Welcome to the first issue of Market Share - the new name for the monthly newsletter of Vancouver's Farmers Markets. We think our new name describes what it is all about - sharing. Sharing news, sharing ideas, sharing time and in the case of the markets, sharing the bounty. We hope you continue to enjoy the information we bring you each month and we encourage you to share your comments with us. Thank you for supporting Vancouver's Farmers Markets!

Upcoming Market Events

Resolve to Eat Local This Year at the Winter Market!
Now is the time for new year’s resolutions and what better change to make in 2008 than to eat local and support BC farmers? The Winter Market presents the perfect opportunity to do this every second and fourth Saturday of the month, at the WISE Hall on Adanac @ Victoria Dr.

With locally sourced produce disappearing rapidly from supermarket shelves, Vancouverites may be surprised to learn of the variety of BC products available at the market in mid-winter. Hardy greens and cabbages, tree fruits such as apples, pears, and quinces, wild mushrooms, root crops, and onions and garlic are still coming in despite the cold weather. As well as farm products, shoppers can find a host of other foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, and baked goods, plus a wide variety of gourmet specialty product and craft.

You can catch the Winter Market on the following dates: Feb. 9/08, Feb. 23/08, Mar. 8/08, Mar. 22/08, Apr. 12/08, and Apr. 26/08. Market time is 10 am- 2pm, and admission is free. The WISE Hall is located at 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive. Check out our line-up of nearly 40 vendors at the Winter Market by following this link: www.eatlocal.org/wfm/february.htm

The Future of Farming in BC: A Speaker Series
What is the future of farming in BC? What innovations will re-establish a sustainable food system that nourishes our population and supports farmers?
Your Local Farmers Market Society, in conjunction with the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, Kwantlan University College, presents an inspiring and solutions oriented three part speaker series at the Langley Campus of Kwantlan University College. See details.

Vendor News

Applications for the 2008 season have just gone out. We are looking for more vendors to join our diverse and growing markets. Here's what we need for 2008:

bread bakers & cheese makers
beef, bison, poultry, lamb & pork vendors
ground crop growers - ie. root vegetables, Asian vegetables
early season vegetable growers - ie. greenhouse vegetables
At this time we are not accepting new vendors in the craft category.

If you or someone you know are interested in joining the markets as a vendor, check out our Become a Vendor page on our website. Once you're ready to go, get in touch with our Office Administrator, Jen at jen@eatlocal.org or 604-879-3276 for an application package.

Community Events

January 5-February 23, 2008- Business Planning For Farms- Helping Assure Sustainability and Success- Six morning sessions. The workshop is being led by Dr. Kent Mullinix of the College's Institute of Sustainable Horticulture with support from regional agricultural experts. Participants will have the opportunity to develop an individual business plan while hearing from experts on such topics as financial management and marketing. Women seeking to start a farm venture or anyone contemplating diversification of their farm or agricultural business through value-added agricultural enterprise will find the workshop particularly useful. Detailed information is available at http://www.drsociety.bc.ca/

February 3, 2008-"Condemned", a Downtown Eastside opera- An insightful look into the lives of the DES community, "Condemned" tells the tale of a group of residents facing eviction who decide to stand up and fight. Written by a team of writers living in the community and originally performed in October of 2006 at the Carnegie Centre, this opera returns by popular demand to the Westside venue of St. James Community Square, 3214 W. 10th Ave. Time: 7pm. Cost: tickets are $15(suggested minimum). Call 604 731-0599, or email mel_lehan22@hotmail.com for tickets and info.

February 10, 2008- Eating Through the Seasons the Vegan Way - Winter
Explore the joys of eating in harmony with the earth.This four hour hands on cooking workshop will offer nutritional information & cooking techniques to support your body as it goes through the natural cycle of winter. Bring your appetite for knowledge and good food. Contact instructor with any food allergies or sensitivities. Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm, Room 102, Britannia Secondary School. Cost: $45.

February 23, 24- Growing New Farmers: The Next Generation
Speakers: John Anderson (See Bio)
Chris Bodnar (See Bio), Glen Valley Organic Farm

Presentation: Saturday, February 23, 2008, 7 to 9pm
Event details and Registration.
Workshop & Speed Dating: Sunday, February 24, 2008, 10am to 1pm
Event details and Registration - Experienced Farmers.
Workshop & Speed Dating: Sunday, February 24, 2008, 10am to 1pm
Event details and Registration - New Farmers.

February 24, 2008- Sugar: Refining the Truth- Sugar from the holistic nutrition perspective. We will explore the nutritional, cultural, and historical aspects of sugar. This three hour workshop will include a viewing of the documentary 'Big Sugar', followed by a discussion on discovering the truth through label reading and information on how to make the best sweet choices for yourself. With Paula Luther, RHN, Holistic Nutritionist, 604-254-4510. Contact instructor with any food allergies or sensitivities and for more information. Time: 1pm-4pm. Cost: $15.

To register: Britannia Community Centre, 604-718-5800. Space is limited – pre-registration required.

Did You Know?

Here are some fun facts about a market essential: eggs.

eggs The colour of the egg shell is not related to quality, nutrients, flavour, or cooking characteristics. White shelled eggs are produced by hens with white feathers and white ear lobes. Brown shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. Brown egg layers usually are slightly larger and require more food, thus brown eggs usually cost more than white eggs.

Fresh eggs take longer to boil, and whites from very fresh eggs are harder to whip. As an egg ages, an air pocket inside increases, the nutrient value declines, and the whites become thinner and more watery. Very fresh eggs maintain a tight shape when fried or poached, while older egg whites spread and the yolks do not keep a good dome shape.

To determine how fresh an egg is, place it in a bowl of plain water: If the egg is fresh, it will sink to the bottom and lie on its side. An older egg will stand up on one end and if the egg is REALLY old, the air pocket is so large it may even float.

Several vendors sell eggs at the Winter Farmers Market - don't forget to pick up a dozen or two the next time you visit.


January 2008 The Newsletter of Vancouver's Farmers Marketswww.eatlocal.org
What's In Season - January Apples, Beets, Cabbage, Chard, Garlic, Honey, Kale, Yellow Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Shittake Mushrooms, Winter Squash. Eggs, Dairy Products, Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Ostrich, Herring, Sablefish, Pacific Cod, Dungeness Crab, Clams, Oysters, Mussels. Adapted from a great guide to seasonal availability of BC products provided by Get Local . Print your copy or pick one up at the market later this month. Upcoming Winter Farmers Markets WISE Hall - 1882 Adanac Street 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, February 9 & 23 March 8 & 22 April 12 & 26 Market Poster Help us spread the word about the Winter Farmers Market. Download and print out a market poster and put it up where family, friends and the public will see - lunch rooms, laundry rooms, lobbies and notice boards. Stay tuned! Dates for the summer market season coming soon. Wholefood Recipe of the Month Winter Vegetable Hash Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 pound yellow potatoes, diced 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 small acorn squash, diced 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 clove garlic 1 pinch salt 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 cup chopped kale 4 sprigs fresh sage Directions: 1. Place oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Melt butter and mix in potatoes, mushrooms, pepper, squash, and shallot. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender. 2. Mix kale and sage into skillet. Continue cooking 5 minutes, until kale is wilted. Serve and enjoy! Bike to the Winter Market! We know it can be cold and wet in the winter time, but we'd like to encourage you to don the raingear and ride your bike to the WISE Hall. You'll feel refreshed and energized, and you won't have to look for parking at this busy event! There is plenty of space at the bike racks located directly out front of the hall. Travel Far with Eat Local! Do you proudly show your market shopping bag off when you travel abroad? (Well, you should!) Have you snapped a photo of yourself with your market bag while on vacation? If you've got the pictures, we want to publish them! Send us a photo of you and your market bag in a far-away place and we'll put it in the next issue of Market Share. This is an ongoing call for photos so send them in whenever you can. Photos can be sent to Jen in the market office either by mail or email (contact info below). Be sure to include where the photo was taken and your full name and address so we can thank you properly! Now get snapping! Market AGM Approaching	Welcome to the first issue of Market Share - the new name for the monthly newsletter of Vancouver's Farmers Markets. We think our new name describes what it is all about - sharing. Sharing news, sharing ideas, sharing time and in the case of the markets, sharing the bounty. We hope you continue to enjoy the information we bring you each month and we encourage you to share your comments with us. Thank you for supporting Vancouver's Farmers Markets! Upcoming Market Events Resolve to Eat Local This Year at the Winter Market! Now is the time for new year’s resolutions and what better change to make in 2008 than to eat local and support BC farmers? The Winter Market presents the perfect opportunity to do this every second and fourth Saturday of the month, at the WISE Hall on Adanac @ Victoria Dr. With locally sourced produce disappearing rapidly from supermarket shelves, Vancouverites may be surprised to learn of the variety of BC products available at the market in mid-winter. Hardy greens and cabbages, tree fruits such as apples, pears, and quinces, wild mushrooms, root crops, and onions and garlic are still coming in despite the cold weather. As well as farm products, shoppers can find a host of other foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, and baked goods, plus a wide variety of gourmet specialty product and craft. You can catch the Winter Market on the following dates: Feb. 9/08, Feb. 23/08, Mar. 8/08, Mar. 22/08, Apr. 12/08, and Apr. 26/08. Market time is 10 am- 2pm, and admission is free. The WISE Hall is located at 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive. Check out our line-up of nearly 40 vendors at the Winter Market by following this link: www.eatlocal.org/wfm/february.htm The Future of Farming in BC: A Speaker Series What is the future of farming in BC? What innovations will re-establish a sustainable food system that nourishes our population and supports farmers? Your Local Farmers Market Society, in conjunction with the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, Kwantlan University College, presents an inspiring and solutions oriented three part speaker series at the Langley Campus of Kwantlan University College. See details. Vendor News Applications for the 2008 season have just gone out. We are looking for more vendors to join our diverse and growing markets. Here's what we need for 2008: bread bakers & cheese makers beef, bison, poultry, lamb & pork vendors ground crop growers - ie. root vegetables, Asian vegetables early season vegetable growers - ie. greenhouse vegetables At this time we are not accepting new vendors in the craft category. If you or someone you know are interested in joining the markets as a vendor, check out our Become a Vendor page on our website. Once you're ready to go, get in touch with our Office Administrator, Jen at jen@eatlocal.org or 604-879-3276 for an application package. Community Events January 5-February 23, 2008- Business Planning For Farms- Helping Assure Sustainability and Success- Six morning sessions. The workshop is being led by Dr. Kent Mullinix of the College's Institute of Sustainable Horticulture with support from regional agricultural experts. Participants will have the opportunity to develop an individual business plan while hearing from experts on such topics as financial management and marketing. Women seeking to start a farm venture or anyone contemplating diversification of their farm or agricultural business through value-added agricultural enterprise will find the workshop particularly useful. Detailed information is available at http://www.drsociety.bc.ca/ February 3, 2008-"Condemned", a Downtown Eastside opera- An insightful look into the lives of the DES community, "Condemned" tells the tale of a group of residents facing eviction who decide to stand up and fight. Written by a team of writers living in the community and originally performed in October of 2006 at the Carnegie Centre, this opera returns by popular demand to the Westside venue of St. James Community Square, 3214 W. 10th Ave. Time: 7pm. Cost: tickets are $15(suggested minimum). Call 604 731-0599, or email mel_lehan22@hotmail.com for tickets and info. February 10, 2008- Eating Through the Seasons the Vegan Way - Winter Explore the joys of eating in harmony with the earth.This four hour hands on cooking workshop will offer nutritional information & cooking techniques to support your body as it goes through the natural cycle of winter. Bring your appetite for knowledge and good food. Contact instructor with any food allergies or sensitivities. Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm, Room 102, Britannia Secondary School. Cost: $45. February 23, 24- Growing New Farmers: The Next Generation Speakers: John Anderson (See Bio) Chris Bodnar (See Bio), Glen Valley Organic Farm Presentation: Saturday, February 23, 2008, 7 to 9pm Event details and Registration. Workshop & Speed Dating: Sunday, February 24, 2008, 10am to 1pm Event details and Registration - Experienced Farmers. Workshop & Speed Dating: Sunday, February 24, 2008, 10am to 1pm Event details and Registration - New Farmers. February 24, 2008- Sugar: Refining the Truth- Sugar from the holistic nutrition perspective. We will explore the nutritional, cultural, and historical aspects of sugar. This three hour workshop will include a viewing of the documentary 'Big Sugar', followed by a discussion on discovering the truth through label reading and information on how to make the best sweet choices for yourself. With Paula Luther, RHN, Holistic Nutritionist, 604-254-4510. Contact instructor with any food allergies or sensitivities and for more information. Time: 1pm-4pm. Cost: $15. To register: Britannia Community Centre, 604-718-5800. Space is limited – pre-registration required. Did You Know? Here are some fun facts about a market essential: eggs. The colour of the egg shell is not related to quality, nutrients, flavour, or cooking characteristics. White shelled eggs are produced by hens with white feathers and white ear lobes. Brown shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. Brown egg layers usually are slightly larger and require more food, thus brown eggs usually cost more than white eggs. Fresh eggs take longer to boil, and whites from very fresh eggs are harder to whip. As an egg ages, an air pocket inside increases, the nutrient value declines, and the whites become thinner and more watery. Very fresh eggs maintain a tight shape when fried or poached, while older egg whites spread and the yolks do not keep a good dome shape. To determine how fresh an egg is, place it in a bowl of plain water: If the egg is fresh, it will sink to the bottom and lie on its side. An older egg will stand up on one end and if the egg is REALLY old, the air pocket is so large it may even float. Several vendors sell eggs at the Winter Farmers Market - don't forget to pick up a dozen or two the next time you visit.
Vancouver Farmers Markets 1163 Commercial Dr, #2, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X3 Tel. 604-879-FARM (3276) i nfo@eatlocal.org Executive Director, Tara McDonald tara@eatlocal.org Office Administrator, Jenefer Pleadwell jen@eatlocal.org Assistant Operations Manager, Sarah McMillan sarah@eatlocal.org You have received this email because you sigend up for the monthly newsletter from Vancouver Farmers Markets. If you would no longer like to receive this newsletter, please click here and press send.