Spring is almost upon us! A few weeks ago, a rodent in a number of parts of the continent predicted an early spring and this weekend we set our clocks one hour forward. My snowdrops, crocuses, and other bulbs are all poking up, and my veggie garden layout is complete. Our farmers are all busy with season preparations, and a few of them never really stopped!
The market this Saturday will showcase the coming of spring with fresh farm products, homemade delicacies, and beautiful one of a kind crafts. We’re featuring Ron Ulrich, a summer market favourite with a huge repertoire and a silky voice. We’ve also pleased to be presenting a 30 minute lecture in the lounge with Kelly Kiss, a registered holistic nutritionist about the 10 Healthy Benefits of Eating Local. The lecture will run at 11am and 1pm and will take place in the lounge. It is absolutely free to the public.
Also in the lounge is homemade playdough and colouring for kids. Our community group this month is the Royal City Gogos – grandmothers helping grandmothers. Finally, If you haven’t signed up to be a RCFM member 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.
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 3 zone transit pass. Green Zebra is also sponsoring a draw – anyone is permitted to enter to win a Green Zebra Guide – a chock full coupon book for green living. For both draws, see our friendly volunteers at the info desk where you can also pick up some of our new merchandise!
The winter market is Saturday March 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. The City of New Westminster is also sponsoring free parking at the downtown waterfront parkade – so grab some friends and carpool to the market.
Here’s the vendor lineup (please note: this list is current as of Monday March 7th – cancellations do occasionally occur):
Eat On Site
- Copeland Foods – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas
- Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
- Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
Produce
- Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
- Golden West Farms – Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
- Misty Mountain Specialties – fresh wild and cultivated mushrooms, dried mushroom products
- 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
- Sweet Delights – vegan 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
- Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch
Local Crafters
- Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
- Dingolay Glass Creations – African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
- Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
- Jewelry by Apt – hand made jewelry
- Magnetite Jewelry by Gina – magnetite jewelry custom fit
- The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential and fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
- Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations
PS: Here’s a poster if you’d like to download it and put it up in your building!
