We’ve been getting lots of calls lately from vendors interested in applying to be a part of our market summer 2012. First, we want to say how happy we are that you’re so organized! We’re not yet organized ourselves, though and wanted to let you know what the timeline is.

Our AGM is January 26th (we hope you can come!), and we’ll be electing a new Board of Directors for the 2012 year. Once they’re elected, they’ll set the policies, fees, and other parts of the summer 2012 season. Once that’s in place, we then can prepare the application packages.

If you’re intersted in applying with us, we recommend you sign up to the Interested Vendors List. In late February or early March, we’ll be sending the list the application package once it is ready. All summer 2011 and winter 2011-2012 vendors are already added to this list.

Thank you for your interest!

Our next winter market is coming up on Saturday, December 3rd, at River Market, located at 810 Quayside Drive from 10am to 2pm. We’ll be celebrating all things winter at this market.

Music at the market is courtesy of a troupe of performers from the Amabilis Singers – they’ll be roving and carolling at the market – feel free to join in! Our music is sponsored by The Heritage Grill. We are also pleased that this month’s kids’ craft area is sponsored by Pretty Up Parties. As well, don’t miss the Father Winter photo booth, sponsored by Harry Pehkonen Photography. Have your family or children’s photo taken for free (digital download) or a small fee (mailed print) with Father Winter. We’re also accepting pyjama donations for the Christmas Pyjama Drive, and are happy to be welcoming the Wildlife Rescue Association as our community group. Plus! The local Ranger troupe will be selling their famous cookies at the west entrance.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via McKenzie, 6th, or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed for Saturday December 3rd from 10-2. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market – to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com – we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Eat On Site

• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Applebarn Pumpkin Farm – peppers, cukes, apple cider
• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Glen Valley Organic Farm – certified organic produce from a farm located only 50km from New Westminster
• Golden West Farms – Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Port Hardy Seafood – BC caught fish and prawns
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
• Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch
• Vancouver Natural Gourmets – sweet treats and good eats, all raw!

Local Crafters

• Amanda McCracken – one of a kind crocheted 3D stuffed toys
• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Calido Art Glass – lampworked beads and jewelry
• Hoover Crafted Jewelry – beaded jewelry made in New Westminster
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
• Monkey Business – costumed handmade sock monkeys
• The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
• Working Silver – unique handmade silver jewelry

We get asked for a printable copy of our beautiful winter market poster. Once again, Miranda from Hudsonny Design + Handmade has donated her services in designing and producing this poster and if you need a graphic designer we have nothing but good things to say about her!

Here is a jpg version of our poster good for sharing (click to make it bigger):

And here is a PDF version if you’d prefer!

RCFM 2011-2012 Winter Poster small

We are really excited to be working with the Christmas Pajama Drive at our November and December winter markets to collect new jammies for kids aged newborn to 16 years. As part of the Christmas Bureau, which for years has made sure kids get a gift for Christmas, the Christmas Pajama Drive makes sure they get new, cozy, fresh pajamas for the holidays.

Drop off a pair of new, unwrapped jammies at the market November 5th or December 3rd for kids aged newborn to 16 years and we’ll make sure they get to the right place. As a thank you for donating, we’ll give you a $1 coupon to be used at any winter market at any vendor stall.

Check them out on Facebook and spread the word!