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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

It’s 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 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."

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

 
June 23 2007
16 June 2007 9 June 2007 2 June 2007  
May 2007      
26 May 2007 19 May 2007 12 May 2007
October 2006      
7 Oct 2006
September 2006
30 Sept 2006  23 Sept 2006  16 Sept 2006 9 Sept 2006 
2 Sept 2006      
August 2006      
26 August 2006 19 August 2006 12 August 2006  5 August 2006
July 2006      
29 July 2006  22 July 2006 15 July 2006   1 July 2006
June 2006
  24 June 2006   17 June 2006   10 June 2006   3 June 2006
 May 2006      
27 May 2006

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: .

2008 AFCM Vendor Application
2008 AFCM Vendor Application
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
100 - 32383 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford

 

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.

2008 Entertainer Application
2008 Entertainer Application 
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
100 - 32383 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
•  Part of the set-up/clean-up crew

2008 AFCM Volunteer Application
2008 AFCM Volunteer Application
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
100 - 32383 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.

2008 AFCM Community Booth Application 
2008 AFCM Community Booth Application
EMAIL to info@abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
or FAX your application to 604.864.5769, or DROP IT OFF at
100 - 32383 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford