Spring Newsletter 2008

Hi Farm Folks,

It’s that time of year again when we are all gearing up for another busy season.
Our opening market will be on Earth Day—April 19th, 2008. Our entertainment will be provided by the Old Tyme Fiddlers.

A new feature this year will be the education table run by the Farmers’ Market
Education committee. We want to display information about the 100 mile diet,
organic and interesting facts to do with food supply. We would also like to have
information and activities that will appeal to children. If you want to get
involved please come to the booth with your ideas.

Glen would like to have some children's instruments for the young enthusiastic
musicians that would like to play along with the entertainers. If you have any
to donate or lend please bring them to the market.

We would like to have a few tailgate meetings this year and a potluck feast
sometime. The vendors expressed at the last meeting that a sense of community
and connection with other members was one of the reasons they belonged.

The Fall Fair grounds are possibly going under some renovations and this may
impact on the Farmer's Market site within the next few years.

The advertising committee has some new and exciting ideas and have been
working on putting these ideas into action.

The governance committee has written up some policies and these will be
posted on the website and a few paper copies will be available.

Here’s hoping for warmer weather and less rain! See you at the market on April 19th.

The 2008 Board Directors of the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market:

President: Dennis Lightfoot
Vice President: George Ehrler
Secretary: Jo Smith
Treasurer: Colleen Leary

Directors: Bruce Devereux, Al Dzuba, Toby Forlenza, Hubert Gravoueille, Bob Huddart

The following seven committees have been formed and reported on their activities:

Sites:

George Ehrler, Bruce Devereux, Hubert Gravoueille . Volunteer: Bob Leary.

Bruce Devereux and Hubert Gravouille have attended meetings of the Comox Valley Regional District’s plans for the present Fair Grounds. Their consensus is that the CVRD is not really interested in doing anything to support the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market as far as installing an electrical supply for the vendor’s use.

Advertising and Promotions:

Committee: Bob Huddart, Bruce Devereux, Glenn Miller.

More sandwich boards have been purchased to advertise the Farmers’ Market on the south side of Courtenay.
New market shopping bags are now available.
Comox Valley Echo and the Comox Valley Record have been contacted re advertising, directories and coupon books.
Name tag holders have been ordered and the goal is to have them ready to wear for the first market in April.

The Demonstration Booth/Community Table is available but nothing can be sold from it.

Education and Recruitment:

Committee: Toby Forlenza, Jo Smith, Glenn Miller, George Ehrler, Dennis Lightfoot, Marla Limousin.

We had a table at Seedy Saturday at the Filberg Centre on Saturday, March 1st
which was very successful.
Many new market applications were handed out to prospective vendors.
Five hundred market bags were handed out. We had very good exposure.
A Food Safe Level 1 course will be held May 25th.

Communications:

Committee: Jo Smith, Colleen Leary, George Ehrler, and Marla Limousin

The website will be updated after the Spring Meeting with a list of all 2008 vendors.
Packages which will include minutes of the AGM, vendor contract and membership application forms for 2008, will be mailed to the 2007 membership.
Two weeks prior to the Spring General Meeting we will advertise in the newspapers to invite new members to our market.

Application and Review:

Committee: Bob Huddart, Hubert Gravoueille, Dennis Lightfoot

A number of new applications are waiting to be reviewed.
A copy of the signed membership applications will be given to each vendor.

Budget:

Committee: Colleen Leary, Glen Miller, Toby Forlenza, and George Ehrler.
The 2008 Budget had been prepared.

Governance:

Committee: Dennis Lightfoot and George Ehrler.

The draft policies and procedures that are relevant to our market have been condensed.

Minutes of September Directors Meeting

September 10, 2007

-Minutes from last meeting approved
-Market Manager’s Report:

-Fees up again
-Customer Appreciation Day record
-Coupon Project running well

-Financial Report
-Reviewed Business Plan and prepared for tailgate meeting
-Reviewed Performance of Manager

-Very Good

-Discussed need for new trailer and also possibility of coordinating with transit re bus to sat. market
-Set dates for next board meetings:

-October 9 @ 7pm
-November 5 @ 7pm

Minutes of  July Directors Meeting

July 9, 2007 meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.  

Minutes of June 7, 2007 meeting accepted as read and forwarded to all board members, as well as posted on our website.

Present: Simon Toole, Tom Shelley, Glenn Miller, Carol Elliot, Ernie Thurlborn, Andrea Rennie, Jane Aberlye and Gary Rolston (guest)

Gary Rolston: started the meeting by explaining the basics of the proposed business plan for the Farmers Market. Most of the directors have not had an opportunity to read through the details of the plan as there was a  problem with the  email, there will be further discussion before a decision is made.

The vision statement of the market reflects that the membership would like things to continue basically as they are, this statement would have to be voted on at the annual general meeting.

The highlights of the Garys’ talk was that the day to day operations of the market would be delegated to the employees of the market and the board of directors would formulate policy. The directors are not able to respond in a timely manner to decisions and don’t have the time to do the work of operating the market(volunteer burnout). The manager would report to the directors at monthly meetings and the membership at the AGM.

Most of the policies are in place, some fine tuning would be required, talk about a percentage breakdown of the vendors types of products was heard, this would allow for a given percentage of each type of vendor at the market. Example, 70% farm produce, 20% value added goods, 10% crafts, misc. This format would remain in place and would require a vote at the AGM to modify the policy.

The change to a policy governance model would require less volunteer work but may require more employees.

We need input from the membership on this matter; a deadline of July 13^th has been set. For those directors that were absent, some email correspondence with your comments and concerns would be appreciated.

Market Manager’s Report:  Glenn presented his written report, the highlights being

• 78 applications have been approved, 74 paid to date, 4 approved members have not appeared at the market yet.
• Table fees are up over last years’ totals, approximately 10%.
• The BCFMA nutrition program is now under way, coupons are now being circulated at the market..
• The Musicfest weekend presented a few challenges with three vehicles being towed off the fairground field.
• The CBC radio North by Northwest broadcast went off without a hitch, all reports have been positive and Cheryl McKay said she would like to come back.
• A special Thanks to Dave Millard for his efforts in providing a highspeed internet hookup for the CBC broadcast, this event would not have happened without his expertise, well done Dave.
• Glenn will be away for two weeks; Sandy Estes will take over market manager responsibilities in his absence.

 Carol Elliot

• Carol and Glenn have been working on alternatives to plastic bags for the market, there were a number of options discussed
• We have agreed to order 5000 handbags, 3 colours with our logo on one side and sponsors on the other, Economic Development, Tourism and one other possibly.
• A final quote on 30000 biodegradeable T shirt bags with our logo as well, Carol and Glenn will work on the details of that.

Applications

• Four applications were received with one being excepted and three others being discussed, one was rejected; two others will require further clarification.
• Arrangements for the corn roast will be the next, McClintocks will be supplying the corn and some volunteers will be required.
• Next meeting to be held on Aug 13^th.

The meeting was then adjourned at 10:45.

Volunteers needed for Fall Fair

Volunteers are urgently needed for the Comox Valley Fall Fair, which will be held on August 25 and 26, 2007. Areas in need of volunteers are: Kid's Zone, Home and Garden Arts, Administration, Information Booth, Barns, Volunteer Lunch Room, Set Up and Clean Up. Please contact Judy Cowan, Coordinator at 338-8177 or cvea@mars.ark.com. More information is at http://www.cvexhibition.com/volunteers.htm.

NxNW covers the Comox Valley Music Fest from the Farmers' Market

North By Northwest is coming to the Comox Valley Farmers' Market. The popular CBC Saturday morning show, hosted by Cheryl McKay, will be broadcasting from the Farmers' Market location on the Exhibition Grounds, Headquarters Road in Courtenay on Saturday, July 7th. That is the weekend of the Comox Valley Music Fest and Cheryl will have many of the event's top artists as her guests on that morning. The Music Fest takes place right behind the Farmers' Market on July 6, 7 and 8th.

If you normally plan to be at the Farmers' Market when the bell rings at 9 am so as to be sure to get the freshest and the best food available, then get there earlier, a whole lot earlier, because North By Northwest will start its broadcast at 6 am and continue on until 9 am. And Cheryl is not just interested in the music stars. She wants the market's regular customers to be part of her show that morning. So knock back the coffee and get a really early morning start to your Saturday.

You can bet that the market vendors will be there early also to welcome the hundreds of guests who come to the Valley specially for the Music Fest weekend. And while the Music Fest is one of BC's finest musical events, the Comox Valley Farmers' Market has been acclaimed as one of the top two or three such markets in the province.

At the height of the season some 60-70 vendors will be at the market. This is a food market, and proud of it. Now all the farms are at peak production with a wide variety of summer veggies, pork, beef, chicken, bison and venison, all grown in the Valley, fish caught offshore, mushrooms and wild products picked in the mountains and magnificent breads, foccacias, pies, and cakes.

Everything you could wish for for a healthy table can be found there and it is all grown, picked or baked in the Comox Strathcona district by the people selling the products from behind their stands. The market prides itself on strict rules that ensure the highest quality of locally grown food. In addition, all food vendors must have taken the authorized Food Safety course.

Another reason to get there early to take in McKay's broadcast is that you will have a much easier task parking in the early morning hours. And when you have participated in the broadcast, fill up with the week's supply of food and take that short walk to your vehicle. Those coming later will have a longer walk in store.

Music will be what its all about that weekend and the market will have its own contribution to make with a combination of Celtic folk, blues and jazz from the mellifluous instruments of David Sommers, Chris Manuel and Dick Hext. And you don't have to pay admission to hear their great music at the market.

And don't forget that the Farmers' Market is also open on Wednesday mornings, 9 'til noon, at Simm's Park just opposite Lewis Park in Courtenay every Wednesday until the end of September.

The market always welcomes new vendors. Products must be closely related to farming or gardening and produced in the regional district by the person wishing to sell them. All enquiries should be directed to the Market Manager, Glenn Miller, at 218-0321.

Minutes of Directors Meeting

June 6, 2007 - meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.

Minutes of May 2, 2007:  forwarded to all board members

Market Manager’s Report:  Glenn presented his written report, the highlights being

• 74 applications have been approved, 68 paid to date, 6 approved members have not appeared at the market yet.
• Table fees are on par with last years’ totals, the first Wed market was slow, pouring rain, 12 vendors.
• 15 boxes of bags remain, need to move on getting different bags, the market is going away from plastic bags.
• The Mothers’ Day and Garden Day raffles were a success, only one complaint by a vendor objecting to donations to the ‘wheelbarrow’ for the entertainment and raffle.
• We need new hay bales this season, the old ones are getting tired.
• Discussions with the Environmental Health Officer have indicated he is satisfied we are moving in the right direction with our dog policy, he is willing to support a ban of dogs from the market if we choose to go that way
• Discussions are under way for a live CBC Radio broadcast from the market. Host Cheryl Mckay would conduct an interview for CBC program North by Northwest on the market field July 7th. This will mean an earlier start time for this one market, vendors will be advised as soon as the confirmation and details are complete, high speed internet hookup is needed.

Issues and Discussions

• Simon has talked with Judy Cowan regarding the bookkeeping for the market, she is wanting to examine the scope of the job, use of the fall fair office or possibly her own home and computer.  The board feels that the shared office idea with the Fall Fair makes good sense, ie board room and an address, common interests.
• Judy will meet with Joan and Andrea soon.
• Tony will prepare five more news releases for the market this season, CBC day July 7th, Chefs’ Day Oct 13, Customer Appreciation day, last outdoor market Oct 8
• The Rural Shopper ad will go ahead, 1/8^th page for four months Aug – Nov.
• We decided not to put an ad in the” Marmot”, we felt that market was adequately addressed.
• A coupon pilot project has been undertaken by our local health authority that will allow certain groups in the community to spend a given amount of money at our market. This project has been undertaken to try and encourage better eating habits to those lower income groups, the coupons are redeemable for only food type items, no cash refunds, etc. Glenn will be traveling to Vancouver to a training seminar to administer this project, possibly to start in Sept. The market will cover his loss of wages for the one day trip.
• Barry Wood has wireless debit machines available for any vendors that are interested, the cost is about$1600, 339-7315 or bwood@poswest.com
• We are planning to post the proceedings of our board meetings for those that are interested on our website, the ‘News and Events” page, some details of finances will be edited out.

John Watson’s Presentation:  Re:  Ecomonic Development

• He informed us that funding has been approved for the display project,  a tractor and wagon with artwork and promotional information on the CVFM and the Fall Fair as well as agriculture in the Comox Valley. This is a partnership between the three parties. The slogan, “Growing Beyond the Ordinary”, the tractor and wagon will appear at the Market, parades and Fall Fair. There were more details presented as well as some of the artwork (theme sketches), search for a tractor, etc.
• Funding has been also approved for a second edition of the Comox Valley Growers Guide:  this will be a new up-to-date version, 60-100,000 copies to be printed. This funding will also cover some photo shoots (‘A channel ads) as well as some training seminars on business planning, human resources, crop improvement and issues that confront farmers and vendors. These meetings will be held during off season.
• The Echo will be doing printing and ads, the Comox Valley Economic Development people who are the facilitators of this project.  This is all to happen in the next month.
• Concern about lead time in annual updating the growers guide was discussed, possibly Jan. or Feb. would be better time of year.

June 7, 2007 meeting adjourned at 9:35

Next meeting:  July 9 @ 7pm

Simms Farmers’ Market resumes

Jun 6, 2007 Courtesy of The Record newspaper

The Wednesday Farmers’ Market resumes today (June 6) at Simms Millennium Park in Courtenay.

The Wednesday market, augmenting the established one Saturdays at the Courtenay Fairgrounds, proved highly successful last summer, say organizers. It provides residents of the Valley midweek access to locally grown food.

Customers will find a wide array of early-summer vegetables available as well as meats, baked goods, preserves and more, organizers promise.

Hours are 9 a.m. to noon, but many customers come even earlier. Vendors are allowed to sell before the opening bell at this market, unlike the Saturday market.

Simms Millennium Park is opposite Lewis Park just west of the Courtenay Recreation Centre and just east of the Fifth Street bridge. Access to the park by car from the east requires exiting into Lewis Park through the two totem poles and then driving under the bridge.

Access from the west is a simple turn off into Simms Park itself.

Parking has never been a problem at the location, as there are many stalls available in the park itself or across the street in Lewis Park, organizers add.

Production from the Valley’s farms is now in full swing. Some 20 farmers and bakers attend this market providing a good cross-section of what is available at the Saturday market.

Customers and vendors take pleasure from the park setting where the crowds are smaller and a cool breeze seems to blow constantly from the estuary, state market organizers. Musicians are always a feature at this market as well. Today, you can enjoy the original songs of Birgit.

While you are at the market, the park itself is well worth exploring. Its shaded walkways along the river provide an excellent viewing point for river and estuary activity. The bandstand in its unique pagoda is an identifying feature. A quick trip to the market provides an opportunity to pick up a healthy lunch snack while you stroll through the beauty of this urban park.

The Simms Park market will be open every Wednesday from June 6 to the end of September.
Originally in The Record newspaper, June 6, 20007

Signs of Spring
By Wendy Vogels

It's a sure sign of Spring in the Comox Valley when the ever popular Farmer's Market on Headquarters Road emerges from hibernation. This year's first market day occurred on Saturday. Luckily for the vendors, the sun came out for awhile, offering a brief respite between two storm systems. Although the wind was still a bit chilly, plenty of prospective customers showed up, eager to throw off their lingering winter blues. And what better way to do so than by poking through the many booths offering bedding plants, baked goods or unusual food items such as emu or natural cheese products, all the while being serenaded by the Old Time Fiddlers, a local group of musicians.

One of the great things about the Farmer's Market is that one doesn't have to spend a lot of money (or any) in order to enjoy the atmosphere. You can just spend some time looking at what's available, sample some wares or even just plunk down on a bale of hay or one of the picnic tables and enjoy the free music. You are almost sure to run into someone you know so it's a good time to catch up on news or share some gardening tips.

I personally didn't spend any money this visit but still had an enjoyable time sampling a dip made from wasabi (a plant new to the valley with a taste similar to horseradish) and cream cheese, chatting with a lady from a local farm about the best kind of tomato plants for container gardening and investigating the antique tractors and farm implements on exhibit.

I'm looking forward to the first baby carrots and other local vegetables to arrive in coming months and to the opening of the downtown Farmer's Market in June. I tend to use the downtown market on Wednesday mornings to stock up on vegetables and the Saturday morning markets mostly for the social aspect. This year I have promised myself that I will check out the markets in Comox and Cumberland, just for the fun of it. (originally written in 2005, reproduced with permission)

Events 2008

No events posted.

Previously Posted News (before current year)