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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

 ____________________ 

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. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

It’s 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 it’s 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"! 

                                

Winter Markets

The Market will carry on through the winter with the following schedule:

February 12 to 28 -                                                                            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

________________________________

                                                


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

2009 Outdoor Markets
09 May 2009 16 May 2009 23May 2009 30 May 2009
06 June 2009 13 June 2009 20 June 2009 27 June 2009
04 July 2009 11 July 2009 18 July 2009 25 July 2009
1  August 2009 8  August 2009 15  August 2009 22 August 2009
29 August 2009 5 September 2009 12 Sept 2009 19 Sept 2009
 26 Sept 2009   3 October 2009   10 October 2009 17 October 2009
24 Oct 2009  31 Oct 2009
Winter Indoor Markets
21 Nov 2009 05 Dec 2009 19 Dec 2009

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: .

2010 Vendor Application - PDF
2010  Vendor Application - MS WORD
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
#1 - 31726 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
 

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. 

2010 Entertainer Application
2010 Entertainer Application 
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
#1 - 31726 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
 

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

2010 AFCM Volunteer Application
2010 AFCM Volunteer Application
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
#1 - 31726 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford

 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.

2010 AFCM Community Booth Application 
2010 AFCM Community Booth Application
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
#1 - 31726 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford