Power of Produce Week 8

Activity

This week, the kids will learn about the farming industry of B.C. through BINGO! Stop by the POP tent anytime between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to pick up a BINGO card and play this classic game with a POP club twist. This activity will take about 20 minutes.

Two Bite Club

Last week’s Two Bite tasting, peaches, had an 83% approval rating! We were happy to learn that so many kids like peaches almost as much as we do! The tasting this week will be beets. If you’re interested in exploring new recipes with this gorgeous vegetable, try this recipe for beet and buttermilk cold soup.

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Don’t forget to turn in your passport after you’ve recorded your activities so that you can receive your $3 token, which can be spent on any fruit or vegetable at the market.

The POP Club is a free children’s activity for kids ages 5-12 that runs every Sunday from 9-1. Stop by the POP tent anytime to participate. Newcomers are always welcome! Be sure to request a passport if you don’t already have one.

Sunday July 23

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Salmon BBQ last Sunday!  It was a great day of food and community! We’ve got lots of great markets and event still to come this summer!

Join us this summer for all the freshest produce, delicious baked goods, artisan crafts, and so much more! Be sure to stop by Island Time or This Little Piggy food trucks for breakfast or lunch and grab some coffee or iced tea at Biscotti Joe.

The POP Kids Club activity this week is Veggie BINGO. Test your knowledge of agriculture while having fun playing this classic game.  Sample some beets in the Two-Bite Club!

This week at the kids craft table we are making clothespin puppets. Use your imagination to create a fun face and see what kind of puppet show you can create!

We are happy to welcome Larry’s Brother as our musician this weekend! Enjoy a range of Acadian, country, and light rock as your shop the market.

Vendor List for Sunday, July 23

 

Getting to Know: Red Barn Plants & Produce

The Coquitlam Farmer’s Market is a food hub and draws in a great cross section of shoppers.

While Elke, Ken and their son Erik manage farms separated by distance, the desire to grow quality produce binds them like they were run next to each other. Ken and his wife have been growing plants since the 1970’s, first developing Rainforest Gardens, a retail and mail order perennial nursery. He says his sons desire to dive into the food side of farming is what has gotten them where they are today.

Erik started it all, taking over areas of our nursery and then moving to Cawston. Amazing to think we are now heading to 100% veggies and fruit production.

In the 2000’s their passion blossomed into Red Barn Plants & Produce growers of interesting vegetables, herbs, edible annuals and of course intriguing perennials. The family currently has one farm located in Maple Ridge and another situated in Cawston. Prior to his adult farming days, he grew up around plants, stemming from his mother’s love of growing produce.

My mother was a farm girl and she always seemed to have a packet of seed around for us.

Elke and Ken say their two farm locations are a large reason why they can grow a good selection of plants, fruits and vegetables. So as a food producer in British Columbia, why is it important to buy locally?

I am going to take the glass half full answer to this. Keeps money and employment local. Half empty answer; what if something goes wrong out there
in the big world?

Ken says the success of the buy local movement rides on the principle that farmers’ voices are heard and understood.

Farmers must be heard not just the food advocates.

He adds that the movement should stop trying to expand and “create a solid foundation.” While Ken points to the fact that sustainability means something different to everyone, one thing Red Barn Plants & Produce focuses on is quality products with a strong focus on community engagement.