Recently, our Market Van and its contents were stolen. The Market Van is a critical piece of our ability to host the Farmers Market each week; and all of the tents, tables, signs, and materials are key pieces of our equipment.  With the support of our contacts with other farmers markets, we have been able to temporarily cobble together the bare minimum items that we need to continue to host the markets. These borrowed items and use of a vehicle are a temporary fix until we can replace our van and contents stolen.

As a non-profit, our organization had saved for a few years to be able to purchase the van almost 10 years ago. While we were expecting to have to replace the van in the future, we were not expecting it so soon. Dealing with Covid 19 the past year and a half has had a negative impact on the financials of our organization between the reduced number of vendors permitted, additional staffing, and the extra supplies needed to provide a safe shopping venue for the community. Overall, it’s been a very challenging couple of seasons, and now we are faced with replacing our van and contents.

The stolen van was recovered but was so damaged that ICBC has written it off. The pay out will cover about one third of the cost to purchase a comparable vehicle. As our season is now in full swing, not having a market van and necessary equipment has meant we have been unable to facilitate market set up, our kids educational program, workshop series, demo lessons or provide seating areas for customers.

The past year and a half have been challenging due to Covid-19 and the many restrictions required to run the markets, but we did it! We feel honoured to have been deemed and essential food service provider and to have supported all of our farmers, food producers and community with a safe place to shop for local BC products. Now we need your support and help. Please consider donating to help us replace our stolen van and many items needed to operate our Coquitlam and Port Moody farmers market.

As one of the longest running farmers markets in Metro Vancouver (turning 25 next year!) Grow Local Society has been on the forefront of food security in the region. The Coquitlam and Port Moody Farmers Markets support over 150 local entrepreneurs, providing a venue for the community to access fresh produce, and locally produced prepared foods and artisan crafts.  The markets have participated in  the Nutrition Coupon program, a provincial food access program which provides $21/week to marginalized families with new or young children; as well as manage several community gardens and food security initiatives in the community.