IN THIS ISSUE

The Winter Farmers Market

Seasonal Produce

Vendor News

Seasonal Recipe

Winter Help Wanted

Community Events

BC Agriculture Plan Public Meetings

Seasonal Produce at the Markets this Month:
Apples
Artichokes
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chinese Vegetables
Cucumbers
Currants
Fresh Herbs
Garlic
Grapes
Green Beans
Hazelnuts
Kale
Leeks
Lettuces & Leafy Greens
Mushrooms
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radishes
Shallots
Spinach
Strawberries
Summer Squash
Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Turnips
Winter Squash
Yellow and White Onions
Zucchini
and more!
The Winter Farmers Market

There's a chill in the air that wasn't there just a few short weeks ago, the nights are darker it seems and the mornings are darker too - isn't one supposed to get lighter in the Winter? I don't remember. In any case we all know this is the time to start shopping for slippers and flannel pajamas and to drink hot chocolates and imported food from sunny climes a great distance away. It is true that this has been the practice - something we've all become very used to and even resigned to. As the last day of the summer markets gets further and further off in our memory the more we turn to imported food to fill our stomachs and get us through the damp and chilly fall and winter.

We're hoping to start to change all that with the Winter Farmers Markets. These markets are meant to inject some local food into your diet and to offer our vendors a to sell their products in the traditional off-season. We hope they will also be an education in what is available locally year round.

We invite you to wake up your dormant tastebuds and experience the market in the Winter.

Market dates: November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7

Time: 10am - 2pm at the WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive (behind the Van East Cultural Centre)

For a list of vendors who will be attending: http://www.eatlocal.org/wfm_11_4.htm

[top]
Seasonal Recipe: West Coast Salmon Chowder

by Birgitta Hellman

Birgitta encourages everyone to buy organic, eat locally, cook from the heart and to share lovingly with family and friends.

Serves 4

Ingredients
1 lb. wild salmon**
1 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. crushed garlic**
1 medium red onion, diced**
3 stalks celery, chopped**
6 tomatoes, diced (1-1/2 cups)**
3 Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped**
1 large red and 1 orange bell pepper, chopped**
1 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped**
1/2 bunch cilantro, finely chopped**
4 Tbsp. Bragg's seasoning (Not local, but important to the flavour. Can be deleted for 100% local)

**ingredients available at your local farmers market

Directions
In a large soup pot, over medium heat sauté onion and garlic in butter for 2 minutes. Add rest of vegetables and cilantro. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and enough water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 10 minutes. Add Bragg's seasoning. Cut salmon into large chunks, removing skin and bones. Add fish and simmer for 15 minutes. Add basil the last 5 minutes. Season with salt pepper and hot sauce.

This recipe and many others are included in Birgitta's first cookbook: Taste This:Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Flavours. For more information visit: www.birgittahellman.com
 

Update on Ja Pace Fundraising Drive

This past September, Farmers Market vendors sponsored a fundraiser for Ja Pace, a local 20 year old dancer who needs to raise $200,000.00 for a unique bone marrow transplant in Italy. Ja is from East Vancouver and has lived with beta thalassemia, a rare blood disorder, for most of her life. Without this transplant she will likely die before age 40.

We are proud to say that the East Van market vendors and shoppers contributed over $800 to Ja's fund and we wish her and her family all the best as she embarks on this important trip. To keep up on Ja's progress, go to: http://panchoandsal.com/ja.htm
So Much to Learn
Roots of Food
One-day Workshop - What are the key issues with our food & how do we create solutions? Join holistic nutritionist, Paula Luther, RHN, for an interactive exploration of our food and food systems. Identify what matters most to you & your food and create solutions basted on nutrition, ecology, and fun. Instructor Paula Luther has been studying the cultural, social, and healing diversity of food for over 20 years, is an instructor at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, and a member of the Grandview/Woodlands Food Connection. Paula also sees clients one-on-one and writes for health and wellness and food publications.

Sun Oct 22
1 pm – 5 pm
Rm 102- Britannia Secondary School
1001 Cotton Drive
Vancouver
$10

To register:
Britannia Community Centre
604-718-5800
www.britanniacentre.org

Vendor News


Help Wanted
Silvia Dotto is looking for experienced help for her out of town shows...anyone interested or know of anyone in Toronto, Chicago or Ottawa? She is looking for a few people to help with display set up and take down for her display of pottery. She will also need part time sales staff during the shows. For more details contact Silvia, at 604 877-1222 or sdotto@shaw.ca.

Find out more about Silvia, her pottery and her upcoming shows on her website at www.silviadotto.com

Lamb Coming to Riley Park Market
Jay Springs Lamb will be making a much anticipated appearance at the Riley Park Farmers Market on the last market day - October 25. They will not be at the first Winter Farmers Market so this will be your only opportunity to pick up some of the best lamb you'll ever find until December. To place special orders, visit their website or call 250-573-3609.

 

 

Winter Help Wanted

Your Local Farmers Market Society is looking for some help for it's upcoming Winter Farmers Markets. Take a look at these employment opportunities and get in touch with us if you think you'd like to be a part of this exciting new event. Here are the details

PUBLICITY: We need help postering and leafletting before the event (the next 2 weeks) in the neighbourhood around the WISE Hall and also other spots around the city. This job is great for someone who has a few hours free here or there to cover an area by foot. Posters are a very important way to spread the word about our events.

MARKET DAY ASSISTANTS: Market assistants work with a team of other assistants and market managers to set up and run the market day operations. Answering questions from shoppers, unloading vendor vehicles, covering for vendor breaks and serving apple juice are all parts of this fast-paced day. The shift is 7am -3pm on the first Saturday of the month, November to April. Can't make it every month? Give us a call anyway - we can be flexible for the right person. $10.00 per hour.

HEAVY LIFTERS: We also need a few folks who have big muscles to help with quickly unloading vendor vehicles during setup. You'll be lifting heavy boxes of produce, equipment and appliances. Your help is greatly appreciated as we really need to move people through during the unloading period. You will be needed for 4 hours only - 7am - 11am and the pay is $50.

If you are interested in learning more about these casual employment opportunities, please contact Tara at 604-879-3276 by Tuesday, October 24.


Curious about Eating Healthy?

Check out these classes run by our market assistant Sarah McMillan and her partner Lisa Marie Whittaker.

Upcoming Classes at Trout Lake Community Centre:
Eating Healthy on a Budget - Mon Nov 6th
7.00- 9.30pm
Smart Vegetarianism- Mon Nov 20th
7.00- 9.30pm
Food Security - Monday November 27th
7.00- 9.30pm
Eating Local and Organic - Mon Dec 11th
7.00- 9.30pm

$25 per class.
Register on-line:
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/
parks/cc/troutlake/index.htm
or call (604) 257-6955

COMMUNITY LIVING MONTH CELEBRATIONS/LAST MARKET DAY - October 25 at Riley Park Farmers Market 1-6:30pm

Come Celebrate Community Living Month at the Riley Park Farmers Market. Several community groups will be sharing some fun events and community information at this the last day of the regular market season.

There will be pumpkin decorating, face painting, crafts for kids,special entertainment, games and more.

The farmers market is also sponsoring a pumpkin patch for you to pick out your Hallowe'en jack-o-lantern to be.

 

 

 

[top]

BC Agriculture Plan Public Meetings

The Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Planning Val Roddick is encouraging all stakeholders: farmers, industry representatives, urban, rural, First Nations community members, and the media to attend the consultation meetings being held in September to develop a ‘Made-in-BC’ agriculture plan. The BC Agriculture Planning Committee meetings are scheduled as follows:

Vancouver
Date: October 20, 2006
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Room 328, 1399 Johnston Street

The committee is seeking input to develop a comprehensive plan that will increase public awareness on agriculture and food production, encourage active participation of First Nations in agriculture, encourage the growth and diversification of the industry and enhance the contribution agriculture provides to British Columbia’s economy, environment and quality of life.

To provide input electronically or to learn more about the committee, visit www.harvesttohome.bc.ca

 

Community Events and Announcements

A Cuppa for a Cause
Cedar Cottage Coffee House recently launched a new coffee. Normally, this would not make news but this coffee is special. It is a custom blended coffee sold as a fundraiser and tribute to Lee Matasi, artist and skateboarder who died last year. "Leeside Tunnel Roast Custom Espresso Blend Coffee" as it has been named is raising funds to build Leeside Skatepark in Lee's memory. 100% of the proceeds benefit this project.
Pick up a pound of this special blend at The Cedar Cottage Coffee House, 1303 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC. 778-840-2739

Film Screening: Grass Through Concrete by Maia Iotzova
Oct 20, 06 - Alice MacKay Room from 7:30 to 9:30 PM of the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia). Admission is Free. This series is co-sponsored by the VPL.

Grass Through Concrete by Maia Iotzova
The film documents the dramatic and unique cooperation between First Nations and citizens of Hamilton, Ontario, to protect the last large green space in the heavily industrialized east end of the city.

Q&A with the filmmaker and a discussion on local issues of urban sprawl and Hwy 1 expansion with David Fields from Society Promoting Environmental Conservation and Laura Princic from Smart Growth BC

A Necessary Voices presentation.


 
Market Dates and Times

One More Week! Riley Park - Wednesdays, 1pm -6:30pm
Until October 25
Nat Bailey Stadium Parking Lot
30th Ave at Ontario St

NEW! Winter Farmers Market
First Saturday of the month - November to April, 10am - 2pm
Wise Hall 1882 Adanac Street

Holiday Market, Saturday and Sunday
December 9 & 10
10am - 5pm both days
Heritage Hall, Main Street at 15th Avenue

East Vancouver - Saturdays, 9am - 2pm
Closed for the Season - See you next year!
Trout Lake Community Centre Parking Lot
East 15th Avenue and Victoria Drive

West End Saturdays, 9am - 2pm
Closed for the Season - See you next year!
Comox Street between Bute and Thurlow

 
FARM VENDOR SPOTLIGHT - Helmer's Organic Farm

Have you had a chance to check out the farmer bio binder at the Market Information tent? Next time you're at the market, give it a browse - here you'll find background information on your favourite grower and facts about their growing methods etc.

FARMER(S): Doug, Jeanette, Anna, Jennie, and Lisa Helmer

FARMLAND: 76 acres in mountain valley near Pemberton. Hot summers. Fairly isolated. 45 acres cultivated; 30+ left wild. Two rivers, wetlands, ponds, etc.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC? Yes. Bio-Dynamic (1996)

PRODUCTS: Potatoes, garlic, carrots, greens, peas, etc.

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY:We cleared the land ourselves in 1980. Neighbours’ cattle used it at first, plus our garden. Gradually we increased the acreage under cultivation: 8 acres of potatoes, an acre of garlic, and various other veggies. Our philosophy is all about the taste and quality of our produce, rather than quantity. Being a small, hands-on, family-run farm, we can pay a lot of attention to details. Doug spends much of his time preparing soil for future plantings: green manure, cutting grains and grasses for mulch, etc.

SOIL: Soil varies but all fields are silt, loam, some sand and lots of humus. We only use cover crops – no bone or blood meal – crops like clover, rye, oats, pasture mix, peas, etc. are grown with a five-year rotation of potatoes.

Feeding our plants: On the potato fields: green manure, cover crops: only five years of these cut and mulched before potatoes. Bio-dynamic preparations. Compost and fish fertilizer for the greenhouses.

Pest Management: No pests usually.

Weed control: Hoeing, hard weeding, mulch.

To Enhance our products: Cut tops of potato plants if growing too large.

Water Use: Hand watering in vegetable garden and greenhouses. No irrigation in fields (there is a high water table).

Workers: Three full-time family members, some part-time work for digging potatoes (three or four people).

----------------
Craving some of those buttery spuds? The Helmers will be at the Winter Farmers Market on November 4


[top]
Articles for E-bits
E-bits is YLFMS’ monthly on-line newsletter, reaching over 1,500 supporters of the Farmers’ markets in Vancouver. If you would like to submit an article relevant to our readers on topics such as local food systems, farming issues, food preparation, food issues, recipes, sustainable agriculture, land preservation, arts and crafts production and community economic development please contact Roberta at roberta@eatlocal.org. Only articles pertaining to the overall goals and mission of the organization will be considered for submission. The next issue of e-bits will be out November 15.
Submission deadline: November 10
Newsletter Archive

Miss a past issue of e-bits? Get caught up:

Mark Your Calendars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

This issue of e-bits compiled by Roberta LaQuaglia

Your Local Farmers Market Society
1163 Commercial Dr, #2, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X3 Tel. 604-879-FARM (3276) info@eatlocal.org

You have received this email because you signed up for the monthly newsletter from Your Local Farmers Market Society. If you would no longer like to receive this newsletter, please click here and press send.