buy local – Page 5

July 14th Market Day

July 13, 2016 By newwestfarmers

strawblue

This Thursday is going to be a lovely day in Tipperary Park, come and take advantage of the dry weather and pick up some groceries! NOW is the time to purchase BLUEBERRIES to preserve for the year. Buy them in pints, 5lb, or 10lb lots. Don’t wait too much longer or else they will disappear from market and you will miss out on preserving local berries to eat year round!

What’s happening at the market this week?

Junior Vendors Market

The Arts Council of New Westminster is sponsoring our Junior Vendor Market this week. We love giving young people an opportunity to become entrepreneurs. Please stop by their tables this Thursday and support a young New West artist.

Entertainment

Roland Kaulfuss Music Stage presents Jana Seale.

Yoga

Free yoga class 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)
Fun crafty craft with Music Box NW (free)

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, plum, apricots, nectarines
Fresh Quality Produce Ltd – 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 – 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
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
Local Beef & Eggs – raspberries, 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

Sweet Thea Cakes – tarts, pies, cookies and cakes
Samaya Delights – turmeric muffins, baklava

Coffee & Snacks

Handworks Coffee Studio – hot pour over coffee
Gary’s Kettlecorn – kettle corn (traditional and caramel)

Food Trucks & Eat On Site

Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare – vegan burritos sausages and more!
D-Original Sausage House – sausages, bratwurst, salamis, pretzel buns
Country Village Market – delicious pakoras

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
Simply Delish Soups & Salads – premade mixes ready for you to make at home
James Lewis Foods – granola bars packed full of good stuff
Seedibles – all natural seasoning that boost nutrition in meals
Growing Fresh – granola and raw vegan foods

Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)

Anne’s Gallery – jams, chutneys and preserves
BobAli – hummus, olive tapenades and delicious spreads
Jam Shack Preservery – savoury spreads
Lilise Applesauce – gourmet applesauce
Ostro Organics – cold pressed oils
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)

Jewelry & Artisan Crafts

Anne’s Gallery – hand knit Irish sweaters
Bits & Keys – funky jewelry and fun crosstiches
Stones & Weaves – hand made leather and gemstone jewelry
Ildiko Jewelry – handforged sterling silver jewelry

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:

Farmers Market Challenge: Microgreens – Small Size, Big Flavour

July 13, 2016 By newwestfarmers

Not sure what this is about? Check out the intro to our series for info.

“Daddy, why are you putting dead flowers onto mommy’s salad???”

Oh child, those aren’t dead flowers, nope, those are microgreens, and you better be liking them because they’re a new must-have staple in our market-buying groceries. (Note: Microgreens do not look like dead flowers; this was the observation of a three-year-old.)

When I walked past the Nutrigreens tent at last week’s market, I looked at my list and sure enough microgreens were there, but only on the maybe side. That meant that only after we got our necessities for the week purchased could we splurge on the maybes.

We are working with a budget after all; we’ve got to stick to the plan. [Read more…]

The $40 Challenge with Katie Bartel

July 7, 2016 By newwestfarmers

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.

Call for Junior Vendors

June 27, 2016 By newwestfarmers

juniorvendors

The Royal City Farmers Market is seeking Junior Vendors for our Junior Vendor Market that takes place on Thursday July 14th from 3pm to 7pm in gorgeous Tipperary Park next to New Westminster’s City Hall.

Kids of all ages are asked to bring crafts to sell and will be provided with a tent and 1/2 a table for their vending space. This space is provided to kids for a reduced vendor fee of $5 and is sponsored by Arts Council of New Westminster.

Deadline for applying: July 11, 2016

Further information:

Please note that set up time is 2:30pm. Tables and tents will be set up and ready to go for the kids to set up their goodies to sell! Please be set up by 3pm.

Items that Junior Vendors will need to bring:

-chair
-$5 for registration fee
-cash float
-fun crafty items to sell (no food sales are allowed!)
-maybe a small sign with business name?
-decorations for the table
-smiles!

Parking is free along Royal Avenue and Queens Avenue for the entire evening. The market closes at 7pm so we kindly ask that you don’t pack up your table until after the market closes.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send an email to Melissa Maltais at marketmanager@newwestfarmers.ca. Your email should include:

Junior vendor’s name and parent contact information
List of crafty items to sell

Please use the subject line “RCFM July 2016 Junior Vendors 2016”

June 23rd Market Day

June 21, 2016 By newwestfarmers

Flowers

The market is blooming with flowers this week. Pop by Rancho Los Andes to pick up an AMAZING bouquet of cut flowers. The perfect pick me up for a long week a the office! Zaklan Heritage Farm not only grows tasty veggies but they grow flowers too. Pick up a handful with your veggie purchase!

diane haynes yoga

The first official day of summer has passed us by (along with a full moon… anyone else feeling a little loopy?) and the arrival of lazy summer days means YOGA. Every Thursday Diane Haynes Yoga will be running a FREE class in Tipperary park from 5:15 to 6:15. This class is weather dependent so check outside before you come on down with your yoga mats.