFM Merchandise Stall – Dried morel mushrooms

Perennials & Cut Flowers 

  • Rancho Los Andes – gorgeous cut flower bouquets
  • Van Paridon – shade perennials plants for the garden

Cheese & Dairy

  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters – Cheddar-Aged Medium, Brie, Jersey Blue, Cultured Butter, Havarti-Aged (Flavoured), Gouda-Aged Medium (Flavoured), Feta (Plain, Cranberry, Garlic Scape), Curds, Neufchatel (Plain, Herb & Garlic), Quark (Plain, Cranberry), Emmental, Velvet Blue
  • The Local Churn – hand churned gourmet butters
  • Greendale Herb & Vine – goats cheese

Beef, Eggs, Poultry and Seafood

  • Rockweld Farm – BC SPCA Certified frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs, dog and cat food
  • Wild West Coast Seafoods –  flash frozen fillets of Rock Sole, Petrale Sole, Rockfish, Ling Cod, Pacific Cod, Sablefish, Chinook/Spring Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sidestripe Shrimp, Halibut, Albacore Tuna Loin.
  • Wheelhouse Seafoods – seafood pasta and crab cakes, frozen salmon and spot prawns
  • Vale Farms – Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, Beef Broth, Pork all 100% grass fed (Certified Organic)
  • Local Beef & Eggs

Artisan Breads

  • A Bread Affair – breads, baguettes, ciabattas, rolls, scones (Certified Organic)

Gluten Free Breads & Baking

  • Delish Gluten Free – bread, scones, muffins, brownies and cookies
  • Marie’s Guilt Free Baking – bread, cookies, pizza dough and snacks

Bakery

  • Sweet Thea Cakes – tarts, pies, cookies and cakes
  • Samaya Delights – turmeric muffins, baklava
  • Solodko Bakery – Ukrainian bakery with sweet buns
  • Simply Scones – traditional English style scones
  • Sable Shortbread – tasty yummy specialty shortbread

Coffee & Snacks

Food Trucks & Eat On Site

  • Disco Cheetah – fusion Korean food truck
  • Meet 2 Eat – Middle Eastern foods including falafel and shwarma!
  • Country Village Market – delicious pakoras

Prepared Food (Dry Goods & Seasonings)

  • The Salt Dispensary – salted caramels, smoked salts and pepper mixes
  • Greendale Herb & Vine – Nuts (hazelnuts), Muesli, Infused Vinegars, Popcorn Kernels, Herbal Teas, Dried Lavender
  • The Raw Guy – kale chips, seasonings, raw cookies
  • Growing Fresh – granola and raw vegan foods

Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)

  • Aldergrove Jam & Preserves – jams, chutneys and preserves
  • Urbani Foods – cured meats, risotto balls and more
  • BobAli – your favourite dips and spreads
  • KICS Lemonade Syrup – syrups and salad dressings
  • Aji Gourmet – salsas and delicious condiments
  • Old Country Perogi – frozen perogies (gluten free and vegan options available)
  • Sidney Smoke House – jerky made on Vancouver Island
  • Chef T Catering – delicious wraps for you to take home

Health and Beauty

  • Purely Clean – an all natural way to clean your home

Jewelry & Artisan Crafts

  • Quality Oak Accents – hand crafted cutting boards by Louie
  • Stones & Weaves – hand made leather and gemstone jewelry
  • New World Felting – beautifully made felted scarves & hats

Wine, Beer & Spirits

Special Thanks to our Music Stage Sponsor Roland Kaulfuss:

rolandkaulfuss logo

June 30th Market Day

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peaches-03

It’s Members Appreciation Day at the market this Thursday! Dust off those membership cards and take advantage of the deals offered by our vendors including:

  • Rhubarb Earl Grey butter for $1 – The Local Churn
  • $1.00 off on the Anise Cookies – Samaya Delights
  • Buy any gemstone pendant leather choker at a  value ‎of $20. And choose a second one for only $10 – Lighten Up Jewels
  • $1 off baguettes – A Bread Affair
  • $5/per wrap for members – Chef T Catering
  • Double stamps on loyalty cards – Seedibles
  • And so much more!

This week is also the start of our expanded summer market. You’ll find 10-12 more vendors each market and the food trucks will be located on the grass next to Queen’s Avenue.

What’s happening at the market this week?

Entertainment

Yoga

For the Kids

  • Have fun in our Mini Farmers Market play area (free)
  • Chill out in our Baby/Parent “lounge” on the grass (free)
  • Fun crafty craft with Music Box NW (free)
  • Get your face painted at The Stage New West ($)

For information on where our market is located, how to find parking and transit directions visit our Summer FAQ page.

Download the Ultimate Farmers Market Shopping List to help with your meal planning and purchases for the week.

Farm Fresh Produce

  • Greendale Herb and Vine – herbs, mini cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, greens, sweet red peppers
  • Ripple Creek Organics – blueberries, lettuce, spinach, salad mix, plant starts, radish, garlic scapes, chard, kale, nugget potatoes, fava beans, zucchini, brocoli, green onions, snap peas, green beans, fresh garlic (Certified Organic)
  • Ossome Acres – radishes, pea shoots, spinach, arugula, oak leaf lettuce, eggs, raw walnuts, parsley, flowers, green onions, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, rainbow chard (Certified Organic)
  • Bose & Sons Family Farm – lettuce greens, carrots, potatoes
  • Harvest Direct Farms – Cherries, apricots, peaches
  • Fresh Quality Produce Ltd – raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries zucchinis, nugget potatoes, peas, peppers
  • Zaklan Heritage Farms – Cherries, pac choi, Leaf lettuce, head lettuce, mini gem head lettuce, baby beets, hakurei, radishes (all sorts), salad mix, mustard greens, arugula, swiss chard, kale, baby kale, spinach, mint, sage, oregano, thyme, brocoli, napa cabbage, kohlrabi, green onions, baby cucumbers, zucchini, fava beans
  • Country Village Market – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • Nutrigreens – microgreens
  • RCFM Merchandise Stall – Dried morel mushrooms

Cut Flowers

  • Rancho Los Andes – expertly made bouquets for you to enjoy

Cheese & Dairy

  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters – Cheddar-Aged Medium, Brie, Jersey Blue, Cultured Butter, Havarti-Aged (Flavoured), Gouda-Aged Medium (Flavoured), Feta (Plain, Cranberry, Garlic Scape), Curds, Neufchatel (Plain, Herb & Garlic), Quark (Plain, Cranberry), Emmental, Velvet Blue
  • The Local Churn – hand churned gourmet butters
  • Greendale Herb & Vine – goats cheese

Beef, Eggs, Poultry and Seafood

  • Rockweld Farm – BC SPCA Certified frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs, dog and cat food
  • Wild West Coast Seafoods –  flash frozen fillets of Rock Sole, Petrale Sole, Rockfish, Ling Cod, Pacific Cod, Sablefish, Chinook/Spring Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sidestripe Shrimp, Halibut, Albacore Tuna Loin.
  • Wheelhouse Seafoods – seafood pasta and crab cakes, frozen salmon and spot prawns
  • D-Original Sausage House – sausages, bratwurst, salamis, pretzel buns
  • Local Beef & Eggs – rasberries, purslane

Artisan Breads

  • A Bread Affair – breads, baguettes, ciabattas, rolls, scones (Certified Organic)

Gluten Free Breads & Baking

  • Delish Gluten Free – bread, scones, muffins, brownies and cookies
  • Marie’s Guilt Free Baking – bread, cookies, pizza dough and snacks

Bakery

Coffee & Snacks

Food Trucks & Eat On Site

  • Nellie’s Vietnamese – fusion of flavours from around the Vietnam & Vancouver
  • Meet 2 Eat – food with Middle Eastern flare
  • Rocky Point Ice Cream– locally made ice cream and sorbetto

Prepared Food (Dry Goods & Seasonings)

  • Greendale Herb & Vine – Nuts (hazelnuts), Muesli, Infused Vinegars, Popcorn Kernels, Herbal Teas, Dried Lavender
  • Sidney Smoke House – locally made jerky
  • James Lewis Foods – granola bars packed full of good stuff
  • Seedibles – all natural seasoning that boost nutrition in meals

Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)

  • Anne’s Gallery – jams, chutneys and preserves
  • BobAli – hummus, olive tapenades and delicious spreads
  • Chef T Catering – assorted yummy wraps
  • Jam Shack Preservery – savoury spreads
  • Lilise Applesauce – gourmet applesauce
  • Ostro Organics – cold pressed oils
  • Honeybee Zen Apiaries – locally sourced honey from New West
  • Chanthorn Orchids & Thai Sauces – tasty sauces for authentic Thai dishes
  • Muy Rico – salsas, mayonaise, mole sauces, tortilla chips and corn tortillas
  • Old Country Perogi – frozen perogies (gluten free and vegan options available)

Health and Beauty

  • Blue Rose Soaps – soaps and personal care products

Jewelry & Artisan Crafts

  • Anne’s Gallery – hand knit Irish sweaters
  • Bits & Keys – funky jewelry and fun crossstiches
  • Quality Oak – hand crafted cutting boards
  • Lighten Up Jewels – timeless pieces made with love
  • New World Felting – beautifully made felted scarves, hats
  • Faye – The Art of Melissa Mary Duncan, prints, paintings and more

Wine, Beer & Spirits

  • Blind Tiger Winery – Lake Country wines
  • Dragon Mist Distillery – locally made vodka and gin

Special Thanks to our Music Stage Sponsor Roland Kaulfuss:

rolandkaulfuss logo

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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.