About Us :: Board of Directors
Board of Directors
- President: Mary Forstbauer
- Vice-President: Bob Callioux
- Treasurer: Patrick Demers
- Secretary: Werner Hupfauer
- Director: Tabitha McLoughlin
- Director: Rachelle Leroux
- Director: Cat Major
- Director: Denise Kostash
- Director: Jon Bell
President: Mary Forstbauer
Email: president@bcfarmersmarket.org
Mary, the Organic Earth Mother is the mother of 12 children. Mary and husband Hans along with their children have been farming organically for 30 years, 18 years in Chilliwack and 12 years in Matsqui. Mary has been involved with BCAFM since its inception and served on the board of directors for many of those years. In 2007 Mary returned to the BCAFM director's position as president. "It has been a rewarding year to date" states Mary with excitement as she remembers all the exciting projects BCAFM has undertaken this year.
Mary started selling at farmers markets in 1989. She had a load of pickling cucumbers that a local "green grocer" did not need. She asked the grocer "What am I to do with these 800 pounds of cukes?" "Take them to the Chilliwack Market." stated the grocer. Mary found the market and sold out of cukes in three hours. She was hooked and sold at the Chilliwack market for many years. Mary and family sell at many markets in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
"I believe that selling at the market in my local community is important. I know that I can make more cash at the bigger city markets but that does not build my local economy, so I try to work with the local markets to diversify and hold their markets on different days so that I am able to participate along with some of the other vendors who go off to the city on the weekends."
Mary has served as director on many boards and as president on most of them at some time. Some include COABC, BCARA, Bio Dynamic Association, Chilliwack Farmers market, Mission Farmers Market, Artisan Farmers Markets, Canada Farmers' Markets, and school PACs.
It is exciting for Mary that two of her children have farms of their own, while one of her sons farms full time on the family farm. Her children who attend university all come home for their summer job "working on the farm and selling at various farmers markets".
Eat Local — visit your communities Farmers' Markets!
Vice-President: Bob Callioux
Email: kelownafarmersmarket@shaw.ca
Bob attended NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) for three years to graduate and receive a diploma as a certified chef. After graduation Bob started his own catering business named Calico Catering. He had the business for 15 years before selling it and moving to Kelowna.
Bob's first venture with the Kelowna Farmers' market was as a vendor selling willow furniture. The Downtown Kelowna Association asked Bob to run the market when the previous market manager quit. Bob managed the market in the downtown area for 2 years before the vendors and he discussed the need for a better location so that it could grow. With the help of a couple of vendors they moved the market to its present site in 1995.
The market in this location started with 4 vendors; it took three years for the market to be noticed and customers started to shop on a regular basis. He wore all the organizational hats: president, manager, secretary, etc. Bob did what was needed to get the market going; "I juggled 3 jobs until the new market organization was able to hire me as a part time manager."
He had determination and dedication to the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. There are approximately 120 registered season vendors and roughly 175 day vendors filling all the 165 stalls that are available on the site. "We get over 5000 people shopping in the height of the season, last year we added a Thursday evening market in downtown Kelowna."
Treasurer: Patrick Demers
Email: demers101@hotmail.com
Bio coming soon.
Secretary: Werner Hupfauer
Email: werner@airspeedwireless.ca
Werner Hupfauer lives near Sorrento in the Shuswap Lake Area. He has participated at the Sorrento Farmers' Market as a vendor and director since its beginning in 2000.
Werner is a BCAFM Director and head of the Human Resource Committee, entering his second year on the Board. "I would like to see that this Board of Directors find a source of revenue that would make it financially independent from existing sources such as government agencies etc."
Werner first came to Canada from Germany to work as a chef at the German Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. After the World's Fair he stayed in Canada and later married a young lady whom he met at Expo.
"To this day, I thoroughly enjoy cooking, wine making and traveling to places where the average tourist doesn't go."
Werner enjoys learning other languages and is always interested in meeting people from around the world.
Director: Tabitha McLoughlin
Email: gtmcl@shaw.ca
Tabitha McLoughlin has been the market manager of the Coquitlam Farmers' Market since April 2006. Prior to her involvement with the local food movement in Coquitlam she was a project manager in the event and conference management industry. Her organizational and communication skills have been an asset to the organization and have added to the scope and reach of the market. As manager of the Coquitlam Farmers' Market, Tabitha has been instrumental in creating several annual events that have rejuvenated vendor satisfaction and increased customer attendance. Tabitha continues to work with local businesses to build strategic partnerships to raise the awareness of eating local and supporting local agriculture in the community.
As a Director for the BCAFM, Tabitha brings a positive and energetic attitude towards the role and activities of the BCAFM in the province.
Director: Rachelle Leroux
Email: rachelle@zelaneyfarms.ca
Bio: coming soon.
Director: Cat Major
Email: catmajors@hotmail.com
Bio: coming soon.
Director: Denise Kostash
Email: denmk@shaw.ca
Denise Kostash has been Director & Entertainment Coordinator for Steveston Farmers' & Artisan Market since its conception in 2008, with the support of the Steveston Community Society. As a Sales & Marketing Manager in the Vancouver Hospitality Industry she looks forward to using these skills to assist with the BCAFM Conference Committee. As a new Director Denise brings enthusiasm, energy and a passion for people.
Director: Jon Bell
Email: bellj@dccnet.com
Bio: coming soon.