|
Pancake
Breakfast
Will
Kick off Outdoor
Season
Join
us May 17th when the Knights Of Columbus again prepare pancakes, BC
Pork sausages and juice for the first 200 market customers.
Breakfast
begins at 9:00 a.m. sponsored by the BC Pork Producers.
What to Expect
A common question from people who hear
about the market is "what can I expect when I get there?" Here are
some of the little things that will make this market "the place to be
on Saturday mornings":
| |
Shelter
Community tents provided by Prospera
Credit Union, the Hospice Society and Summer Games Legacy. |
| |
|
| |
Parking
2000 parking spaces are available in the downtown core for
your convenience. Market-goers may also park along
downtown streets. |
| |
|
| |
Fast Cash
ATM available nearby. |
| |
|
| |
Entertainment
main stage and "busker-style" local musicians. |
| |
|
| |
Fresh
Local Produce |
| |
|
| |
Great
Prepared Foods from BC |
| |
|
| |
Unique
Artwork |
Market Day
Its Saturday morning, and colourful tents dot the
community parking lot in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. Local produce
growers, small-scale food producers, and creative artisans have just
completed the finishing touches on their booths, and not a minute
too soon. The shoppers have arrived, browsing among the aromatic
baked goods and vibrant salad greens, the colorful handmade soaps
and harvest-fresh apples. A local band breaks out in song.
Welcome to the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market.
In 2008 the market begins May 17th and the season will conclude on
October 11th.
Founded in 2004 by a partnership which included Community Futures
South Fraser, Abbotsford Downtown Business Association and Tourism
Abbotsford, the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market quickly established
itself as the premiere market in the Fraser Valley for locally grown
and made products. Quality standards for the Market are high and all
products must be grown, processed, baked or handmade in British
Columbia. Vendors are approved by an adjudication process and there are a
wide range of products, some of which change with the seasons as
fresh harvests are brought in.
Market Manager Bruce Fatkin says that the secret to the success of
the AFCM is the very high level of community support in Abbotsford.
Local business and industry, the City of Abbotsford, Downtown
Business Association, Community and Service clubs, volunteers,
vendors and our customers all contribute. They all help to make this
one of the most vibrant and exciting Markets in BC.
"At a time when most developed societies depend on third world food
sources," Fatkin says, "British Columbia Is fortunate enough to
produce 50% of its own food. A major reason for this is the rich
agricultural areas like Abbotsford, which alone produces 25% of the
$500,000,000 British Columbia annual agricultural output. And, at a
time when most agricultural regions depend on one, or a few, crops,
the variety of products from Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley is
truly astonishing. Almost all experts agree that the food that is
best for you (and the most delicious) is the food grown close by.
This is a chance to have some of that best food and meet some of the
people who grow, process and prepare it."
The market launched on July 17th 2004, which coincided with the
official formation of the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market Society,
a non-profit group run by interested vendors, community members, and
community organizations.
Visitors can expect the offerings to change with the seasons, moving
from spring produce like rhubarb and berries, to artichokes and such
exotics as tomatillos and miniature melons though to Fall bounties
of beets and other root vegetables, pumpkins, apples, and fresh
cranberries.
Put it on your calendar and we'll
"see you at the market"!
|
|
May
17 - October 11, 2008
in Historic Downtown Abbotsford
Saturday mornings | 9:00
am to 1:00 pm
Montrose Avenue - North of George Ferguson Way
Market Newsletter
For a taste of the Saturday morning action at the Abbotsford Farm &
Country Market, please check out the following editions of the
Market Thymes newsletter
Some of the Sights from the Market!
Vendors/Market Set Sales Records!
Thanks to tremendous support from our customers, vendors continued
to report
excellent sales during the 2007 season. On a rainy day in mid-June,
the Market set a gross daily sales record. And again in July, on
Berry Beat Festival weekend we eclipsed previous sales for all
vendors combined. In both cases the margins over previous
high-volume days were significant; in the range of $2,000.00 plus
better than previous records. The Market asks vendors to report
gross sales at the end of each Market day. It is from these reports
that we are able to track combined sales for the Market and daily
average sales for our vendors by grouping (growers/farmers, food
producers and crafters/artisans). The challenge for Market organizers is to continue to provide new
and different produce and fruit, processed food, arts and crafts to
offer our customers. The Market provides a very affordable vehicle
to profile products and services, diversify farm income and promote local businesses.
Vendor applications are welcome.
Application forms are available here: .
Entertainers WANTED for 2008!
With a heavy daily customer turn-out, the Market provides an
excellent venue for entertainers to practice in front of live
audiences, promote themselves or their groups and have some fun.
Friends of the Market
Want to be part of the Market?
Are you interested in being a part of the Abbotsford Farm &
Country Market, but you do not make, bake, or grow your own unique
product?
Would you like to take part in this fun, exciting new venture,
meet new people, and help out your community?
If you answered yes to these questions, we have an opportunity
for you!
If you would like to volunteer for the Abbotsford Farm &
Country Market, there are positions available if you are
interested in being:
Part of our Marketing Team
A Host/Hostess at our information booth
Part of the set-up/clean-up crew
Community Booth
Are you a community organization looking to
publicize you resources and services?
If so, YOU ARE INVITED to submit an application for a time slot
at the Abbotsford Farm and Country Market Community Booth. The
booth will be available every week to a community group or
organization. If your organization would like great public
exposure, or if you would simply like to be a part of this
exciting market, please download the Community Booth application
below.
|
