Market Matters
May 2010 Vol.14
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Market Matters |
May 2010 Vol.14 |
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President's Report"Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field..." 
I am excited about the coming season! The BCAFM has developed the MarketSafe Program and our very first class was held at our March Conference in Penticton. The course was overbooked and all students were very impressed with the program. The BCAFM expresses their gratitude to the BC FoodSafe Secretariat for partnering with us to create not only a valuable program but one that is recognized. Currently, other provinces are contacting us for information and guidance. Just as FoodSafe is the “go to” document for the foodservice industry, it appears that MarketSafe will become the “go to” document for farmers markets and farm direct marketers. Many markets have successfully completed the Market Managers and Board Governance workshops. These workshops along with the upcoming MarketSafe workshops will provide you with the necessary tools and information to achieve higher standards of excellence and become leaders in your field. Improving your skill sets will allow you to better showcase your market and ultimately put more BC food on BC plates. It was an honour to have the Minister of Agriculture, Steve Thomson, attend our Conference and AGM in Penticton. On behalf of the BCAFM, I have attended many events attended by the Minister. He always acknowledges me and asks how the BCAFM is doing. We are on his radar and have his respect. I look forward to 2010 as a milestone year for providing our members with numerous networking opportunities and helping to build greater awareness of BC farmers markets as being the “face of farmers.” At the opening of your markets, please remember to recognize and honour your vendors and volunteers. Take time to send a thank-you card to the landlord that hosts your market. Send thank-you cards to businesses in your market area thanking them for being such good neighbours. This may seem silly but showing appreciation goes a long way to create partnerships and remove real or perceived barriers. In 2010 we have some exciting plans underway that will “honour farmers.” Without farmers there would be no farmers markets. I wish you all success this summer!!
Manager's Report
The BCAFM has taken a new step into an office in downtown Vancouver. We're located on the edge of the downtown eastside, the poorest neighbourhood in Canada. The area offers a constant reminder of the need for food security for the poorest Canadians. We expect to be notified soon regarding funding for the Coupon program for another season and we'll share this information with you just as soon as we hear. Introducing the 2010 Board of Directors
Left to right: (click image to enlarge)
A New Addition to our MandateAt the 2010 AGM in Penticton, members voted on an addition to the purpose of the BCAFM and it now reads: “To educate the public to choose healthy British Columbia grown agricultural products to ensure a secure food system, to reduce the carbon footprint and to ensure the viability of farming into the future”. The original mandate remains the same:
MarketSafe Training Now Available
MarketSafe is a food safety training program for farmers and producers, who make, bake or grow products to sell at local farmers' markets, farm gate or other temporary food markets. MarketSafe was developed by the BC FOODSAFE Secretariat in partnership with the BC Association of Farmers' Markets, and is supported by the Regional Health Authorities, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Certified instructors will soon be available to lead the first workshops. For a list of instructors and courses in your area, visit the BC Foodsafe Secretariat at www.foodsafe.ca/marketsafe. Currently, no instructors or courses are listed; however, by the time you read this article a few may be listed. Please check the site weekly for updates to organize a workshop for your vendors. Certified instructors require previous workshop delivery/ teaching skills and experience at a farmers' market, a college level microbiology course and the MarketSafe course. Environmental health officers with the Health Authorities and others who have these qualifications are encouraged to apply. The Health Authorities will certify MarketSafe instructors. The price of the manual is $15.00. Manuals will be ordered by the instructor and available for purchase at the course only. Manuals are not available from the BCAFM. Each course will have a maximum of 25 students. The cost of the course will vary by location and instructor. For course dates, please contact the BC FOODSAFE Secretariat at www.foodsafe.ca/marketsafe.
Market Manager and Board Governance Training Now AvailableAll markets are encouraged to host these workshops. The BCAFM will help you organize and market a workshop or you can organize and market it on your own. If you choose to organize it on your own, please contact the following: Market Manager Training: Dr Jenny Horn on Vancouver Island at 250.748.1107 or jennifer.horn@viu.ca “Advanced” Board Governance Workshop: Karen Fenske in Vernon at 250.306.1256 or krfenske@shaw.ca An Introduction to Board Governance with an emphasis on Conflict Resolution: Sara-Jane Brocklehurst on Vancouver Island at 250.247.7390 or sjbjoat@shaw.ca Order your manual for $15.00 from the BCAFM office at 604.734.9797. Vendor SupportersWe welcome those vendors who have become “Supporters of the BCAFM.” For a $100 fee vendors will benefit from cost-effective General Liability Insurance rate of $300. This insurance allows vendors to sell at markets and anywhere in Canada. Group extended health benefits are also available to all farmers' market staff, volunteers, board members and vendors. Farmers are eligible for the insurance if they show a certificate of insurance for their farm operation. Visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ind/vendor_associate_membership.htm. There is no deadline for joining the Association or purchasing insurance. Feel free to share this information with your vendors. Marketing Farmers Market on HelloBC.comGood news regarding the new and improved location of Farmer's Markets on the website, HelloBC.com. Previously, farmer's markets were listed on HelloBC.com under the Festivals and Events section in amongst the 900+ other Festivals and Events. Recognizing the importance and popularity of farmer's markets, Tourism BC has created a Farmer's Market sub-category under Festivals and Events. This will assist the consumer and ensure that the farmer's markets don't get lost in the mix! Visit: www.hellobc.com BCAFM has moved!Our new office address is Box 48 - 119 West Pender Street Suite 311, Vancouver, BC V6B 1S5 Elizabeth Quinn Home Grown Photography ContestEnter to win $500 worth of Vancouver Farmers' Market produce and products!The Home Grown Photography Contest is a part of FarmFolk/CityFolk's four month “Home Grown” exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver this fall. The photographs act as a springboard for an in-depth exploration of many critical issues related to sustainable farming and the exploding phenomena of urban food production. The winner's image is on display at the exhibition and also takes home their choice of $500 worth of Vancouver Farmers' Market produce and products. Home Grown Photography Contest site: Click here for information about rules and prizes. Georgia Stanley, BCAFM Administrative Coordinator |
 Market Managers: make sure to share this newsletter with your vendor community, boards and managers 
 Report on “Agriculture in the City”www.aginthecity.ca/burnabyFrom April 23–25, the BCAFM exhibited at the “Agriculture in the City” event at Metrotown in Burnaby. Elizabeth and Georgia enticed more than 200 people to explain in writing, what they appreciate about farmers. Our table was one of the busiest at the event. Along with COABC we distributed the green “Save on Foods” wrist bands that promote healthy eating and asked that the wrist bands be worn in honour of BC farmers who grow their food. This event was a great opportunity for the BCAFM to get the message out to the public that farmers markets are an excellent place for buying local fresh fruits and vegetables. In response to the question of Tell us why you appreciate BC farmers, we heard: “They help make food so we can eat. Without it we could lose food and get less healthy.” “I value farmers because they reconnect me with my food. I am a more connected consumer – to my food, to my neighbours, to the earth. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for valuing the work you do to provide us with good food! Thank you for helping me take good care of my body and my health. Thank you.” “They give you food. Thank you.” “Local food tastes best and keeps money in the community to support our neighbours. But mostly I just like the fresh tasty food!” “You farmers are the BEST!” Kali – age 10 Anecdotally, one woman said that by wearing the wrist band she will remember to buy at the Farmers' Market. Children announced that even if we buy from a grocery store Farmers grow our food. One little boy said “When my mom asks me what I want to eat I will show her my bracelet and tell her farm food.” I sat on the steering committee for the “Agriculture in the City” event and sourced the grand prize “Two nights at Tin Horn Vineyard”. In return, BCAFM was recognized as a partner on the cover of the “Agriculture in the City” passport. Mary Forstbauer “New Opportunities — New Partners” Conference, March 2010Key Message: Understand what your potential customers want and need.
Thank you to all of you who attended this year's conference and AGM. For those of you who couldn't come — we look forward to seeing you next year. This year we were very fortunate to host the Marketing Caravan, a traveling workshop series sponsored by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council. Here is just a taste of what we learned from Jolene Brown — a renowned professional speaker, farmer and marketing expert. Jolene Brown suggests that consumers today want 5 things: time, youth, health, safety and experience. Think about how you can offer your customers these five things with the products you already sell. I have listed some examples below. Time
Youth
Health
Safety
Experience
Georgia Stanley, BCAFM Administrative Coordinator
Key BCAFM Contacts:General Inquiries:Elizabeth Quinn Mary Forstbauer Georgia Stanley |
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