Market Manager Jen Arbo

Opening market was tonnes of fun with faces new and old. The market is a community and it was nice to get back to it – I didn’t realize how much I missed it over the winter until I was there, unlocking the portable toilet and pointing out stall spaces. As Chris Bodnar, from Glen Valley Organic Farm put it, “it’s like the first day back at school.”

Set up went off more or less hitch free, except next time, we’ll check the brand new tent before market day to make sure it’s fully assembled – trying to figure that out in the pouring rain was not particularly fun. Rays of sunshine Korki the Clown and Allyson Grant were there to provide smiles and giggles to kids of all ages. Market favourite Ron Ulrich with his silky, catchy cover songs stood tall during the rain and sang those cloudy skies away.

To kick things off, in true New Westminster fashion, we blew off a cannon from our friends at the Seymour Artillery Historical Association. As market manager, it’s not often I get to call the non-emergency police line and tell them to “be aware we’re blowing off cannons up here at the market and please don’t panic.” Kind of fun, really.

Here’s how the opening went down:

RCFM Opening Day from Royal City Farmers Market on Vimeo.

The rain eventually let up around 4 and shoppers started trickling in, having been scared off by the torrential downpours at the start. After my market manager duties were completed, I barely had time to get my shopping in.

My haul included feta and butter from new vendor Farmhouse Natural Cheese, my favourite Raclette from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (oh cheese, you are my kryptonite!), organic frozen blueberries from Forstbauer Natural Food Farm, brownies and buttertarts from Blackberry Hill, the sweetest and most lovely carrots from Nature Village, organic cherry tomatoes that look like little pears from Ceylddon Farms, a loaf of sourdough from A Bread Affair, coveted spot prawns from Mary-Anne at Fresh Off the Boat, and a fresh jar of wildflower honey from Liz at Jane’s Honeybees – good timing too, since I polished off the last of my jar from Winter Market only the day before. I also grabbed a Sweet Chili Lime Hummus from Bean Boy and some crisps – an awesome new product – from Momma Nellie’s Goodies for a dinner party I’m headed to this weekend.

Ah… the market. L’amour. What was in your tote? Tell us in the comments!

Busy Market!

Our opening market is going to be great! We’re excited to be up and running and are pleased to bring you some of your favourite vendors from last year, and introduce you to some new vendors you’ll be sure to love! We’ve got a few special tricks planned for our first market to kick things off – stay tuned! The first market of the 2010 Summer Season is June 10th from 3-7PM, in gorgeous Tipperary Park, just a short heart-starting walk up 4th Street from Columbia Skytrain Station, next to New Westminster City Hall. There is free parking at the metered spots on Royal, and free parking after 4:30PM in City Hall’s lot. For cyclists, there is a bike rack at the south end of the market.

Entertainment:

• Korki the Clown
• Allyson Grant Face Painting
• Family Place – crafts and activities for children 0-6

Music:

• Ron Ulrich

Art in the Park: (not a complete list; some artists are drop-in)

• Carolyn Mohr
• Lauren Albrice
• Cliff Milne

Community Group / Non Profit:

• Century House Ceramics

Vendors at this Market : (not all vendors come to every market, so check this list if you’re looking for someone special – they are arranged categorically)

Eat On Site

• Creperie La Boheme – Mouthwatering crepes!
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Beer Brats – sustainably raised sausages made with meats from the Fraser Valley infused with local craft beers

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Dream Farm Natural Growers - produce grown in Burnaby
• 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
• Maan Farms - assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce grown in Richmond

Dairy

• Farmhouse Natural Cheeses - cow’s milk cheeses, goat’s milk cheese, goat’s milk yogurt, cow milk butter
• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

Meat & Fish

• Copeland Foods – meat pies and frozen ready-to-eat dinners
• Fresh Off the Boat – Fresh fish
• Gelderman Farms – Pork
• Maluma Bison – Bison meat
• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – Baked Goods
• Eat It Up – Gluten free and no-sugar-added fruit pies, cookies and green tea
• Sunrise Pita – pitas, chips, dips, and banana bread

Delectable Treats

• Bamboo Yoga Tea – batch crafted wellness teas prepared locally
• Bean Boy Creations – Organic hummous
• Con Amore Foods – handmade fresh pasta and vegan spreads and dips
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Jane’s Honey Bees – honey and other bee products
• Maples’ Sugar Shack - maple syrup products
• Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa
• 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
• Black Bamboo Artisans – hand made glazed pottery and knitting
• Kauhane Creations – blown glass jewelry and sculpture
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations
• Scentimental Creations – Soaps, lotions, hand made cosmetics

Gardening

• Petals & Butterflies – Perennials, shrubs & planters
• Secret Garden – cut flowers