Eating the Rainbow

Why is it important to eat fruit and vegetables in a variety of colours?

Each colour is caused by specific phytonutrients, and each colour indicates specific nutrients that are beneficial to your body. Our bodies benefit from variety; eating the rainbow ensures that you get the complete range of minerals and vitamins that your body needs for healthy functioning.

Below are some examples of foods to try when eating the rainbow at home:

Red: red peppers, apples, tomatoes

Orange and Yellow: carrots, peaches, corn

Green: kale, swiss chard, zucchini

Blue and Purple: blueberries, eggplant, plums

White and Brown: cauliflower, mushrooms, parsnip

Having a variety of colour in your meals promotes the healthy functioning of your children’s bodies and encourages nutritious eating habits. Encouraging your children to eat the rainbow helps make nutritious eating fun!

On Sunday June 2 our POP Club kids will learn about the importance of eating the rainbow, learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Vendor Spotlight: Food on the Grow

When did you decide to start growing micro greens? What was your inspiration?

The genesis of Food on the Grow came as a result of an unfortunate accident. Dawn-Marie (one of our business partners) suffered a debilitating concussion at work a few years back and was not able to be very active for several months. She and her husband Dan decided to grow microgreens mainly for their amazing health benefits, but also to give Dawn-Marie a hobby that was relaxing while still being productive. Growing a microgreen garden can be very therapeutic.

As Dawn-Marie was healing they discovered that a lot of other people knew about the benefits of MicroGreens and wanted a good source for themselves. Dan is very business minded and crunched the numbers to see what they could come up with. Presto, a business was born and they started selling at their local farmer’s market. One thing led to another and before they knew it they had a full blown MicroGreens and hydroponic herb growing business in their small town, selling to many restaurants and grocery stores. They had a very successful, exciting year and made the decision to sell the business to nearby trusted farmers in order to travel and see more of the world.

Meanwhile, Dawn-Marie’s parents in Coquitlam were becoming very enthusiastic about Microgreens and hydroponics and asked if there was a way that the 4 of them could collaborate – while still allowing the kids the freedom to travel. Presto, a re-genesis – if you will. Dan and Dawn-Marie have shared their knowledge, helped build the growing systems and work remotely while Melody and Chris (ie. Mom and Dad) are taking care of the day to day growing and selling. Everyone brings something very unique to the table to create a fantastic team and family business. THAT is how Food On The Grow came about.

We now operate out of a farm in Pitt Meadows with a holistic, organic approach. Though we do use some technology to achieve amazing results for flavour and nutrition, we insist on using only NON GMO, organic seeds and growing mediums. We always look for ways to produce and deliver the freshest and highest quality product. For example, most of our FOTG MicroGreens are available LIVE. This gives You the opportunity to actually be the farmer and harvest as you need it for the freshest food possible.

Where do you grow your micro greens? What are some of the greatest challenges?

As mentioned above we grow the MicroGreens on a farm in Pitt Meadows. Even though it’s a real farm, we grow all the Microgreens indoors in a climate controlled building with hydroponic flood tables and LED lights. This is because it is a year round operation so it wouldn’t be realistic to grow MicroGreens outside with so many unpredictable variables.

The biggest challenge so far has been sorting out our planting and growing schedule. We discovered that our FOTG greens were exceptionally happy in the special indoor environment and are growing even faster than expected. We’ve adjusted the timing and have a pretty good system going now.

What is your favourite way of enjoying your product? Do you have a favourite kind?

Hmm, that’s a great question. We love mixing MicroGreens in almost all of our foods so it’s hard to pick a favourite but definitely as a topping on any salads, sandwiches, meats or pasta. We also like to dehydrate any leftover MicroGreens and blend them into a powder, then sprinkle them on eggs, chicken or other meats – just like a spice – or add to morning smoothies for a nutrient boost.

The pea shoots might be our favourite overall, but radish is a close second simply because it is so flavourful – try sprinkling some on your pizza for a little extra zing. It’s also one of the most nutritious MicroGreens. And of course the broccoli is so yummy and has such amazing health benefits. Oh, and can’t forget the Sunnies (sunflower shoots) with their rich nutty taste.

Why is supporting local important to you?

Because you get to meet the farmer and look them in the eye. You can tell a lot more by body language and tone of voice than you can from reading product packaging written by professional copywriters and their lawyers. Supporting local growers goes beyond keeping your dollars circulating closer to home, it supports families who you can interact with, rather than faceless corporations. We believe that supporting local is good for the whole country, not just the area that we personally live in. Any chance we have to deal with a friend, neighbour or small business, we will do it!

What do you like the most about selling at farmers markets?

Oh that’s easy. It’s FUN!
We just love the interaction with our customers and the other vendors. It’s a real friendly atmosphere with live music, amazing food carts (and smells), the freshest produce and meat you can find anywhere. We always buy several products from other vendors just because it’s food that we would normally buy at the store anyway, but here it’s fresh and much more wholesome.

Summer POP Club – Week 5

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!
June 2 – Week 5: This week in the POP tent we will be making healthy salads. Learn different food preparation techniques by preparing your own salad with ingredients found in the market. Stop by the tent to sign in (or register), don’t forget to participate in the 2 Bite Club and complete your passport to get your $3 token, redeemable on any fruits and vegetables in the market.
2 Bite Club: Salad
The POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.
Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Sunday, June 2

June is here, and more and more fantastic summer produce is showing up every week at the Market! Visit us every week to get the very best of local as soon as it is in season!

Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare will be serving up vegan meals in the food truck area, and Kara’s Crepes is back at the market with her sweet and savoury crepes.  Be sure to stop by Brewnetti Cafe and Rocky Point Ice Cream truck, too!

We’re excited for the first session of Yoga at the Market happening this Sunday! $5 will get you a one hour yoga class followed by cold pressed juice sampling at Nature Pressed Juicery at the market. Class starts at 10am – bring your own mat!!

Be sure to stop by our community group space this week to visit with local organizations and find out more about what they do, and how you can get involved.  We’re happy to welcome Coquitlam Munch, The Women’s Collaborative Hub, and the City of Coquitlam Universal AccessAbility Advisory Committee to market this weekend.

We’re making pipe cleaner and bead bubble wands at the Kids Craft Table! We’ll have lots of suds for kids to try them out, too!

Musician, Corey Primus, will be in the music tent this Sunday. Get a sneak peek of his music HERE, and catch him live on Sunday.

Vendors attending market this Sunday June 2 – please note this list is subject to change.
  • A Bread Affair
  • Ace Curries To Go / Vick & Jas’s Kitchen
  • Amazing FoodBC
  • Anderson Distilleries
  • Aslan Organics
  • Bannock Queen
  • Boneheads Kitchen
  • Brewnetti Cafe
  • Ca Croustille Bakery
  • Central Park Farms
  • Christina’s Garden
  • Crisp Organics
  • Culture Kefir Co.
  • Delish Gluten Free Bakery
  • Drunken Chocolatier
  • Einai Designs
  • Food On The Grow
  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
  • fresh-N Home Products
  • Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies
  • Garys Kettle Corn
  • Gesundheit Bakery
  • Golden Ears Cheesecrafters
  • Gooba Bakes
  • Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare
  • John Spice
  • Kara’s Crepes
  • Kics Gourmet Products
  • Maan Farms Estate Winery
  • Mandair Farms
  • Mariner Brewing
  • Mario Teixeira Registered Shiatsu Therapist
  • Mediterra Soaps
  • Mountain Naturals Soap
  • Nature Pressed Juicery
  • Never Say Die Nursery
  • Oyster & King
  • Pebblestone Publishing
  • Redl’s Home Grown Beef
  • Rockweld Farm
  • Rocky Point Ice Cream
  • Royal City Donuts
  • S & S Nursery
  • Sajiva Kombucha
  • Simply Delish Aritsan Enterprises
  • Solasta Chocolate
  • Stephanie’s Kitchen
  • Sweet Thea
  • Synergy of Nature Aromatherapy & Herbals
  • Tesfa Farms
  • The Jerk Store
  • The Raw Guy
  • Vlad’s Apiary
  • Wah Fung Farm
  • Warmerdam Flowers
  • West Coast Fence Art
  • WestCoast Cider Co.
  • Westwood Total Health

 

Engaging the Five Senses

Why engage the five senses?

Your child’s development is shaped through experiences that they have, which include using their five senses (hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste). Drawing from the five senses and discussing them with children increases their understanding of and communication with everything around us. Here are some activities to engage the senses…

Hearing: Go on a hike – take a walk and ask your child to notice what sounds they are hearing, are they loud? quiet? high pitch? can they guess where the sound is coming from?

Sight: Play “I Spy” – While doing everyday activities play “I Spy” with your child about things they see around them

Touch: Use a box and a pair of socks – put an object inside of a box and then have your child put socks over their hands and have them feel the object and try to guess what is inside. Is it soft? hard? spikey?

Smell: Blindfolded smell test – blindfold your child and place familiar scents under their nose. What does it smell like? does it remind you of something?

Taste: Blindfolded taste test – blindfold your child and have them taste different foods. Is it sweet? salty? fruity?

On Sunday May 26 our POP Club kids will be using their sense of touch to try and guess which vegetables they are feeling, learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Summer POP Club – Week 4

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!
May 26th – Week 4: This week in the POP tent we will be doing a Mystery Vegetable activity. Try to identify vegetables using only your hands, if you are unsure then bring your drawing out into the market and try to identify it! Stop by the tent to sign in (or register), don’t forget to participate in the 2 Bite Club and complete your passport to get your $3 token, redeemable on any fruits and vegetables in the market.
2 Bite Club: Parsnip
The POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.
Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Making the Switch to Reusable Bags

Five reasons to switch to reusable bags:

  1. Plastic bags don’t biodegrade and can take between 15 – 1000 years to break down into small particles
  2. Millions of birds and sea animals die each year from ingesting plastics
  3. Plastic bags pollute the water and coastlines
  4. Paper bag production (like plastic bags) requires high temperatures and chemicals which releases toxins into the atmosphere
  5. Incentive – many stores now charge a fee for plastic bags. Bringing your own reusable bags will save you money

Have plastic bags you don’t know what to do with? Try some of these DIY projects to repurpose and reuse them:

  1. Braid plastic bags into a jump rope
  2.  Weave baskets from old plastic bags
  3. Make friendship bracelets with plastic bags

On Sunday May 19 our POP Club kids will be repurposing old t-shirts and making them into market shopping bags, learn more about the POP Club here and visit us at the market to register.

The POP Club is a farmer’s market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.

Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Vendor Spotlight: Hoochy ‘Booch Kombucha

When did you begin making Kombucha? What was your inspiration?

I started brewing Kombucha in our home back in 2013. I had really poor digestive issues that no doctor could figure out. Frustrated, I took it upon myself to figure out what it was my body needed to feel whole and healthy. I changed my diet & lifestyle, but it was consuming Kombucha that was the real catalyst towards my healing.

What is the most important thing you would like people to know about your product?

We are what we like to call “glorified homebrewers”. Since Kristin has to drink kombucha for health reasons it is of utmost importance that the quality of our product remain top notch and low sugar. Hoochy ‘Booch is one of few Kombucha companies that doesn’t use any fruit juice or concentrates to make our flavours. All of our flavours come from organic teas, herbs & botanicals.

How do you create your flavour varieties?

This may sound a little “woo woo” but I create all of our flavours through inspired thoughts. Whether it be a mood, a smell or something I’ve seen, my mind is always thinking about the next flavour. As mentioned, all of our flavours come from organic teas & herbs which in my opinion, allow our flavours to be more diverse and complex.

What is the most popular, and what would you suggest for someone trying kombucha for the first time?

Currently our most popular flavours are:
Hibiscus Ginger – we call this the “gateway to ginger”, as its not too gingery and perfectly floral
Blue Valentine – reminiscent of a blue-raspberry slurpee, this Kombucha is bright blue as we add Blue Majik (a blue-green algae)
Lady Grey – it’s hard to find an earl grey kombucha out there and this flavour has a bit of a cult-following. We call it our dessert kombucha because of the vanilla notes and how delicious it is to make a float with.

We think choosing a flavour for a first timer is still pretty personal. We typically ask folks if they like ginger or fruit, sweeter or sour profiles. This helps us pick a flavour best suited for them.

Why is supporting local important to you?

Supporting local is the backbone to our company. Hoochy ‘Booch is currently only available in local retail shops, no big box retailers. We find this so important and close to our heart because it not only allows us to better know our retailers & customers, it also supports the local economy, keeps our product top-quality and creates a direct impact on our lives & the lives of others who are local producers/farmers etc.

What do you like the most about selling at farmers markets?

We LOVE seeing our customers come back excited to refill their growlers! We hear stories about how their tummies are feeling better and also see their pride about doing something good for the environment by reusing their bottles. Also, the vibe at the markets is super friendly & fun.

Summer POP Club – Week 3

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!
May 19th – Week 3: This week in the POP tent we will be repurposing old t-shirts into no-sew market bags! Remember to bring an old t-shirt with you to the market and stop by the tent to sign in (or register) and get started. Afterward, don’t forget to participate in the 2 Bite Club and complete your passport to get your $3 token, redeemable on any fruits and vegetables in the market.
2 Bite Club: Rhubarb
The POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Children (ages 5 – 12 years old) will learn about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities all season long.
Each week children will earn a $3 market token to use towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Sunday, May 19

It’s the long weekend! We’re open and stocked with your long weekend needs! Visit our amazing vendors this Sunday, 9am-1pm in the Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot!

We’re starting off our summer season with a month of Member-Only specials! Now is the best time to purchase or renew your market membership to receive Member-Only specials every Sunday in May! Not a member? You can sign up HERE.

Member Specials for Sunday, May 19
Bannock Queen: 2 free fritters, Apple and/or Cinnamon Sugar
Bowen Island Herb Salts: 10% off
Culture Kefir Co: 10% off
Einai Designs: 10% off
Garys Kettle Corn: $1 off large bags of kettle corn
Gesundheit Bakery: Save $1 off a purchase of $5 or more
Ildiko Jewelry: $5 off any two pairs of earrings
Oh Sweet Day: Buy 5 mini cheesecakes get 1 free
PoCo Soap Co: Save $2 on individual bars of soap and $5 off of Hair Wax
Scentimental Creations: Spend $50 or more and receive a gift pack of guest soaps (Value of $12.95)
Sweet Thea: 10% off

Looking for a meal at the market? Stop by Gypsy Trunk Gourmet Fare for some delicious vegan offerings.  Don’t forget to grab your Sunday coffee from KICS Coffee Service and some ice cream at the Rocky Point Ice Cream truck!

We’re making paper roll octopuses at the Kids Craft Table this weekend.  Stop by to design a multi-legged friend to take home!

Canadian Blood Services will be in our Community Group space this Sunday. Visit their table to learn more about this great organization. Also, visit the Coquitlam Munch tent to plant a sunflower seed and learn more about this Austin Heights attraction.

We’ve got a real treat in our music tent this weekend! Musicians from the Coquitlam Youth Orchestra will be sharing their talents and filling the market with beautiful music!