As we mentioned in our post announcing the details to the fundraiser, Head Chef Todd Bright is creating a special menu for ticketholders to choose from featuring local foods – which aligns with our overall market goals. To help offset the cost of the gourmet menu offerings without raising the ticket price for our loyal supporters, generous sponsors have stepped up to the plate and I wanted to point out their generosity and support. The menu includes:

• Barbeque pork with steamed vegetables and jasmine rice – sponsored by the fine folks at Re-Up BBQ who are opening their brick and mortar store at River Market very soon and who have donated the pork for the dish.
• Mushrooms with crispy tofu on jasmine rice (vegan) – sponsored by the New Veganminster Project, who promotes vegan food by putting on events and gatherings in New Westminster and specializes in food-that-doesn’t-taste-vegan-to-omnivores (trust me, I know!).
• chicken with red peppers, snow peas, and bok choy on Shanghai noodles – sponsored by Rockweld Farm – a returning farmers market vendor who have generously donated the chicken to be used by the chef. They are BCSPCA certified and feed their chickens organic grain.

We are also thrilled to be able to produce our own tickets at a reduced printing cost because of local design firm Of Desks. Of Desks has donated the design for our tickets instead of us having to pay a ticket service with lots of hidden charges!

We are still seeking donations for our silent auction and would love to hear from you if you have something you can donate. Please get in touch with us at marketmanager@rcfm.ca.

There are still some tickets available although tickets are going fast! To buy online, you can check out the right sidebar and follow the link to Paypal. Get in touch with us at 778-928-7236 or info@rcfm.ca to buy in person.

On Sunday May 13, RCFM is excited to be presenting a special bonus mini market at River Market from 11-3. With  focus on sweets, crafts, and other delectable goodies, consider bringing Mom down to the market to browse and wander after brunch. There are a number of restaurants in the area serving up special meals for mom and what better way to digest than to wander lazily in the beautiful setting of River Market?

It’s the only market until we return June 7  for our regular weekly summer spot at Tipperary Park on Thursdays, so don’t miss it!

Tickets for the fundraiser will also be on sale.

Sweet on Mom takes place May 13 from 11-3 and will feature a kids’ craft area as well. River Market is located at 810 Quayside Drive in New Westminster.

Our 5th annual fundraiser has been finalized, and this year we are so pleased to be teaming up with the lovely folks at Wild Rice to celebrate the amazing foods British Columbia food producers have to offer. Mark your calendars for May 31 (one week before our summer season starts up!), and join us to kick off our summer season. Festivities start at 6pm on at Wild Rice, located in River Market at 810 Quayside Drive.

Early crowds at last year's event

Like previous years, ticket holders get a meal and an adult beverage, and the very talented Chef Todd Bright has developed unique dishes just for our fundraiser that feature some of the best our vendors have to offer. We are drooling just typing this! Ticket holders may choose from:

• Barbeque pork with steamed vegetables and jasmine rice
• Mushrooms with crispy tofu on jasmine rice (vegan)
• Rockweld Farms chicken with red peppers, snow peas, and bok choy on Shanghai noodles

Wild Rice is creating a specially featured, seasonally-inspired cocktail to pair with the meals and it is included in the ticket price. (You can opt for a draft beer, highball, or specially selected red or white wine if a cocktail isn’t your thing).

The silent auction table from last year

As at our past fundraisers, we will feature a silent auction and 50/50 draw. We are currently seeking donations of goods and services and if you are willing to donate, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to arrange pickup.

Tickets are just $24. We suggest buying now to avoid disappointment as we have sold out the past three years and expect to again.

Update! Tickets are now available for purchase online! Just hit up our home page, and look for the link in to top right sidebar.

If you’re interested in buying tickets, please email us at info@rcfm.ca.  We can arrange to hold tickets for you at the door. We can take payment via good old fashioned cash, or credit card using paypal. We can also mail you tickets if you’d like. They do need to be paid for in advance.

Please note this event welcomes families with kids to attend – just be aware it is likely to be loud and busy.

Please help us kick start the 2012 summer season and join us May 31 at Wild Rice.

Beautiful loaves from A Bread Affair

This Saturday marks our final winter market for this season. After this market, we’ll be taking a short hiatus to get organized for the summer (but you can see our info booth at the Naramata at the River wine event April 24) and we’ll be returning to Tipperary Park on Thursdays from 3-7 from June 7 to October 4.

But! Winter market season is not over yet despite the return of spring and daylight savings and this market will be our most packed yet this season! We hope you can join us.

You can pick up your tickets for the Naramata Bench Spring Wine Release event on April 24 at the market on Saturday – they’ll be upstairs just outside the circus school. Kids crafts are generously sponsored by Yoyomama.ca and you can find them upstairs, too. The BC Hydro PowerSmart team will also be on hand with activities and information. Outside on the west end, find the local Brownie pack with information about Girl Guides of Canada. We are pleased to have Karla Sleightholme, a talented local saxaphone player, performing live throughout the market. Local environmental group, New Westminster Environmental Partners will also be there to provide info and gather your input on the Master Transportation Plan in New Westminster.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via 6th or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com - we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Eat On Site

• Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Pazzarella Auto Pizzeria - wood fired oven baked pizza
• Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Glen Valley Organic Farm – certified organic produce from a farm located only 50km from New Westminster

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Port Hardy Seafood - BC caught fish and prawns
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• My Father’s Garden – preserves and seasonal baking
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
• Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch

Local Crafters

• Affera Cosmetics – mineral makeup made in Burnaby
• Amanda McCracken – one of a kind crocheted 3D stuffed toys
• Calido Art Glass – lampworked beads and jewelry
• Dingolay Glass Creations - African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
• Hoover Crafted Jewelry - beaded jewelry made in New Westminster
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
• My Secret Cravings – miniature food inspired polymer clay jewelry
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

macarons - delicious!

We here at the market have started the work for summer, including seeking new vendors and also seeking a new Operations Manager. Check out the links if you’re interested.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited for the last two winter markets! We are pleased this month to have Pretty Up Parties returning as our kids activity sponsor in front of the circus school, and Melissa has a really fun craft planned. We will also have balloon artist Kemal upstairs for your entertainment, and our musical guest this month is Karla Sleightholme, a jazz sax player. We are also happy to be supporting the community group this month. Lunchgroup Heavy Industries, a fun team fundraising and riding in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer (and their team captain happens to be a former board member). The community group area is located upstairs near the escalator.

Don’t forget to check out the vendors outdoors – both on the patio on the riverside and on the west end of the market. We’ve got a few new ones this month we think you’ll really like.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via McKenzie, 6th, or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com - we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Here’s who is slated for this Saturday (current as of February 27):

Eat On Site

• Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Pazzarella Auto Pizzeria - wood fired oven baked pizza
• Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Port Hardy Seafood - BC caught fish and prawns
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Rascal’s Goodies – flavoured popcorns and old fashioned candies
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
• TK Chocolates – small batch flavoured chocolates

Local Crafters

• Dingolay Glass Creations - African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
• Gracious Gowns and Gifts - custom and unique beautiful hospital gowns
• Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
• My Secret Cravings – miniature food inspired polymer clay jewelry
• Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations
• Scentimental Creations – Soaps, lotions, hand made cosmetics

Jen Arbo

I’ve been the Operations Manager for RCFM since 2009 and have really enjoyed being a part of such a supportive and happy community. I feel thankful to have had such a unique perspective on local food and to see neighbours coming together each week.

In late 2010, I co-founded a digital strategy consulting business with a friend of mine, Briana Tomkinson, called Hyack Interactive. Our business has been steadily building and we recently received the Best Home Based Business of the Year Award from the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce. We’re really proud of our success and I love the work I do with Hyack Interactive.

With success comes a price, and that price has been a tug on my time. As a work from home parent, there are a limited number of hours in a day I can set aside for completing my work and doing it well. As a result, I’ve made the incredibly difficult choice to make this summer my last with RCFM. I will miss my market life terribly, but for my family, it’s the right choice. I hope to continue to contribute to the market as a volunteer. I am grateful for the trust and opportunity afforded to me by the Board of Directors, current and past, and know how valuable RCFM is to New Westminster.

We’ve started our search for my replacement early so we may find just the right person to replace me and to give them the chance to be introduced to all aspects of the position with on-the-job learning over this summer season. An Operations Manager requires a huge degree of organization, juggling, patience, and flexibility. For most weeks of the market, I have back up plans on top of back up plans and rely on the Board of Directors and valued volunteers for support to make the market happen.

It is critical to all of us at RCFM that we make this transition seamless so the community that has supported us since our inception in 2008 sees no hiccups and continues to enjoy the weekly summer market. If you or someone you know is a suitable candidate, and is interested in part time work, we’d love to hear from you. A detailed job description with instructions on how to apply is here. We are accepting applications until March 16.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the market shoppers and supporters for making my job so much more than a plain old job, and for all of the positive comments I have received since first announcing my intention to hand over the reins to someone new.

We’ve passed the halfway mark on our winter season and have been so busy this past few weeks! We had our AGM on January 26th and we are pleased to have had an election and voted in a new Board for 2012. We’re working furiously right now to prepare for the upcoming summer season, but we are excited we have a market this Saturday to get ready for as well.

Music this month is market favourite Ron Ulrich. We are happy that the great people from Yoyomama.ca are sponsoring our kids’ area upstairs this month. Don’t miss the ticket and info table from the Naramata Bench Spring Wine Release – an exclusive wine, food, and art event happening in April.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via McKenzie, 6th, or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com - we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Also: the first 100 shoppers to pop by the RCFM table get a special flyer with coupons for select vendors.

Here’s who is slated for this Saturday (current as of January 31st):

Eat On Site

• Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
• Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Port Hardy Seafood - BC caught fish and prawns
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• My Father’s Garden – preserves and seasonal baking
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
• Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch

Local Crafters

• Affera Cosmetics – mineral makeup made in Burnaby
• Amanda McCracken – one of a kind crocheted 3D stuffed toys
• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Calido Art Glass – lampworked beads and jewelry
• Hoover Crafted Jewelry - beaded jewelry made in New Westminster
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
• My Secret Cravings – miniature food inspired polymer clay jewelry
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

]]> http://rcfm.ca/2012/01/31/february-4th-2012/feed/ 0 http://rcfm.ca/2012/01/02/january-7th-2012/ http://rcfm.ca/2012/01/02/january-7th-2012/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:02:53 +0000 Jen http://rcfm.ca/?p=4325 Ah, the new year. Such a fresh and exciting time, isn’t it? We hope you all had a fabulous holiday season.

Our next winter market is coming up on Saturday, January 7th at River Market, located at 810 Quayside Drive from 10am to 2pm. We’ll be celebrating all things winter at this market, and if you made a New Year’s resolution to eat better, the farmers market has you covered.

Music at the market is members of the Geometric Shapes. Our music is sponsored by The Heritage Grill. We are also pleased that this month’s kids’ craft area is sponsored by Vancouver Circus School.  As well, we are happy to be welcoming West Coast Rottweiler Rescue as our community group.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via McKenzie, 6th, or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com - we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

PS: Don’t miss our AGM at the New Westminster Public Library January 26th from 6-9pm with special guest speaker John Gibeau, from the Honeybee Centre in Langley.

Eat On Site

• Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs
• Wild Wild West Seafood - BC caught fish and prawns

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• My Father’s Garden – preserves and seasonal baking
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Affera Cosmetics – mineral makeup made in Burnaby
• Calido Art Glass – lampworked beads and jewelry
• Gracious Gowns and Gifts - custom and unique beautiful hospital gowns
• Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations
• Working Silver – unique handmade silver jewelry

Our AGM is January 26th (we hope you can come!), and we’ll be electing a new Board of Directors for the 2012 year. Once they’re elected, they’ll set the policies, fees, and other parts of the summer 2012 season. Once that’s in place, we then can prepare the application packages.

If you’re intersted in applying with us, we recommend you sign up to the Interested Vendors List. In late February or early March, we’ll be sending the list the application package once it is ready. All summer 2011 and winter 2011-2012 vendors are already added to this list.

Thank you for your interest!

This year we are pleased to host guest speaker John Gibeau, from the Honeybee Centre in Langley. John is a New Westminster resident and is going to share his expertise on honeybees, why they are so critical to world food supplies and how to identify wasps and what to do about them.

The AGM will take place at New Westminster Public Library on January 26th. Doors and registration is at 6:00pm, and the evening will get underway at 7:00pm. Memberships are available to purchase at the AGM for just $10, and membership is required to vote in the election of our new Board of Directors.

Please join us!