President's Report
Spring is almost here. The sun will shine; our seeds will be sown, our business plans are in place and we'll spring
into the new 2008 Farmers' Market season together. This is an exciting time of year as we prepare to attend farmers'
markets and satisfy the appetites of shoppers who are counting down the days until their market opens.
2008 will be a great year for BC Farmers' Markets across the Province. We have a lot to offer and be proud of. Last
year we piloted the Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program and I am happy to say that we will be expanding this program
in 2008.
The February AGM was a success. The sessions on Board Governance models, merchandising tips, BC150 funding
opportunities and the 2007 pilot Food & Nutrition Coupon program received very favourable ratings. The home-cooked
meals were tasty and healthy. Our Silent Auction had some special offerings with wines, food baskets, housewares and
more. We raised over $500.00!
Please mark November 2008 on your calendars for an upcoming general meeting of members and their vendors.
On behalf of the BCAFM Board, I'm proud to announce that we've got a lot on the go for the 2008 market season
including:
- Plans for BC150 feastivals are now beginning to be underway. BC150 provides some funding to help your market
create fun and memorable celebrations at the market! Call Sher if you need help.
- The Food and Nutrition Coupon Program will double in size in 2008!
- The BCAFM website will be overhauled and easier to navigate.
- We are working on our strategic plan:
- The soon to be hatched BCAFM Market Smart Program will provide market managers and vendors with a customized
market market food safety manual and course
- A manual on Board Governance for all Farmers' Market Board of Directors will be launched in late Fall 2008
- Farmers' Market Insurance details are posted at www.bcfarmersmarket.org
I'm excited to announce that the BCAFM is looking to hire an office assistant. As we grow more help is required to
serve your needs better. As we grow we invite you to grow with us. Take advantage of what YOUR Association has to offer
you.
Happy Selling!
Mary Forstbauer
President
(604) 794-3999
P.S. Please help us start the 2008 market season off with a "buzz" by copying this newsletter and sharing it
with your vendors.
2008 BCAFM AGM
The 2008 Annual General Meeting and conference were held in Abbotsford February 15 and 16 in conjunction with the
Pacific Agriculture Tradeshow.
Anna Kirbyson, program coordinator, Nutrition Coupon Program, giving year one wrap-up report Thank you to all who attended the AGM/Conference "Come Grow With Us", we had great evaluations. Approximately
15 Markets from around the province were represented at the two-day event, which featured many well received and timely
sessions.
The room was cool... ok cold on Friday morning but we all enjoyed great home cooked meals! The speakers were well
received and those who attended felt that they learned a lot about the association and about how to better govern their
own markets.
Highlights included a report on the Food Nutrition Coupon Program piloted at 5 markets last summer with tremendous
success and the announcement that we have been encouraged to apply for an expanded version for the 2008 outdoor season.
Sher Hackwell, provincial coordinator, BC 150 Program introducing the program to conference delegates Our provincial contract coordinator for the BC 150 Years Program, Sher Hackwell outlined the program and its intended
goals of celebrating the past and future of foods/markets and of encouraging markets to get more involved in their
communities. BC150 market banners were presented and those markets who had their 2008 membership paid.
The very entertaining keynote speaker Klaus Berger kept everyone's attention by weaving in his background in
AgriTourism with his love of Farmers' Markets in a presentation titled "Is Your Farmers' Market a People Market?".
The conference also featured several interactive sessions on the role of the BCAFM, our strategic plan and its
implications for individual markets, and engaging your community in your market.
Please think about attending our next conference. What would you like to see discussed? E-mail Mary Forstbauer at
info@bcfarmersmarket.org and let me know!
BC 150 YEARS Feastival
Hello everyone!
By now you should have received your BC150 Years Feastival Package. All of the documents are also on the BCAFM
website at www.bcfarmersmarket.org.
A reminder that you'll want to get your registration forms in soon as the deadline is fast approaching. Once you've
submitted your registration forms, you'll receive your Media Tool Kit CD Rom. It's loaded with information like how to
write a media release, sponsorship basics and poster/ad templates. You'll find these and more to assist you in promoting
a most successful Feastival event!
And, remember all fully paid full BCAFM members will receive a BC150 Years banner.
We have received some registration forms already and are excited by the positive response! If you need to brainstorm
Feastival ideas, feel free to contact me via email or telephone. In the meantime, please fax 604.737.0859 or email:
sher_h@telus.net your registration form to me.
Thanks all!
Sher Hackwell
BC150 Years Coordinator
Helping You Connect With BC Chefs!
You asked for it and we're delivering!
We are making some new changes to the Chef Friendly Farmers' Markets Program this year to assist participating markets
with the first step of the program — making contact with chefs! Although several markets have expressed interest in
making this valuable connection, many of you have reported that locating and contacting chefs in your local areas has been
too difficult or time consuming. In an effort to assist program participants, we have started to work with local chef and
restaurant associations throughout B.C. to increase awareness of the Chef Friendly Farmers' Market Program. Invitations
are being extended to chefs throughout BC and positive inquiries will be directed to local area farmers' market managers
within these communities.
Thank-you to Surrey, Comox, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Vancouver and Barriere Farmers' Markets for your
interest and continued commitment to this program — I look forward to an exciting and successful year.
The Chef Friendly Farmers' Market Program is a co-operative marketing initiative that facilitates business
relationships between BC farmers' markets, vendors and chefs. The program is helping to stimulate sales relationships
between participating vendors and chefs while also acting as a marketing vehicle to increase traffic and sales at
participating farmers' markets and restaurants. Any market can become a Chef Friendly Farmers' Market! To get involved,
or for more information, please contact Jaclyn Laic at jaclyn@dccnet.com.
It's Not Easy Being Green
How do you even begin to GREEN your farmers' market to achieve "zero waste"? It's not likely to happen
overnight but taking a few small steps at a time will move you in the right direction. Many of your shoppers will be
impressed by your intention and effort.
You may decide to do a waste audit of your market, including a survey of the vendors to find out what materials
they are using in their stalls and the amount of garbage being produced. Some obvious answers may appear from just
speaking to your vendors, as a group.
A few simple tips to help your market and vendors produce less waste are:
- Encourage vendors to ask customers if they need a bag.
- Have reusable and plastic bag drop off where customers can pick up bags and use at the market instead of using new ones.
Vendors can't suggest that customers use turned in bags, but customers can choose to do this on their own.
- Encourage customers to use their own reusable shopping bags.
- Encourage customers to bring their own containers, such as Tupperware, from home.
- Sell canvas bags or reusable poly bags that can be sold at each vendor booth.
- Find a supplier of compostable containers, cutlery, glasses, cups etc.
- Eliminate Styrofoam.
- Reduce the number of garbage receptacles at your market. Vendors will need to take waste off-site.
Evaluate your program as you go and make a few changes as required.
To receive a copy of "Greening the Farmers' Market" handout from the North American Farmers' Direct
Marketing Convention held in Wisconsin in February 2008, please contact Donna Anaka, BC Ministry of Agriculture
and Lands at donna.anaka@gov.bc.ca or 604-660-2945.
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