As part of our mission to support all of our community, RCFM allocates one space to a community group at every market. The space is offered free of charge, and includes the use of a table, two chairs, and a tent. We encourage groups from New Westminster to apply and give preference to groups working with food security, environmental concerns and health issues. For our complete guidelines and application form, please check out the community group page. We are now accepting applications from community groups for the Summer 2011 season. We encourage you to apply early – the spots fill up fast.

We recently developed some amazing branded goodies you can buy to support Royal City Farmers Market. All gear is available at all of the markets and community events we attend. Don’t forget special prices apply to merchandise if you’re a member and all members are entitled to a one time 50% discount on a single item. Check out the Merchandise page for more info and prices, as well as pictures!

Consider this: the farmers market is a great place for a date – your first or your 400th. It’s fun, it’s interesting, it has lots to talk about and neat things to see and do. This weekend is our Sweetheart Market and we’re telling our members just how much we appreciate them! Join us for Member Appreciation Day – selected vendors will be offering a discount so just show them your 2011 membership card. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can in the lobby! Membership is just $10 and is a great way to show your support for the market and is one of the ways we fundraise.

We’re also featuring local singer songwriter Mike Friesen as our musical guest with 40s and 50s folk and pop standards, as well as the Wildlife Rescue Association as our community group. In the lounge, there will be free form tissue collaging for children to experiment with. Finally, make sure you take some time to chat with our volunteer, Kelly Kiss – she’s a registered holistic nutritionist and she’ll be on hand to talk heart health in the lobby.

Our friends at Translink are again sponsoring our transit incentive draw – take transit, walk, or cycle to the market and be entered to win a warm fleece jacket. The City of New Westminster is also sponsoring free parking at the downtown waterfront parkade – so grab some friends and carpool to the market.

The winter market is Saturday February 12th, from 10-2 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, located at 514 Carnarvon Street in New Westminster. It is very close to the Columbia Skytrain Station.

Here’s the vendor lineup for Saturday:

Eat On Site

• new! Eli’s Serious Sausage – eat on site locally made smokies
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Golden West Farms – Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Shalefield Organic Gardens – produce from the Columbia Valley

Dairy

• 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

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – Baked Goods
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa
• Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
• new! Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch

Local Crafters

• Alma Valle Fine Silver Jewelry – handcrafted sterling silver original jewelry
• Dingolay Glass Creations – African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Melia’s Enterprise – handpainted scarves
• The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential and fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Pomomama Designs – wire crochet jewelry and accessories, fused fabric and metal art
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

Our 2011 forms are now available for vendors to fill out to join our market. You can find them all here, as well as a description about the process of becoming a vendor. Allocation will begin February 21st. The craft jury will take place in early March for all new crafters. New this year, we will also be holding an all-vendor meeting prior to the start of the season.  Any questions about the process or what is required, please email Jen at marketmanager@newwestfarmers.ca.