In This Issue
- Message from the President
- Highlights
- Marketing, Promotions & Public Engagement
- Education, Strengthening & Networking
- Funding, Resources & Opportunities
- Member Market Feature
- Social Media Tip
- In the Media
Message from the President
Happy Fall to you all!
For those of you wrapping up your season, hope it was a successful one, and to those of you moving into the winter market season, I hope all goes well. It’s such a colourful, bountiful time to celebrate farmers’ markets – so much amazing food!
Our new staff have been hard at work getting settled into their positions and diving in to advocating for our markets. They attended the Union of BC Municipalities Convention Trade Show (a great opportunity to connect with your local municipal leaders). I had the pleasure of stopping in where I got the chance to meet Tess and Gabrielle and hang out at the BCAFM booth with Heather for awhile. We had a lot of interest from mayors and councillors from all over the province. Many told us how great their markets are. BCAFM staff have also gathered with Destination BC to continue to promote BCAFM and the BC Farmers’ Market Trail, and continue to promote the Trail in your communities, particularly where markets are still in operation.
Your board of directors is gathering at the end of this month for our annual planning retreat. We will be doing some board development work as we have several new members, along with a refresh of our roles, responsibilities and mandate – always a good thing. We’ll also be tackling a few challenging topics, such as a dive into the challenge for our eastern members and their interest in accepting Albertan vendors within close proximity to their markets, as well as non-conforming products such as maple syrup. We are looking at how these issues are impacting our membership as a whole so if you have anything you’d like to share regarding this discussion please be in touch (president@bcfarmersmarket.org or 250-218-0321). Of course, any suggestions for changes to our bylaws would be brought to the membership for making any final decisions.
We will also be introducing the conversation around Indigenous reconciliation to our board and staff, and look forward to how BCAFM might bring this into our work in a meaningful way. We are also reaching out to the health authority around Temporary Food Guidelines hoping to advocate for change for our members and further develop that relationship. Some of the other topics up for discussion are: tourism and economic development and how farmers’ markets fit into that conversation, the future of farmers’ markets (millennials, online markets, zero waste, etc.), as well as a deep dive into rural and remote markets and their unique challenges.
As usual, please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions or concerns. It is a privilege and responsibility we do not take lightly and always appreciate any input you’d like to share.
Vickey
Farmers’ Market Mentoring Program returns this year!
Are you an experienced farmers’ market managers or executive directors, eager and prepared to share your experience and develop a supportive relationship with a mentee seeking guidance in the same field of work?
Apply to be a mentor HERE
Are you new to your position as market manager? Or looking for guidance on farmers’ market specific challenges such as vendor recruitment and mix, creating farmers’ market policies, or working with a non-profit board?
Apply to be a mentee HERE |
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SURVEY: Food Safety at Farmers’ Markets
As you are wrapping up the 2019 season, we would appreciate getting your feedback regarding food safety. We would like to know about any issues or questions that arose this season at your farmers’ market, and how current Guideline for Sale of Foods at Temporary Markets was implemented.
Please take a few minutes to answer the survey here before October 25th, 2019. |
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Wrapping up BC Farmers’ Market Trail Season #2
The second season of the BC Farmers’ Market Trail has been a great success with 4 new regions featured: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Northern BC, Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, in addition to the Kootenay Rockies & Columbia Basin which launched in 2018.
The team has been busy this year gathering beautiful photos, improving the Trail market finder, sending our regional brochures, and planning next season.
We still have a few regional brochures left for the following regions: Kootenay Rockies & Columbia Basin, Sunshine Coast, and Cariboo Chilcotin Coast. If you are interested in distributing some in your area to promote your winter or indoor market, contact us at info@bcfarmersmarket.org.
Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram to see and repost the farmers’ markets and farmers photos throughout the year. |
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Photo credit: BC Farmers’ Market Trail & Nathaniel Martin
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Photo credit: BC Farmers’ Market Trail & Stasia Garraway
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Join the conversation on accessibility and inclusion
The Government of B.C. is asking British Columbians to help define future legislation that will make B.C. a more accessible and inclusive province. The opportunity to provide feedback will be open until November 29, 2019.
Find out how your farmers’ market can share feedback.
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Province seeking feedback on growing farming, protecting farmland
The provincial government is inviting people to have their say on how best to encourage farming and protect farmland throughout British Columbia. Feedback can be submitted until November 15, 2019. Completing the online questionnaire, attend an in-person meeting, and/or make a formal submissions.
Have your say here!
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October is National Farm to School Month!
Join thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country in celebrating food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients.
Here are several easy ways to get involved. |
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Education, Strengthening & Networking
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BCAFM Fall/Winter Webinar Series
SAVE THE DATE! An update on organic certification regulations
December 3rd | 10:30-11:30am
In this webinar, recent changes to Organic Certification Regulation in BC and the reasons behind the change will be described. Moreover, we will go over the policy guidelines, namely what activities require certification, and what it means for producers, processors, and retailers. Participants will be able to ask questions during a question period. Registration will open shortly. |
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Young Agrarians BC Business Mentorship Program
The Young Agrarians BC Business Mentorship Network pairs new farmers with veterans of small scale agriculture to cultivate the skills for running ecologically sustainable and financially viable businesses. Mentors will work to help them analyze their operations and chart a course to move forward towards financial sustainability. The application is open now until November 3, 2019. |
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| Designing Remarkable Experiences
Join Destination BC and your local Regional DMO for a two-day workshop intended to learn more about how your farmers’ market business can deliver local, authentic experiences that are designed with the BC traveler in mind.
Find a workshop near you here. |
| Content Marketing Strategy
Join Destination BC and your Regional DMO for a one-day workshop dedicated to helping you develop a strategy that will enable you to educate, entertain, and inform potential customers across digital channels.
Find a workshop near you here. |
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| Planning to refresh your website, or want to learn how to use Google My Business and create a TripAdvisor Listing? Find more digital marketing tools and tips here. |
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Funding, Resources & Opportunities
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Buy BC Partnership Program (First deadline: November 1, 2019)
Local Food Infrastructure Fund (Deadline: November 1, 2019) |
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More tools, resources and publications for your needs!
Browse the Tools & Resources database for boards, market managers and vendors
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4-H British Columbia
Consider connecting and engaging with a 4-H club near you and see how you can support each other’s missions through your love of local food and agriculture.InTents – The Farmers’ Market Pros
For small farmer, food maker or market manager: InTents offers expert advice and ideas to grow your market business and to reduce your stress. Early bird registration for their annual conference (in San Diego) is open until October 16, 2019. |
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Congratulations to Paul Natrall of Mr Bannock for receiving BC Indigenous Business Award’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Paul is a frequent guest chef with his food truck at Squamish Farmers’ Market, often sourcing fresh, local ingredients from other vendors for farm-to-truck creations! Read more here.
Photo: North Shore News |
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| Engaging seasonal market patrons all year!
While many markets remain open throughout the shoulder and winter seasons, several have begun to bid farewell to their patrons, vendors and community until next year. We encourage all of you to keep up with your social media accounts to stay connected to your followers, particularly seasonal markets, so as to get customers excited about the next market season.
Not sure how to keep folks engaged? You can start by reading this short article How to Engage Seasonal Customers Year-Round on Instagram by Ally Scott. We also welcome you to continue using the following hashtags as you see fit:
- #BCFarmersMarket
- #BCFarmersMarketTrail
- #ExploreBC
- #EatDrinkBC
- #EatLocal
- #BuyBC
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- Red Headed Patti, Matthew Carr talks @BCFarmersMarket, Young Farmers, And The Importance Of Family
- Red Headed Patti, Trailblazing BC Women – BC Farmers Markets Executive Director Heather O’Hara
- Red Headed Patti, Will You Discover The Secrets Of The @BCFarmersMarket Trail?
- Westcoast Families, Your Guide To BC’s Best Farmers’ Markets
- Delta Optimist, Delta growers and consumers are embracing farm-to-table
- D. Rigo Photography, BC Farmers’ Market Trail
- BC Local News, Love the Revelstoke markets? Visit the other 145 across the province
- Revelstoke Review, Love the Revelstoke markets? Visit the other 145 across the province
- The Columbia Valley Pioneer, Largest area farmers’ market disqualified from B.C. listing due to Alberta vendors
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