Winter POP Club – Week 9

January 5 – Week 9: This week our POP kids will be participating in an activity called seeds and magnifying glass. They will use a magnifying glass and take a close look at different types of seeds and try to match them to the correct pictures. This teaches them how to identify differences such as if it bumpy or smooth, big or small, etc. Afterwards, they will draw pictures of the seeds they matched with the photos.

2-Bite Club: Blueberry

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!

Last Sunday, the POP kids participated in a cooking demo making carrot coleslaw! Cooking with kids teaches them life long valuable skills. They engaged in grating carrots, making sauce and then got to enjoy the food that they made! If you haven’t yet registered, come down to the POP tent this Sunday and join the club! We’ll be doing fun activities for the kids every week 🙂

So, how does the POP Club work?

Well, the POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Each week children (ages 5-12 years old) will participate in fun and educational activities that will teach them about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation. After that, they will be trying the 2-Bite of the week which will be a fruit or vegetable that’s in season and can be found at the market. As they try the 2-Bite we will share with them interesting facts about what they are eating. Once they finish the activity and try the 2-Bite, children receive a $3 market token that can be used towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. They can either use their token right then or save them for bigger purchases. This teaches kids how to make healthier food choices and how to manage their money.

There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Hope to see you this Sunday!

 

Now Hiring: Farmers Market Manager
For a detailed description and application information, please click here.

 

December 29 – Closed!

There will be no market on Sunday, December 29th. The market will open again in the new year on Sunday, January 5th.

Thank you to everyone to has supported us this year! We are wishing you all the best this holiday season.

See you again soon!

 

Now Hiring: Farmers Market Manager
For a detailed description and application information, please click here.

7 Interesting Facts About Carrots + Recipe

This Sunday at the Power of Produce Club, children will be participating in a cooking demo to make carrot coleslaw! Teaching children at a young age how to cook is a valuable skill that they will take with them throughout their life. Sometimes it can be hard for kids to eat their vegetables, so having them get hands on and create something of their own is a great way to get them to try new foods. Kids are more likely to try something they made themselves especially when they are having fun doing so!

Here are some interesting facts about carrots:

  1. You can leave them in the ground all winter. You can either keep carrots over the winter and harvest in the spring or harvest continuously throughout the winter.
  2. Carrots were first grown in Afghanistan.
  3. Carrots are made up of 88% water.
  4. Carrots come in many different colours.
  5. Cooking carrots is better than eating them raw because it releases hidden pockets of beta carotene which is very good for you.
  6. Carrots contain the richest source of beta-carotene.
  7. Carrots have seeds.

Here’s the recipe that we’ll be trying out:

Carrot Coleslaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parley
  • 2 finely sliced scallions

Dressing Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • ÂĽ teaspoon salt
  • ÂĽ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. First make your dressing by combining ingredients above in a bowl and mix well to emulsify. You can make this dressing as sweet or tart as your heart desires! All you have to do is adjust the honey, salt and pepper to taste.
  2. In a large bowl, combine carrots, parsley and scallions. Pour about 1/3 of the dressing over the salad. Toss to coat and add extra dressing, to taste.

Come join us this Sunday at the Port Moody Market so the POP kids can come and try making this recipe!

Hope to see you there!

If you haven’t yet registered for the program this season, make sure you visit the POP tent to get started!

Learn more about the program here: POP Kids Club

Now Hiring: Farmers Market Manager

Job Posting: Farmers Market Manager

Grow Local Society – TriCities (GLS) invites applications for the Farmers Market Manager position. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Market Manager is responsible for the smooth operation and promotion of our weekly, outdoor Farmers Markets.

About Grow Local Society:

Grow Local Society (GLS) is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization. We operate Farmers Markets, Community Gardens, and food security projects in the Tri-City region. Our beginnings are rooted in a community economic development project initiated by SFU students in 1996, resulting in one of the longest running suburban Farmers Markets in the Lower Mainland.

Position Responsibilities

The Farmers Market Manager responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following areas:

  • Marketing and communications;
  • Vendor management and relationship building;
  • Community leadership and engagement;
  • Leadership and HR;
  • Strategic planning;
  • Program development and management.

Qualifications and Competencies

  • Strong people management skills, including recruiting and retaining a diverse group of vendors
  • Significant marketing/branding, and financial management experience;
  • Experience working with small businesses is an asset;
  • Astute leadership skills;
  • Ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and contribute to organizational strategic direction;
  • Excellent relationship building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders,
  • Strong analytic, organization, and problem-solving skills, which support and enable sound decision making;
  • Ability to cultivate a strong and cohesive culture across the organization;
  • Strong conflict management skills, and ability to negotiate persuasively and achieve
  • consensus amongst differing opinions; and
  • Outstanding presentation and communication skills with the ability to be an outgoing
  • spokesperson, and relationship builder; and
  • Collaborating, mentoring and empowering staff.

Role Overview

The Farmers Market Manager is a dynamic and versatile role. It is a key role in the organization managing farmers markets, creating a fun and engaging work environment, engaging the community, and contributing to the growth and direction of the Society. It requires a variety of diverse skills to manage the various aspects of the position.

On Market Day:

  • Manages Winter Markets – November – April attends Sunday markets (8am – 3pm)
  • Manages Annual Christmas Market – second Saturday in December (7am – 5pm)
  • Manages Summer Markets – May – October attends weekly Sunday markets (7am – 2pm)
  • Facilitates the set up of the Market including: determining tent layout, assembling tents, tables, banners, and other Market day materials
  • Manages vendors: directing vendors to their locations, collect fees, market currencies, and handle vendor queries
  • Assists Assistant Market Manager to oversee staff and volunteers, community group participants, and entertainers
  • Provides Market information to shoppers and vendors; and positively handles concerns and queries
  • Positively represents the Coquitlam Farmers Market Society to the community.

Beyond Market Day

  • Vendor Management: manage vendor relationships, create and maintain vendor schedule, create monthly newsletter, answer queries, recruit new vendors
  • Marketing and communications: create and implement plan to promote farmers market
    • Creates monthly newsletter, distribute press releases, create content and manage social media presence
    • Creates general, event and promotional materials
    • Maintains website – blog posts, social media promotions, vendor profiles, events and workshops
  • Program Management: implements and manages programs operating through the market
  • Attend monthly board meetings
  • Responds to general inquiries, through phone, email, and social media
  • Represents the CFMS at community events in the Tri-Cities
  • Works from home office

We are looking for someone who:

  • Enjoys working in a fast paced environment, has a passion for local food, and enjoys being outside in all weather conditions
  • Is a people person with excellent management abilities and enjoys talking and engaging with others
  • Has strong marketing skills with significant experience in social media and cause marketing campaigns
  • Has an interest and/or experience in community economic development and is familiar with the not-for- profit sector
  • Is self directed, reliable, responsible, and works collaboratively as part of a team
  • Can handle conflict situations with sensitivity
  • Can manage others and delegate tasks appropriately
  • Has excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Has regular access to a computer, printer, and email
  • Is computer literate, with good working knowledge of basic software applications (Word, Excel)
  • Graphic design and knowledge of design software an asset
  • Can lift up to 10 kg of equipment
  • Has a valid BC drivers license, and access to a reliable vehicle to bring market day items to market, and to use when posting signage with the surrounding community
  • Familiarity with the Tri-Cities area an asset

Term of Contract:

  • 35 hours per week
  • $33,670 – $45,500 annual salary

Please forward a cover letter and resume, describing how your background/experience meets the above criteria by email to info@makebakegrow.com

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

December 22

Sunday, December 22nd is the last market before Christmas. Come and get all your last-minute gifts. Our vendors have some great products that would make unique gifts this holiday season. Stock up on fresh local produce, as this is our last market before the new year!
Enjoy live music by Pernell.

Member’s Specials:

  • A Bread Affair: $2 off our Marquis Batard
  • Back To Roots Kitchen: 10% off everything – 6 and 12 packs of bites, and 6 packs of cookies
  • Biscotti Joe: $2 coffee & $3 hot chocolate
  • Cocoaro Craft Chocolate: A free square of chocolate with purchase
  • Einai Designs: 10% off entire purchase
  • Happi Dani: $2 off with the purchase of 2 full sized 40g bags
  • Ildiko Jewelry: 10% off
  • Kanadell Japanese Bakery: $1 off bears
  • Kejoma Skin Care: Free lip balm with purchases over $15
  • Kizzy’s Macarons:Bbuy 5 or more and get 1 free
  • Oh Sweet Day: Buy 5 mini cheesecakes get 1 free
  • Oomph Bagelerie: 10% off
  • Plantveda Foods: 20% off on purchases above $30
  • Pureland Greenhouse: Discount on the medium package
  • Sweet Thea: 10% off
  • The Local Farm: $1 off your total microgreen purchase
  • WestCoast Cider Co: Buy 2 650ml get $2.00 off
Vendors attending market this Sunday December 22    *please note this list is subject to change
  • A Bread Affair
  • Amazing FoodBC
  • Arnalia Pristine Beauty
  • Art Cards by Valerie
  • Back To Roots Kitchen
  • Biscotti Joe
  • Ca Croustille Bakery
  • Central Park Farms
  • Cocoaro Craft Chocolate
  • Coquitlam River Cannery
  • Divine East
  • Drunken Chocolatier
  • Einai Designs
  • Ela Made Me Do It
  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
  • Gyro 2 Go
  • Happi Dani
  • Ildiko Jewelry
  • Immigrant Link Centre Society
  • Kanadell Japanese Bakery
  • Kara’s Crepes
  • Kejoma Skin Care
  • Kics Gourmet Products
  • Kimi Designs
  • Kizzy’s Macarons
  • Mariner Brewing
  • Oh Sweet Day!
  • Oomph Bagelerie
  • PlantBase Food and Specialties
  • Plantveda Foods Ltd
  • PoCo Soap Co
  • Pureland Greenhouse
  • Rockweld Farm
  • Royal City Donuts
  • Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse
  • Squish Juicery
  • Sweet Thea Bakery
  • Tesfa Farms
  • The Local Farm
  • WestCoast Cider Co.
  • Whey Fresco

Winter POP Club – Week 8

December 22 – Week 8: This week our POP kids will be participating in a cooking demo making carrot coleslaw! Kids will learn how to grate carrots, make the sauce and then enjoy their creations! They will learn valuable skills that will help them understand the importance of how cooking their own food is and how much more delicious it is when you do!

2-Bite Club: Carrots

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!

Last Sunday, the POP kids played the farmers market version of BINGO! They each had a different shape to make their bingo and went out into the market to find certain items and ask certain questions to get the answers. This taught them more about the market and what we have to offer. If you haven’t yet registered, come down to the POP tent this Sunday and join the club! We’ll be doing fun activities for the kids every week 🙂

So, how does the POP Club work?

Well, the POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Each week children (ages 5-12 years old) will participate in fun and educational activities that will teach them about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation. After that, they will be trying the 2-Bite of the week which will be a fruit or vegetable that’s in season and can be found at the market. As they try the 2-Bite we will share with them interesting facts about what they are eating. Once they finish the activity and try the 2-Bite, children receive a $3 market token that can be used towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. They can either use their token right then or save them for bigger purchases. This teaches kids how to make healthier food choices and how to manage their money.

There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Hope to see you this Sunday!

Top 4 Benefits of Farmers Markets

Why are farmers markets so important? Well, the benefits of them are huge! They not only benefit our lives, but they also benefit the environment and the economy. Farmers markets bring fresh, local produce straight from farmers to consumers. There is less transport, less handling, less refrigeration and less storage which means the food is fresher and doesn’t lose its nutritional value. And, the farmers retain the profits. Supporting your local farmers is always a good thing! The Port Moody Farmers Market is filled with locally sourced foods and handmade wares; you can meet makers, bakers, and growers who bring their goods straight from their workshops and fields to the market every Sunday. It is beneficial to explore the market and see everything that it has to offer; meet the vendors, enjoy local artists at the music tent, meet different community groups, and enjoy doing the different kids activities offered with your children.

Here are the top 4 benefits of why you should shop at your local farmers market:

  1. Stimulates Local Economies
    • Farmers get fair pay when you purchase directly from them.
    • The money spent at farmers markets goes right back into the community at other local businesses.
    • It creates more local jobs.
    • Buying locally supports local agriculture and supports the local economy.
  2. Preserves Farmland and Rural Livelihoods
    • More land is preserved for growing food and not just becoming development sites.
    • Farmers markets allow small and new farms to gain financial security as they build their businesses.
    • The winter markets help to create year-round income for farmers.
    • Enjoy food and goods that are sourced nearby, which benefits the environment by reducing the usage of fossil fuels.
  3. Increases Access to Fresh Food
    • Since the food is not travelling from country to country, it is fresher and healthier.
    • Studies show that farmers market produce is actually cheaper or comparable to supermarkets.
    • Markets create more access to organic foods.
    • See an array of fruits and vegetables that most grocery stores don’t carry, along with locally sourced honey, handmade sauces, and handmade giftware.
    • Learn what is in season as you explore the market, eat fresh and delicious produce, and know where your food is coming from.
  4. Supports Healthy Communities
    • People make healthier food choices when shopping at farmers markets as compared to supermarkets.
    • The market is a great place for farmers to communicate and educate shoppers about healthy produce.
    • Meet the farmers that grow your food; ask them about their farm, their farming practices, and any questions you may have about their produce.
    • Kids make healthier eating choices by participating in programs like the POP Club!
    • It’s an amazing environment to be more social and get to know the people in your community.

So, those are the benefits and reasons why you should continue supporting your local farmers market! This Sunday at the POP tent, kids will be learning a lot more about our market. They will be playing a farmers market version of BINGO where they will get to explore the market and learn more about what’s going on at the market!

Hope to see you there!

If you haven’t yet registered for the program this season, make sure you visit the POP tent to get started!

Learn more about the program here: POP Kids Club

Vendor Spotlight: Forstbauer Farms

Blueberries, carrots, and beets OH MY! Forstbauer Natural Food Farms is only about certified organic foods, and those who shop with them get to take advantage of all the benefits. A family business which has grown locally since 1977, you must read about their story here.

Q. You have a family farm and have raised 12 children there. How is it running a family business?
Since 1977 in matsqui ~ we moved to Chilliwack in 1989

Q. What is the main produce that you grow?
All certified organic and certified demeter (bio-dynamic) blueberries, zucchini, beans, carrots, beets, pickling cukes and many other great vegetables

Q. Your family is a pioneer in organic farming. Why did you decided this was important 30 years ago?
Hans was raised on a bio-dynamic farm. We had children and did not want to expose them to the chemicals .

Q. For someone who doesn’t understand, what does it mean when they buy and eat produce that is organic certified?
Food grown on an organic certified farm is grown using cultural, biological and mechanical practices that promote ecological balance and biodiversity.  Synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed.  Our farms and bookkeeping is checked regularly to ensure we are following the standards.  The certification bodies are audited regularly to ensure that they have all the checks and balances in place

Q. For someone who has bought and tried your produce, why does it taste so much better than what is bought in grocery stores?
It is local and fresh.  We also grow bio dynamically which is more strict than organic.  Using chemicals on/in our soil can cause less sugar to be available to the plants.

Q. Why do you think farmers markets are important in the community?
For centuries  people have gathered together to share food.  At farmers markets people build community and meet their neighbours.  In today’s world many people do not have gardens and their only connection to food is a grocery store.  At farmers markets people learn that farmers are real people just like them.  They have families and the same challenges as every one else

Q. What is your most popular produce? What do customers ask for the most?
Our carrots.  They are super sweet ~~ after a school farm tour i often receive calls from parents to see if our farm is the one that has the candy cane sweet carrots.  Also our northland blueberries.

Q. How do you see organic farming changing and growing in the future?
Every year there are more young people wanting to reconnect with farming. I see the younger generations moving back to the land as a way of securing food for the future.  These young people care about our environment and the food they eat so they are farming  using organic methods.   I believe more mainstream farmers will move to organic as they want to be more sustainable.  We are already seeing mainstream farmers looking at the organic industry for answers to some of their production problems.

I, personally, did not grow up on a farm.  We raised our children on the farm and they have a respect for life and community that i am very proud of.  I am now watching our grandchildren show pride in the food we grow.  It is rewarding that they care and brag that we are organic farmers,  they take part in the farming and marketing.   We empower them to be a part of the farm business giving them responsibilities.

CONNECT WITH FORSTBAUER FAMILY NATURAL FOOD FARMS
Website //  Facebook  //  Twitter

 

 

 

December 14 and 15

Join us on Saturday, December 14th at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex for the Coquitlam Christmas Farmers Market. We’ll have kids’ crafts all day and story time with the Coquitlam Public Library at 11:30am! Sign-up for our Ornament Painting and Build-Your-Own Wreath workshops! We’ll also have performances from SD43 school choirs. Find unique and beautifully handcrafted from a variety of local vendors! Entry is free. Full event and vendor schedule here.
Sunday, December 15th’s market is sponsored by Telus. Come hungry to the market and grab a bite to eat from Kara’s Crepes, stock up on fresh local produce, or find that perfect holiday gift. Enjoy live music by Norine & Alice.
Vendors attending market this Sunday December 15    *please note this list is subject to change
  • A Bread Affair
  • Amazing FoodBC
  • Art Cards by Valerie
  • Artisan Nutrition
  • Biscotti Joe
  • Boneheads Kitchen
  • Central Park Farms
  • CraftWilder
  • Culture Kefir Co
  • Dee’s Jewelry Box
  • Ela Made Me Do It
  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
  • Garys Kettle Corn
  • Gypsy Jean Jewellery
  • Happi Dani
  • Ildiko Jewelry
  • Joyfull Foods
  • Juicily Ginger
  • Kara’s Crepes
  • Kics Gourmet Products
  • Kizzy’s Macarons
  • McCormick Makes
  • MJB Carpentry
  • Moody Essentials Co
  • Occasionally Honey
  • Pavana Orchard
  • Quality Oak Accents
  • Reverent Acres
  • Rockweld Farm
  • Royal City Donuts
  • Sweet Thea Bakery
  • The Jerk Store
  • The Local Farm
  • The Raw Guy
  • Timbercrest Publishing
  • Vlad’s Apiary
  • WestCoast Cider Co.
  • Wild West Coast Seafoods
  • Your Wildest Foods

Winter POP Club – Week 7

December 15 – Week 7: This week our POP kids will be playing BINGO! They will each receive a BINGO card and go out into the market answering questions about the market and its farmers as well as learning where they can find certain items. Each child will receive a different shape that they must make in order to get BINGO! Once they’ve done this they can return to the POP tent, try the two-bite and earn their $3 token!

2-Bite Club: Pears

Discover the Power of Produce and join the POP Club this Sunday!

Last Sunday, kids participated in planting beet seeds! They got hands on as they worked with soil and planted their seeds into egg cartons. They were taught how to care for their plant so they could take them home and watch them grow! This teaches them to be more responsible and to feel the joy of taking care of something other than themselves. If you haven’t yet registered, come down to the POP tent this Sunday and join the club! We’ll be doing fun activities for the kids every week 🙂

So, how does the POP Club work?

Well, the POP Club is a farmers market-based kids program. Each week children (ages 5-12 years old) will participate in fun and educational activities that will teach them about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation. After that, they will be trying the 2-Bite of the week which will be a fruit or vegetable that’s in season and can be found at the market. As they try the 2-Bite we will share with them interesting facts about what they are eating. Once they finish the activity and try the 2-Bite, children receive a $3 market token that can be used towards any fruit or vegetable of their choice. They can either use their token right then or save them for bigger purchases. This teaches kids how to make healthier food choices and how to manage their money.

There is no cost to participate and the program runs every Sunday rain or shine!

Hope to see you this Sunday!