Sponsorship and partnerships are how RCFM manages to bring a quality market to New Westminster. This winter is no different. In addition to the City of New Westminster and Westminster Savings, as well as The Heritage Grill, Derrick Thornhill, and our location partner, River Market,  RCFM is very grateful to:

Vancouver Circus School is our sponsor for the kids’ activity area at the November and January winter markets. Vancouver Circus School is located is River Market and offers a full service circus arts school. Check them out at www.vancouvercircusschool.ca

Pretty Up Parties is our sponsor for the kids’ activity area at the December and March winter markets. Pretty Up Parties is a local business that brings the party decorations to you. With a focus on green and upcycled goodies, it makes it easy to throw a fun and well decorated party in your home with no hassle. Check them out at www.prettyupparties.com

Yoyomama.ca is our sponsor for the kids’ activity area at the February and April markets. Yoyomama.ca provides events, information, product reviews, and other goodies for parents, delivered right to your inbox. Check them out at www.yoyomama.ca

We’re excited the winter market starts up for the season November 5th. The winter market runs once a month, on the first Saturday of the month, from 10-2 at River Market, which is a new location for us this year, along the river at 810 Quayside Drive.

We’re looking for some volunteers to help out. Volunteering is a rewarding way to get involved with the farmers market. As a non profit society, we rely on the support of individuals to make the market happen and we appreciate our volunteers. There are some perks to volunteering as well – after 10 hours we offer a small token of appreciation, and after 25 hours of service we offer a free membership for the next year. Shifts are brief and easy to do.

At the market:

What we most need are volunteers who can assist the vendors to unload and set up from 8am to 10am and again at 2pm until 3:30pm to help them pack up. This is light physical work – you won’t be asked to carry anything ridiculously heavy, but you might be asked to carry small boxes or the end of a table, for example.  You should dress for the weather, as you’ll be inside and outside.

We can also use some volunteers during the market to work at the info desk. At the info desk, we sell a few fundraiser items of our own, and provide information to market goers about where certain vendors are. We also have a selection of information about food security and eating healthy. For this job, you need to be comfortable talking with strangers and talking about the market.

Finally, we can use some volunteers to assist during the market as “floaters”. Floaters might spell off a vendor while they use the washroom or perhaps carry some packages to a shopper’s car, or possibly bring something from a vendor to the info desk. This job is varied and is good for folks who don’t want to sit at a desk.

Before the market:

We’ll need some folks to help promote the market by postering around town. This means going into businesses and asking if it is okay to put up a poster. The posters are at the printer right now, but should be available about a week before the first market. You’ll be supplied with the posters and tape. This can be done in the evenings, but we find during the day you have better success because of the hours of business.

We also can use help with the street signs we use for the market. These signs are put up very early in the morning on the day of the market in the neighbourhood surrounding the market site. If you’re an early bird,  this might be a good fit for you. This job does require carrying a few signs and staking them into the ground and it is definitely one you need to dress warmly for.

If you are interesting in helping out, the commitment is small. We ask that you commit to at least 3 shifts per season. We are a fun, friendly, and supportive environment that welcomes all levels of ability, regardless of age. Please get in touch with us! You can email us at volunteer@newwestfarmers.ca or download the application right here. Feel free to give us a call at 778-928-7236.

I get asked often who writes these weekly blurbs. I do! I’m Jen, and I am the Operations Manager for RCFM. The Royal City Farmers Market started in 2008 and the summer season has always stretched into the early part of fall, until the Thursday before Thanksgiving. I think it’s a good time to end our summer season, on a note of reaping what you sow, harvesting your hard work, and of giving thanks. This year is no exception. So this week, as our final market takes place, I’d like to give thanks.

Thank you to the shoppers for coming faithfully, in both beautiful sunshine and drenching rain. Thank you to the vendors who have worked so hard to contribute to our fun and family friendly atmosphere. Thank you to the board of directors for your hard work and dedication. Thank you to the donors and sponsors for our season: the City of New Westminster, Westminster Savings Credit Union, The Heritage Grill, Derrick Thornhill at Park Georgia Realty, Tenth to the Fraser.ca, Hudsonny Design, And last but most certainly not least, thank you to the volunteers for making my job easier, for showing up with smiles on your faces and working hard to make our market one of the most friendly, community oriented markets I have ever been to. To all of you, a hat tip.

And since we’re doing hat tips, we’re going to send this season off with a fun day, and October 6th will be Silly Hat Day! Wear a silly hat and get a coupon good for $1 off at our first winter market, November 5th.

We also hope you’ll be coming back for the final week of the Stamp Card contest. Pop by the info table with your stamp card for week three’s stamp! After you collect all three stamps, add your name and number to the back, and drop it into the draw box. One lucky winner will win a prize package with $25 worth of gift certificates to be spent at the winter market, as well as an RCFM ceramic double walled mug, a set of three of our amazing new produce bags, and a t-shirt (from our existing inventory) AND a free 2012 membership to our organization.

Bonus draw!  This last week, answer the question: What is the best thing about this 2011 summer farmers market season? and drop it in the draw box. One lucky winner will also be selected to win the same awesome prize package: $25 in gift certificates, the shirt, the mug, the produce bags, and the 2012 membership.

You may only win one draw, so we’ll pull the winner for the Stamped Card draw first, and if we pull the same name from the Best Thing draw, we’ll put it aside and pull another name.

One final contest that will be ending soon is the Photo Contest! We’ll be drawing it on October 8th, so get your photos in!

Music this week is Fiddlestix. Our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with hat-making crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill and Pretty Up Parties. Weather permitting, we will also have a Teddy Bear Picnic hosted by Mary Forstbauer of Forstbauer Farms.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood for free along Royal Avenue, Queens Avenue, or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Cyclists can drop bikes off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market for safekeeping. Don’t forget to check out our cool new merchandise – we are now selling reusable produce bags made locally by the people at Carebags.

A list of all vendors attending the final October 6th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of October 3rd.

Eat On Site

• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Rizalina’s Juice – fresh made juice to order
• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Cranberry Meadows – cranberries grown in Maple Ridge
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms – assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Maan Farms – assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce
• Training Wheels Farm – locally produced on a 2 acre plot in Surrey

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
• Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup treats
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Alma Valle Fine Silver Jewelry – handcrafted sterling silver original jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

Rain, rain go away….. hopefully by Thursday!

According to the forecast, Thursday is predicted as “variable cloudiness” so we are hoping that our second to last market isn’t nearly as wet as it is when I write this! We’ve got some fun stuff happening at the market this week and would much prefer for the drizzle to stay up in the sky.

First, we are pleased to have two community groups with us this week: the New Westminster Community Garden Society will be there, as will be representatives from the New Westminster Community Food Action Committee. They will be filming a short film about food security at the market. This film will not only help educate people about food security issues, but it will also be used with an application to the CRTC for New Westminster’s own community television station. Chat with the New Westminster Community Food Action Committee members at the market to learn more.

We also hope you’ll be coming back for week two of the Stamp Card contest. Pop by the info table with your stamp card for week two’s stamp! After you collect all three stamps, add your name and number to the back, and drop it into the draw box. One lucky winner will win a prize package with $25 worth of gift certificates to be spent at the winter market, as well as an RCFM ceramic double walled mug, a set of three of our amazing new produce bags, and a t-shirt (from our existing inventory) AND a free 2012 membership to our organization.

Bonus draw!  Additionally, over the remaining two weeks, answer the question: What is the best thing about this 2011 summer farmers market season? and drop it in the draw box. One lucky winner will also be selected to win the same awesome prize package: $25 in gift certificates, the shirt, the mug, the produce bags, and the 2012 membership.

You may only win one draw, so we’ll pull the winner for the Stamped Card draw first, and if we pull the same name from the Best Thing draw, we’ll put it aside and pull another name.

Music this week is Jeff Huggins. Our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill, and stop by to see our facepainter Allyson to get your arm or face painted.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood for free along Royal Avenue, Queens Avenue, or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Cyclists can drop bikes off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market for safekeeping. Don’t forget to check out our cool new merchandise – we are now selling reusable produce bags made locally by the people at Carebags.

A list of all vendors attending the September 29th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of September 26th.

Eat On Site

• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Mollie’s Minis – delightful and yummy mini donuts and other treats
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Rizalina’s Juice – fresh made juice to order
• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas
• NEW – Urban Wood Fire Pizzas – pizzas made in a wood fire oven

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Canwest Farms – blueberries in 5 and 10 pound cartons
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• NEW – Cranberry Meadows – cranberries grown in Maple Ridge
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms – assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Maan Farms – assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• 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

Local Crafters

• Dingolay Glass Creations – fused glass designs
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Kiki Kid’s Wear – hand designed, cut, and made kids clothing with a designer edge
• The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

We’ve been asked for a few more details about the winter market so here is a list of some of the Frequently Asked Questions we’re getting.

Where is River Market?

River Market is the building that many of you know as Westminster Quay. It is located at 810 Quayside Drive on the riverfront in New Westminster. It’s been beautifully renovated and is currently being filled with tenants and is open for business. You can find River Market on Facebook, Twitter, and on the web. Here’s a map:

View Larger Map

How do we get to it?

You can get to River Market a few ways: You can transit by taking the skytrain and walking from New Westminster Station. You can take the overhead walkway or you can access it on level ground via Begbie Street or the McInnes Overpass. You can take a number of different buses that terminate at New West Skytrain station – 123, 112, C9, 106, etc. Follow this link to use Translink’s planner to help you get from your house to New Westminster Station.

If you’re travelling by car, you can access via Quayside Drive which is accessible from Stewardson Way at Third Street, via the McInnes Overpass from Carnarvon Street, or you can acces from Columbia Street at Begbie Street. There is surface pay parking available on either end of River Market ($1.50 for two hours). For the market, we’ll be offering free accessible parking for those displaying the handicapped sign in their vehicle, as well as a few free 15 minute pick up parking spaces. Stay tuned for information about free parking options we are working on. Here are some great directions on River Market’s website.

What day and time is the Royal City Farmers Market winter market?

The winter market is once a month on the first Saturday of the month from November to April. It is from 10am-2pm.  The market will take place indoors and outdoors, upstairs and downstairs. The dates are November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7. If you want, you can sign up to get a reminder for the market, or you can also add our public online Google Calendar to yours.

How many vendors do you expect?

We expect about 40 vendors at each market (as a comparison, the market at the church hall the past two winters saw about 25) and you should expect to see fresh and preserved foods, crafts, kids’ activities, music, and community groups.

My community group / sport team / not for profit would like to come and fundraise at the market! How do we do that? 

We invite community groups to apply for free spaces by following the guidelines and application process here. Spaces are allocated and we encourage you to apply early. We do give preference to groups working in New Westminster and which are focused on food security, the environment, and health.

I have an awesome product I want to sell at your market! 

We are ever so pleased that we have extra space this year and can expand to include more vendors. As long as you have made, baked or grown the product yourself, we’d love to hear from you. Here is more info about becoming an RCFM vendor. We encourage people just starting out as well as seasoned pros to join our roster.

Any other questions? Please feel free to leave us a comment and we’ll update this FAQ as we are able.