kids

Calling All Junior Vendors!

August 14, 2017 By newwestfarmers

Hey Kids, are you interested in showcasing some of your crafty talents? Then the New West Farmers Market’s Junior Vendor Market is for you! Kids 18 and under are welcome to participate by bringing crafts to show and sell. This August 24th, the NWFM will be hosting its 2017 edition of the Junior Vendors Market, generously sponsored by the Arts Council Of New West! Make the best of your last weeks of the summer and come display your talents, and possibly make some money!

A half table will be provided to every vendor and the vending area will be set under tents. Each junior vendor is asked to provide a reduced market stall fee of 5$ for reserving and renting their space.

Deadline for applying: August 21st, 2017

Junior vendors are also asked to bring:

a chair
a cash float for your sales

Take note that no food is allowed to be sold, only fun crafts!

To make things interesting, you could outfit your table with decorations and your name, or the name of your junior business to draw attention to your products!

We ask that all junior vendors be ready for a 2:30 set up time. The tents and tables will already be in place for you to set up your items. Your table should be ready to receive and serve customers by 3pm!

The market closes at 7PM so be mindful not to pack up your table items before the end of the market.

Parents, please note our kids’ area will not be supervised by market staff and the kids’ market is not a child minding service. Arrangements for them to be suitably supervised as they process transactions and interact with customers should be considered and made. We also ask for permission to take and use photos to be used in our future marketing materials, and will ask you to sign a document giving us that permission

Here’s how to apply:

Please send an email with the subject line “NWFM Junior Vendors Market 2017” at

marketmanager@newwestfarmers.ca

In your email you should include:

Junior Vendor’s name and parent contact information
Your list of crafty items you wish to sell

We look forward to having you with us on Thursday August 24th from 3PM to 7PM at the New West Farmers Market in Tipperary Park for our 2017 edition of the Junior Vendors Market!

Farmers Market Challenge Week 15: The Finale!

October 16, 2016 By newwestfarmers

Oh. My. Goodness.

Wow!

Is that real?

It can’t possibly be bread, it must be cake!

They assured us it was bread.

Chocolate bread!!!

Last week was the final week of the summer market bringing the $40 market-spending challenge to a close. And in proper, good Katie form, I went all out.

Early in the challenge, I would never have purchased an $8 loaf of bread, chocolate or not. My spending was based on a strict budget where veggies took precedent. But, as the summer market started preparing for fall, the veggie selection became less vast, and, well, sometimes you really do need a reward for doing a great job.

I think I did a great job; chocolate bread was my reward.

Sadly, I did not read the ingredients. I did not realize there was orange infused into that bread. I do not eat orange-infused sweet treats; haven’t since I was about five years old and some totally evil person decided to underhandedly slip marmalade onto my toast – blech! In my mind, orange does NOT belong in chocolate.

Sigh.

fm16-chocolate-bread — Plus, we may have overdone the sweet factor: Chocolate French toast, syrup and all. Holy decadence!

FINAL WEEK’S LOOT:

Zaklan Heritage Farm: • 2 bunches of mustard greens: $5

1 mini lettuce: $2
2 purple onions: $2.65
1 bunch parsley: $2

Ossome Acres: • 1 zucchini: $2

Ripple Creek Organic Farm: • 1 garlic: $3

A Bread Affair: • Chocolate bread: $8

Wild West Coast Seafoods: • 1 lb tuna: $16

Total spent was $40.65.

When I started this challenge 16 weeks ago, I didn’t know what exactly it would present. I considered our family on the upper scale of health prior to going in, but admittedly we were a bit stale and stagnant in meal planning, eating the same-old, same-old week after week.

The market changed that.

It gave us new foods, new recipes, new cooking adventures, new menus, new tastes, new perspectives.

This is what the market gave my family:

fm16-collage — A collage of tasty goodness

In my first post of this challenge, I asked if the market was true to its negative stereotype of being “too expensive,” a sentiment I have heard echoed several times by my fellow Food, Nutrition and Health peers at UBC. After 16 weeks, I can handedly say that yes, some of the product is pricier than you’d get at grocery stores. But, and this is a huge but, the quality, flavour and freshness is bar none far superior to that of the chains.

When you know your food was picked that day, when you know your food hasn’t undergone chemical procedures to stall the ripening process, when you know every bite is going to be infused with an intense flavour that tickles your differing taste buds, when you know it’s going to last longer than a few days, as long as a FEW weeks even, that has to be factored into the budget.

When you know how to shop the market, as I quickly learned, when you know how to search out the best deals (two for $5 mustard greens made my list EVERY week), when you know how to plan, when you build relationships with the farmers, when you know how to use so-called wastes to your advantage (onion stems was a favourite discovery), you DO see a savings.

We did.

We stopped going to the veggie stand three times a week; our foods were lasting. We stopped buying salad dressings; the intensity of the greens didn’t require added flavouring. In meal planning, we started looking at multiple ways of using the entire vegetable – limited waste, so an environmental savings as well.

There were challenges. A vegetable one week was not guaranteed the next; something you had hoped would be there, didn’t make the cut that week; if you weren’t there early, chances were the items you wanted were all gone.

fmnopierogies — The week of no perogies!

Our final market meal was a trusty favourite we discovered the third week of the challenge – tuna loin. Unfortunately it had jumped in price since the beginning of the summer; what cost $12 in June, cost $16 in October due to a “crummy” season. It meant fennel was scratched from the list. It meant none of the maybes on the list would get into our bag. But man, that tuna – a drool-worthy, dream-worthy delicacy! Worth every sacrifice. Worth every penny.

fm16-final-shop — Challenge complete. Where oh where to get my mustard greens now?

Dear summer market, so much of you I shall miss.

Luckily, winter is coming!

Winter market starts November 5, and runs the first and third Saturday of the month, uptown on Belmont street.

See you there.

August 4th Market Day

August 3, 2016 By newwestfarmers

Rocky Point Ice Cream is back at the market this week… just in time to fulfill our frozen treat cravings! If you are craving something cold but on the lighter side check out Growing Fresh, Monika has gorgeous fruit popsicles ready for eating.

Need a break after a long work day? Tired of running after the kids? Let Tanner take your cares away! Tanner is providing chair massages at the market for $1 a minute. Treat yourself to ice cream and a massage… perfect way to end the day.

What’s happening at the market this week?

Entertainment

Roland Kaulfuss Music Stage presents Chris Ronald.

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 (free)
Get your face painted by CVC Volunteer Connections! (free)

For our Furry Friends

Mindful Mutts will be at the market selling Pride doggy bandanas

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, eggplants, greens, sweet red peppers, garlic, apples, heirloom tomatoes
Ripple Creek Organics – chard, kale, beets, nugget potatoes, zucchini, brocoli, green onions, green beans, fresh garlic, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes (Certified Organic)
Ossome Acres – pea shoots, oak leaf lettuce, eggs, raw walnuts, parsley, green onions, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, rainbow chard, purple cabbage, broccoli, scallopini, scallions, sunflower shoots, wheat grass, transparent apples, kohlrabi, potatoes, cucumber, castile soap (Certified Organic)
Bose & Sons Family Farm – lettuce greens, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, kale
Harvest Direct Farms – Cherries, apricots, peaches, plum, apricots, apples
Fresh Quality Produce Ltd – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries zucchinis, nugget potatoes, green beans, wax beans
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, green onions, baby cucumbers, zucchini, fava beans, snap peas, carrots
Country Village Market – raspberries, blueberries, strawberries
Nutrigreens – microgreens
RCFM Merchandise Stall – Dried morel mushrooms, figs

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
Wheelhouse Seafoods – seafood pasta and crab cakes, frozen salmon and spot prawns
Vale Farms – Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Beef Broth, Pork all 100% grass fed (Certified Organic)
Local Beef & Eggs – wild blackberries, purslane, onions, chives, rhubarb, eggs, kale

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
Solodko Bakery – Ukrainian bakery with sweet buns
Simply Scones – traditional English style scones
Sable Shortbread – tasty yummy specialty shortbread
Take a Fancy – delicious hand made chocolates

Coffee & Snacks

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

Food Trucks & Eat On Site

Meet 2 Eat – Middle Eastern fare
Disco Cheetah – Korean fusion tacos and rice bowls
Country Village Market – delicious pakoras
Rocky Point Ice Cream – ice cream made in Port Moody

Prepared Food (Dry Goods & Seasonings)

The Salt Dispensary – salted caramels, smoked salts and pepper mixes
Greendale Herb & Vine – Nuts (hazelnuts), Muesli, Infused Vinegars, Popcorn Kernels, Herbal Teas, Dried Lavender

Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)

Aldergrove Jam & Preserves – jams, chutneys and preserves
BobAli – your favourite dips and spreads
KICS Lemonade Syrup – syrups and salad dressings
Honeybee Zen Apiaries – honey made from New West hives
Aji Gourmet – salsas and delicious condiments
Old Country Perogi – frozen perogies (gluten free and vegan options available)
Sidney Smoke House – jerky made on Vancouver Island
Chef T Catering – delicious wraps for you to take home
Mixers & Elixirs – shrubs perfect for drinking on a summers day
Growing Fresh – raw treats & snacks and now popsicles too!

Health, Beauty & Services

Purely Clean – an all natural way to clean your home
Tanner’s Massage – chair massage for $1 a minute

Jewelry & Artisan Crafts

Out Designs – hand made local jewelry
Quality Oak Accents – hand crafted cutting boards by Louie
New World Felting – beautifully made felted scarves & hats

Wine, Beer & Spirits

Blind Tiger Winery – organic wines from Lake Country, BC
Odd Society Spirits – small-batch craft distillery in the heart of East Vancouver

Special Thanks to our Music Stage Sponsor Roland Kaulfuss:

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.