Market Matters
Fall 2009 Vol.11
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Market Matters |
Fall 2009 Vol.11 |
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President's Report"In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and
care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November." 
Wow. Another market season is moving into the great fall harvest. As we on our farm start harvesting pumpkins and winter squash one month earlier than most years we think about the summer that is fast coming to an end. In BC we have had a dry and hot summer. Weather like this causes everything to ripen quickly. We do indeed give thanks for the fruits of our labour as we harvest and preserve the crops of summer. BCAFM has been busy this summer as well. Working with our contractors to complete MarketSafe and Board Governance and Managers Manuals has been very rewarding. We are almost ready for delivery... so... in the next months please watch for workshops in your regions to move forward to making BC Markets the best in Canada. I am personally excited because BCAFM will be delivering a workshop at the Union of BC Municipalities Annual General Meeting. Our workshop will focus on Farmers' Markets being an important part of the community and how local government can embrace farmers' markets to ensure that the economic impact on the community is maximized. It has been great to work with such an active board of directors. Everyone has a role and we are working well as a team under the management of Elizabeth. Having someone who keeps everything running smoothly really helps me stay focused on being a leader and remembering to delegate rather than try to do it all myself. Thank you Elizabeth for your great work. BCAFM directors along with Elizabeth are working on a business and long-term sustainability plan. If you have any ideas for funding, sponsors or where we can find $ please contact myself or Elizabeth. Let's grow BCAFM for the benefit of all! Happy selling!
Manager's Report
Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) ConferenceThe Association will be hosting a panel discussion at the Union of BC Municipalities conference on October 2, 2009 titled "Farmers' Markets Grow Community" and will make recommendations on how to support a farmers market in their municipality. Mary Forstbauer will present an overview of the positive impacts farmers markets make in a community. Paul McDonell, City Councilor for Burnaby will present a supportive municipal view of farmers markets. Bill McKnight, business owner and co-manager of the Ladner Farmers' Market, will present the economic benefits of farmers markets to surrounding businesses. Jay Teichroeb, Manager of Economic Development for the city of Abbotsford will offer a municipal/economic impact perspective. Presenting to municipal governments has been part of our strategic plan since 2006. The recommendations are based on input from member markets and will be posted on our website in the Manager section. MediaThe Vancouver Sun, Times Colonist and Nanaimo radio, to name of few, regularly contact our office for story information about farmers markets ... another benefit of belonging to BCAFM. Elizabeth Quinn 2010 BCAFM Conference NewsBuilding on the success of last year, we are once again partnering with BC AgriTourism Alliance, and Small Scale Food Processor Association to bring you an innovative and exciting conference. At the start of our planning process, the organizing committee discussed the challenges facing us this year; primarily the current economic climate, the 2010 Olympics, and the diverse geographic locations of our members. To accommodate these factors we have decided to host two small conferences; in Penticton and Comox Valley. Planning is in progress for each of these locations, and full conference details will be available in October. Our hope is that by giving you a choice of dates and locations to attend, many of you will be able to participate in these great peer learning and sharing events. The BCAFM Annual General Meeting will be held at the conference in Penticton on March 13th, 2010. If you have any questions or suggestions on topics or speaker for these conferences please feel free to contact Tabitha at gtmcl@shaw.ca. Farmers' Market Nutrition & Coupon Project
Each season has its own flavour, an array of tastes that tickle the taste buds in seasonal delights. This is the time of year when I delight in tomatoes — in every shape, size and colour. Nothing beats popping a fresh cherry tomato in the mouth for an explosion of flavour, and nutrition too. Participants of the Farmers' Market Nutrition & Coupon Project around the province are also delighting in the wonders of tomatoes. Some are experiencing yellow, orange, green, black, pink, striped, big and small for the very first time. Many groups are exploring the endless possibilities with tomatoes, by holding workshops on salsa making, tomato canning, and beyond. 
Right: Klippers Organic Acres offers a wide array of Certified Organic tomatoes at the Main Street Market. Below: Tomato Fest!
A recent visit to the Main Street Farmers' Market in Vancouver was a tomato extravaganza — it was their Tomato Festival. A wide variety of tomatoes were available for sampling, along with information on the different varieties. Vendors decorated their stalls, and there was a festive feel in the air. 
Right: Steph Frolek, Market Manager & Jill Dalton, Market Assistant get in the spirit of Tomato Festival at the Main Street Farmers' Market This is the first year for the Main Street Market and the location is proving to work very well for the Vancouver participants of the FMNCP. It is located right at the hub of Strathcona, China Town, Downtown Eastside neighbouhood, South East False Creek, and is situated on major transit routes (skytrain & bus), making access all the easier for community members. While the 2009 season is still in full swing, we are looking forward to the 2010 season, and we want to hear from you. All BCAFM member markets will be receiving an invitation to submit an Expression of Interest for the 2010 season in the coming days. We hope to gain a sense of Markets interested in participating in the 2010 season, and to create a greater opportunity for Markets to plan and discuss internally. This will also help with our planning for the 2010 season. The 2010 application will be available to all Member Markets in the new year. 
Paula Luther |
 Market Managers: make sure to share this newsletter with your vendor community, boards and managers 
Board Governance & Market Manager Training UpdateFarmers' Markets Governance and Management Workshops Ready to Go!Are you a Director or Manager of a Farmers' Market? What sage pieces of wisdom could you provide others in your position? Have certain experiences helped shape your market to make it what it is today? Successes and challenges mark each market season. The success and ever continuing growth of Farmers' Markets depends on sound governance and management. Has your Board of Governance considered strategic planning / encountered liability issues / strategizes about long term development? As market manager, how do you address pricing strategies / respond to dissatisfied customers / create a balanced mix of food and artisan vendors? Professional development is key to growth and improvement for markets of all sizes. Through the BC Association of Farmers' Markets, Sara-Jane Brocklehurst and Jenny Horn from Vancouver Island University have developed training manuals and workshops for Farmers' Markets Boards of Governance and for Market Managers. The workshops expand on the contents of the manuals, and hosting them will provide the opportunity to come together and learn from each others' experiences, and may help your market to resolve issues or explore possibilities for developing your unique situation. Initially, two workshops will be delivered on Vancouver Island and on the lower mainland, sometime in October. At that point, we will gather further input into the training manuals and fine-tune the workshop formats. Once the manuals are finalized, the workshops will be delivered in each of the remaining health regions of the province over the winter months. Looking forward to sharing information and ideas with you!! Sara-Jane Brocklehurst & Jenny Horn
Emergency Response at Farmers MarketsIs your market prepared for an emergency? What if a customer or vendor experiences a heart attack or a child goes missing? What would you do? Be prepared. Visit www.bcfirstaid.ca for more information. BC Consumer Confidence in FarmersThe study conducted by Ipsos Reid Public Affairs of Vancouver found:
Shoppers Want More!According to a national study released by Farmers' Markets Canada in February 2009, the most popular suggestions for improving a farmers market were:
Looking for Suppliers?Visit our Suppliers page for a list of suppliers of products to farmers' markets. We've recently welcomed Libra Scales as an official supplier to BC farmers markets. Key BCAFM Contacts:General Inquiries:Elizabeth Quinn Mary Forstbauer Nutrition and Coupon Program Enquiries:Paula Luther, RHN |
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