Well, the countdown is on as we wind down our summer season with only three markets left. We’re starting the planning process for our winter market, and are now accepting applications from vendors, and so this week we’re offering part one of a fun little contest that could see you walking away with a prize pack valued at almost $75!

Here’s how to play along: come to the market each week for the next three weeks. Pop by the info table and pick up a stamp card. We’ll stamp a different stamp each week. After you collect all three stamps, add your name and number to the back, and drop it into the draw box. One lucky winner will win a prize package with $25 worth of gift certificates to be spent at the winter market, as well as an RCFM ceramic double walled mug, a set of three of our amazing new produce bags, and a t-shirt (from our existing inventory) AND a free 2012 membership to our organization.

Bonus draw!  Additionally, over this next three weeks, answer the question: What is the best thing about this 2011 summer farmers market season? and drop it in the draw box. One lucky winner will also be selected to win the same awesome prize package: $25 in gift certificates, the shirt, the mug, the produce bags, and the 2012 membership.

You may only win one draw, so we’ll pull the winner for the Stamped Card draw first, and if we pull the same name from the Best Thing draw, we’ll put it aside and pull another name.

Our musical guest this week is courtesy of Redrick Sultan, a four piece funk jazz band. Our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill, and stop by to see our facepainter Allyson to get your arm or face painted. Stop by to see what the folks from the New Westminster Hyack Festival Association are working on. And don’t forget about the cookbook swap! Look for it up at the info table and feel free to bring your unwanted cookbooks to swap for cookbooks from our stash. It’s a book for a book of approximate equal value, or you can buy a book for a minimum $2 donation.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood for free along Royal Avenue, Queens Avenue, or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Cyclists can drop bikes off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market for safekeeping. Don’t forget to check out our cool new merchandise – we are now selling reusable produce bags made locally by the people at Carebags.

A list of all vendors attending the September 22nd market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of September 19th.

Eat On Site

• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Mollie’s Minis – delightful and yummy mini donuts and other treats
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Dingolay Glass Creations - African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

Big wheel keep on turnin’! [Turnin'!] Proud Mary keep on burnin’! [Burnin'!] Rollin’! Rollin’! Rollin’ on a river! 

 

Yes, this week we’re celebrating the wheeled things in our lives with a special market dedicated to the pedal powered, rollin’, spinnin’ wheels in our lives. Farmers and food producers see a lot of wheels as critical to their jobs: tractors, mills, spinning wheels… wheels are a natural part of food production. We thought we’d also celebrate other wheeled goodies – wagons, bikes, strollers, wheelchairs, scooters, and tricycles. Don’t miss the Kids’ (of all ages) Wheeled Parade at 6PM. Meet at the entrance to the walkway on Third Street, by the tennis club with your decorated and festooned wheeled transport. An RCFM representative will be there to line you up and get you going! Participants will parade along the walkway, into the market, and up to the northern grassy area, and receive fresh kettlecorn and fresh apple juice at the end of the parade.

As well, we’ll be hosting a few organizations and groups dedicated to bikes and other wheeled things. The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, an amazing two day bike ride through the Pacific Northwest, will be on hand to provide info about the 2012 Ride. The Tour de Coast team from Cops for Cancer, with representation from New Westminster police officers, will be there spinning, spinning, spinning, hoping to make their donation goal before they head out on the big ride to support pediatric cancers. We’re also excited that New West Cycle, long a supporter of the farmers market, will be there to offer guidance on how to do some basic bike maintenance on your steed, and Fraser River Bike Tours will be on hand to provide info about what sort of tours they offer. As well, the New Westminster chapter of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition will be available with info on bike routes and how to make cycling a larger part of your life.

Our musical guest this week is popular favourite Ron Ulrich. Our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill, and stop by to see our facepainter Allyson to get your arm or face painted. Stop by to see what the folks from the Royal City Gogos are working on. And don’t forget about the cookbook swap! It was so popular when we introduced it a few weeks ago, we’ve decided to include this as a regular fixture at all non rainy markets for the rest of the season. Look for it up at the info table and feel free to bring your unwanted cookbooks to swap for cookbooks from our stash. It’s a book for a book of approximate equal value, or you can buy a book for a minimum $2 donation.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood for free along Royal Avenue, Queens Avenue, or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Cyclists can drop bikes off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market for safekeeping. Don’t forget to check out our cool new merchandise – we are now selling reusable produce bags made locally by the people at Carebags.

A list of all vendors attending the September 15th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of September 13th.

Eat On Site

• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Mollie’s Minis – delightful and yummy mini donuts and other treats
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Rizalina’s Juice – fresh made juice to order
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

Meat & Fish

• 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.
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch

Local Crafters

• Alma Valle Fine Silver Jewelry – handcrafted sterling silver original jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

Gardening

• Agnes Warmerdam – daffodil bulbs
• i-Dig Gardening – soil amenders and compost additions

We are very excited to announce that this year’s winter market will take place at River Market.We feel the vision of River Market complements what we do perfectly. The farmers’ market will be on the first Saturday of the month from 10-2 and we invite you to join us to celebrate local food and crafts in the beautiful setting of River Market. All of your favourite vendors plus room for some new faces!

We’ll be posting the vendor application in the next week or so, and we encourage everyone to mark their calendars for November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 3, and April 7. We can’t wait to see everyone in this new setting.

Spread the word! RCFM Winter Market at River Market, first Saturday of the month, November to April!

(PS: Four more summer markets to go! Go sunshine, go!)

As I write this, it is the first day back to school for most kids in our area and this past week has been fantastic summer weather to end their vacations on a great note. Some of our volunteers will be back to school too, and we wanted to take a few minutes to say thanks to them for all their hard work over their summer break. Many of our farmers have lost their interns and apprentices as well, as they return back to their universities and colleges to continue their agricultural schooling. But, the food is still growing, the market is still going strong, and the weather will hopefully continue for another few weeks.

Our musical guest this week is courtesy of Redrick Sultan, a four piece funk jazz band. Our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill, and stop by to see our facepainter Allyson to get your arm or face painted. Stop by to see what the folks from the Lower Mainland Purpose Society are working on. And don’t forget about the cookbook swap! it was so popular when we introduced it two weeks ago, we’ve decided to include this as a regular fixture at all non rainy markets for the rest of the season. Look for it up at the info table and feel free to bring your unwanted cookbooks to swap for cookbooks from our stash. It’s a book for a book of approximate equal value, or you can buy a book for a minimum $2 donation.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood for free along Royal Avenue, Queens Avenue, or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Cyclists can drop bikes off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market for safekeeping. Don’t forget to check out our cool new merchandise – we are now selling reusable produce bags made locally by the people at Carebags.

A list of all vendors attending the September 8th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of September 6th.

Eat On Site

• Gina’s Greek Food – locally made Greek food including spanokapita and souvlaki (including vegetarian options!)
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Mollie’s Minis – delightful and yummy mini donuts and other treats
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Rizalina’s Juice – fresh made juice to order
• Samosa Guy - hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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.
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

Gardening

• NEW Agnes Warmerdam – daffodil bulbs for fall planting

 

Five participants, three hours, one kitchen.

Surprisingly, this is not the start of a new reality cooking game show; this is the New Westminster Community Kitchen program.  The program, supported by New West non-profit organization Cameray Child and Family Services, has been running out of churches in the city for five years. Their main goal is to promote healthy, low cost, eating by teaching participants how to make delicious and nutritious meals.

I stopped by one of the by-monthly Community Kitchens, at Shiloh 6^th Ave Church, this Tuesday to see what they were all about. Each Kitchen is about three hours long, with number of participants varying from three to ten. There are four recipes made, under the direction of one program coordinator, with the participants broken up into groups, helping each other make something new.

This time they were making Peach Jam, Hyson Salmon, Pineapple Carrots and a Summer Fruit dessert. As much as I wanted to fully photo-document all of the recipes, it was a bit challenging to be in four places at once, so I got snippets of each one. The recipes are available at the end of the post, as well as information about how you can get involved with the Kitchens.

The four stations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The process:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end result: Unfortunately, I missed getting a finished picture of the dessert. When completely done, the fruit mixture sits on a tasty little sponge cake. So good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipes: 

Pineapple Ginger Carrots

• 2 tbsp. Butter
• 1/2 tbsp. grated Ginger
• 1 bag of carrots
• 1 cup of Pineapple Juice

For more information about the Community Kitchens please contact the program coordinator Patricia Davison @ 604-763-1358 or pmdavison@telus.net

Check out this video as well! Community Kitchen Video

Once in the summer and once more in the winter we offer a special day to say thank you to our members by giving special discounts at selected vendors and including extra special activities. That market is finally upon us this week, August 11th. All members are encouraged to come out and enjoy the market – and memberships are available for just $10 for those who have not yet taken the plunge in supporting the market.

First up, enjoy a coffee or tea on us by showing your membership card at the info booth and receive a coupon good for one drip coffee or bag tea from Gogo Java. Armed with your membership card, receive 5% off at Celyddon Farms (all those delightful certified organic cherry tomatoes!), discounts on salsa at Momma Nellie’s ($7 per jar or 3 for $20), last year’s pricing on kettlecorn from Gary’s Kettlecorn, $2 off all larger Sirloin Tip or Baron of Beef roasts from Outwest Ranches, 10% off all purchases (from now till the end of the season) at Red Barn Plants and Produce, 10% off all purchases at The Other Eden, 10% off all purchases over $5 at French Made Baking, and 1$ off all 1kg tubs of honey at Jane’s Honeybees.  Stay tuned for deals from Ace Curries, Gourmet Savories, Samosa Guy and Glen Valley Organic plus other deals as we are able to pin down before the market starts. Look for a sign just like this in vendor stalls.

 

We’re also thrilled to be kicking off the 2011 New Westminster Cultural Crawl – this event takes place August 13th and 14th at various locations throughout the city. Look for Art in the Park artists and don’t forget to grab a brochure from the info desk to plan your weekend’s cultural activities. The Cultural Crawl is a great way to check out some of the local studios and be a tourist in your own town.

Our musical guest this week is the ever-popular Ron Ulrich- our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill, and stop by to see what the folks at the Community Garden Society and the Food Action Committee are working on. We are super excited to have our friend Bluebeary join us at the market for storytime.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Our bike rack has temporarily gone missing, but you can drop your bike off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market.

A list of all vendors attending the August 11th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of August 10th.

Eat On Site

• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas
• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Icy Freshpops - gourmet locally made popsicles
• Mollie’s Minis - delightful and yummy mini donuts and other treats
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
• Rizalina’s Juice – fresh made juice to order

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Canwest Farms – blueberries in 5 and 10 pound cartons
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce

Dairy

• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• Ace Curries To Go – curry sauces
• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Nonna Pia’s Gourmet Sauces – balsamic based sauces
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Elagaince – upcycled vintage spoon bracelets and rings
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Kiki Kid’s Wear – hand designed, cut, and made kids clothing with a designer edge
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

 

The weather people keep telling us that August is going to be the summer we’ve all been waiting for. I don’t know about you but my tomato and strawberry plants would very much like a spell of nice hot weather. I can’t imagine how hard it is for a farmer to plan their livelihood with Mother Nature at the helm of the decision making. Did you know that farmers make up only 1.5% of BC’s population? Yet, this small percentage of the population produces an estimated 48% of all foods consumed in B.C. Whether or not we are aware of it, British Columbians depend on BC farmers and BC farmland. July 31st to August 6th is BC’s 2nd Annual Farmer Appreciation Week. Please consider taking time this week as you wander and peruse the market to say thanks to the people in the farm stalls and let them know you appreciate their hard work.

What’s on this week:

Join our friends the New Westminster Public Library at our community group table. They’ll be selling some books and have information about all of their fantastic summer programming. Drop by and say hi. Also at the market this week is local musician Jeff Huggins - our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Don’t forget to get your facepainted by market favourite, Allyson Grant, and be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Our bike rack has temporarily gone missing, but you can drop your bike off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market.

A list of vendors attending the August 4th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of August 2nd.

Eat On Site

• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas
• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Canwest Farms – blueberries in 5 and 10 pound cartons
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce
• Training Wheels Farm – locally produced on a 2 acre plot in Surrey

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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.
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Alma Valle Fine Silver Jewelry – handcrafted sterling silver original jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Magnetite Jewelry by Gina – magnetite jewelry custom fit
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

Gardening

• i-Dig Gardening – soil amenders and compost additions

Whoops! Seems we made a few errors when we posted this story last week! Specifically, we didn’t tell you the complete picture about what exactly “certified organic” is when it comes to chickens and eggs, and also we mixed up the definitions of free run and free range. This goes to show just how confusing food labelling is – even for us! – and how important it is to get well educated before passing on the info. We’re normally very good at fact checking but this one slipped by us and we apologize for the confusion.

Thanks to Jerry Ellis, Sheila Poznikoff, and Chris Bodnar for the corrections and the points in the right direction. We have four vendors selling eggs at the market: Glen Valley Organic Farm or Forstbauer Farms both offer certified organic eggs. Outwest Ranches offers free range eggs, and Rockweld Farm has free run eggs. Now… back to Allie’s corrected egg post. ~Jen Arbo, Operations Manager

I love eggs. I think they are the perfect addition to any breakfast; or lunch, or dinner for that matter. They are delicious, and you can do so many different things with them. And there are so many different kinds, and contributing factors, that can make an already delicious product even more delicious — and healthier too! Amazing!

Difference between White Eggs and Brown Eggs:

It all boils down to the hen. Certain kinds of hens lay white eggs, and certain kinds lay brown eggs. Brown eggs are not necessarily better for you, but are often more expensive due to the fact that they are less common. Some chickens also lay blue eggs are often referred to as “easter eggers”. Still a chicken egg though – the blue doesn’t really matter.

Yolk Colour:

The colours of yolk do vary — from pale yellow to a dark orangey colour — and this is affected by what the hen is fed. If the hen was fed wheat you’re probably going to have pale yolk, however if the hen was fed corn the yolk will be darker. That being said, generally hens that have been allowed to freely range eat healthier, greener, food. And because of that the nutrients are passed along to the yolk making it a darker colour.

Free Run vs. Free Range:

Free Range chickens are kept in barns or hen houses that enable them to have outside access all the time at the discretion of the farmer. Free Run chickens live similarly, except they don’t have access to the outside. However, they are allowed to walk around while they are kept inside. No cages for either these chickens!

Organic Eggs:

Organic eggs are very similar to Free Range eggs. They have the same living conditions but are only fed organic feed (feed which has been grown naturally without genetically modified organisms). The chickens are often healthier as well, they are not given any antibiotics (except in emergencies) or hormones. There are also organic standards by which the chickens must live by; the flock cannot live cages, and must always have access to the outdoors — there is a standard regarding how big the enclosure must be as well (Certified Organic states that there must be 2323 cm2/ hen). After the egg is laid nothing is done to it, there is not artificial colouring added or vitamins. Canadian Organic standard covers every aspect of the chickens life: how they are fed, how they are transported and handled, where and how they live and their health care. These eggs can be more expensive but you do know exactly what went into the egg and you know exactly how the chicken was handled and lived their life.

Omega-3 Eggs:

Omega-3 Eggs are laid by chickens that are fed a very specific diet of flax seed, canola and linseed. These are all very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, therefore these eggs are higher in Omega-3 then normal eggs. These eggs are healthier for you, but there is no guarantee that the chickens were kept in good conditions.

With files from CBC, www.helpwithcooking.com, Humane Food and Mother Earth News

We here at Royal City Farmers Market wish to take a moment to thank all of you who continue to support the market despite the less-than-stellar weather we’ve been having this season so far. We are very appreciative that you continue to come to rainy markets to shop and enjoy. In fact, we’re so pleased our customers continue to come out, this week we are offering the chance to win an RCFM prize pack valued at $58. In it, one of our limited edition ceramic mugs,  a t-shirt (we’ll do our best to find your size from within our existing inventory), and a $20 gift certificate to be spent at a future market. In order to be entered into the draw, just stop by the info booth this week on your way home and show us your purchase – everyone who comes to the market this week and buys something is entitled to enter. Consider becoming a member to show your support! Membership has a few perks, including discounted RCFM merchandise and Member Appreciation Days (hint: there is one of those coming up soon!).

So, thank you RCFM shoppers. We’re glad you continue to come out and support local food!

PS: we now have a few umbrellas available for loan at the info desk if you happen to leave your house when it’s sunny but arrive to a downpour. Just ask!

What’s On This Week:

Music, sponsored by The Heritage Grill , will be courtesy of local funksters Redrick Sultan, a market favourite. Our  Art in the Park featured artist is Cliff Milne. Don’t forget to stop by the Kids’ Activity Booth, sponsored by Derrick Thornhill and get your face painted by Allyson!

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Our bike rack has temporarily gone missing, but you can drop your bike off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market.

A list of vendors attending the July 21 market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates!

Eat On Site

• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas
• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms - assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• 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
• Golden West Farms - Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce from Abbotsford
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce
• Training Wheels Farm – locally produced on a 2 acre plot in Surrey

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

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.
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sunrise Pita Company – pitas, chips, dips, baklava and and banana bread
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
• Simply Delish Soup Co - layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Elagaince – upcycled vintage spoon bracelets and rings
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Kiki Kid’s Wear – hand designed, cut, and made kids clothing with a designer edge
• The Other Eden - cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products

Gardening

• i-Dig Gardening – soil amenders and compost additions
• Secret Garden – cut flowers

This week we will be having a special market to support the fabulous non-profit organizations in New Westminster. With over 15 non-profits attending – each one will have their own booth set up – this market is sure to be a blast! Come join us and learn about some of the non-profits in your neighbourhood, attendees include (but are not limited to!): the Wildlife Rescue Association, Fraser River Discovery Centre, Royal City Gogos, FortisGas, BC Hydro, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, Abreast in a Boat, and many more!

We will of course have all of our wonderful vendors in attendance, as well as Art in the Park and out Kids’ Craft area – sponsored by Derrick Thornhill. Music this week will be provided by the wandering jazz duo, Quinn and Ogilvie. The Heritage Grill continues to support all of our entertainment at the market. My Garden Footprint will also be in attendance this week, and they will be giving out prizes!

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Our bike rack has temporarily gone missing, but you can drop your bike off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market.

A list of vendors attending the July 14 market is below, but remember to check back for cancelations and updates!

Non-profits attending this market:

• Abreast in a Boat
• BC Hydro
• Burns Bog Conservation Society
• Cops for Cancer
• Downtown Residents Association
• Kids New West
• FortisGas
• Fraser River Discover Centre
• Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch
• New Westminster Area Community Corrections
• New Westminster Community Gardens
• Royal City Gogos
• Simon Fraser Society for Community Living
• Taoist Tai Chi Society
• Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
• Wildlife Rescue Association