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Summer Market
Dates Set
The 2010
outdoor season will
begin May 8th
and run for
twenty three
consecutive
weeks ending
October 9th.
Vendor application
forms are
now
available by clicking on
the
following links.
2010
Vendor Application -word
2010
Vendor Application - pdf
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Market
Launches
Strategic
Planning
Unprecedented
growth precipitates a new look forward. In
order to keep pace with the amazing growth in the last few years and
to ensure that we are doing everything we possibly can to ensure a
quality market that serves our customers, vendors, and the entire
community well, the Board of Directors has decided it is time to
update our strategic
plan.
The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market has seen 30% growth in both
vendor and customer participation in each of the last two years. All
indications are that this growth rate is not about to level off
anytime soon. And while that increased support is very gratifying,
it brings with it the necessity to be very sure that we will be
ready. We need to take a step back and examine how we can
accommodate this growth and still provide the quality experience
that has become the norm on Saturday
mornings.
We are lucky to have enlisted the help of two professionals
who have a long history with the market. Donna Dixson (Bernard) of
Flair Innovations and Joanne Severn from Rebar Creative were both
involved with the pre-planning and start-up for the market in
2003/2004 and have been avid market supporters every step of the
way. Donna
Dixson, founder of Flair Innovations was also the founding manager
of the
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market. Flair specializes
in collaborative marketing
programs for the agri-food and agri-tourism industries. She can help
plan a campaign, event, or other promotion, and help do it with
Flair! Joanne
Severn of Rebar Creative was the behind the scenes marketing
consultant that raised the bar in 2004, helping the Abbotsford Farm
and Country Market become the most successful market launch in BC
history! Joanne specializes in branding, marketing strategy, and
copywriting.
778.908.5110
www.doitwithflair.com
 604-855-0355
www.rebarcreative.com As
we move forward we hope that you will be able to enjoy the result of
our behind the scenes work. You may even get the chance to be an
active part implementing the plan as it rolls out. -
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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":
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Shelter
Community tents provided by Prospera
Credit Union, the Hospice Society and Summer Games Legacy. |
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Parking
2000 parking spaces are available in the downtown core for
your convenience. Market-goers may also park along
downtown streets. |
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Fast Cash
ATM available nearby. |
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Entertainment
main stage and "busker-style" local musicians. |
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Fresh
Local Produce |
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Great
Prepared Foods from BC |
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Unique
Artwork |
Market Day
Its Saturday morning, and colourful tents dot
Montrose Avenue from George Ferguson Way to Pine Street 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.
Founded in 2004 by a partnership which included Community Futures
South Fraser, Abbotsford Downtown Business Association and Tourism
Abbotsford, the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market (AFCM) 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."
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"!
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Winter Markets
The Market will carry on through
the winter with the following schedule:
February 12 to 28
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Abbotsford Community LiveSite
Celebration
During the 2010 Winter Olympics in February, we will
participate in a City of Abbotsford sponsored community Celebration
at the newly redeveloped Abbotsford Recreation Centre on Old Yale
Road near McMillan (the old McMillan pool site). Many of our regular
market vendors will participate along with other Abbotsford area
small businesses in a marketplace designed to highlight the primary
agriculture, food processing, arts and crafts produced by talented
small business people in the area.
The Marketplace will be open February 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
26, 27 and 28. Fridays the marketplace will operate from 5:00 to
9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 to
5:00.
The LiveSite Celebration will include Olympic
Games coverage on huge T.V screens, family activities, themed public
swims and skates, live music stage, free curling and beginners curling
clinics, concessions (including some of our vendors) and much more.
For update information about this huge community celebration visit www.abbylivesite.ca
See you in February at the celebration.
March 13 and 27
April 10 and 24
Each of the
Saturdays listed above we (except for a few hardy vendors) head
inside the United Church. Markets will run the same hours as the
outdoor markets - from 9:00 to 1:00.
Vendor application forms
are available for downloading, click on the links below.
2009/2010
winter markets application WORD
200910
winter markets application PDF
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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!
-pictures
courtesy Mark Forsythe from Almanac on CBC Radio One.
Here
comes the 2010 Outdoor Season
The vendors, volunteers, Board of Directors and management are
looking forward to the 2010 outdoor season which begins May 8th.
For the last two summers we've welcomed record numbers of customers
and vendors. In 2009 we welcomed hundreds of customers who had not previously used
the market as part of their weekly shopping and added some great new vendors,
averaging around 35 each week .
We will again offer live entertainment every Saturday and
the seats under big Prospera tent will be available for enjoying the music and having a snack from the United Church
concession and/or one of our vendors.
For vendors, farmers' markets are increasingly popular as a great place to test new products, diversify
income, and interact directly with customers in a relaxed, friendly
setting. Vendors find markets invaluable for promoting their
businesses to boost year-round and non-market day sales. Vendor applications are welcome.
Our 2010 summer season dates cover 23 consecutive Saturdays beginning
May 8th.
Application forms are available here: .
Entertainers WANTED for 2010!
With a heavy daily customer turn-out, the Market provides an
excellent venue for entertainers to practice in front of live
audiences, promote themselves 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, performing
customer counts & surveys,
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.
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