News

3rd ANNUAL SUMMER FETE IN PHOEBE NOBLE'S GARDEN

We're pleased to announce that Sandra Holloway (Phoebe's daughter) has invited us back to stage our 3rd Summer Fete in her garden on Sunday, June 23rd, from 1:00 to 4:00! This year, we'll be featuring 2 local beverage producers, Domaine Rochette (from Victorian Epicure) with local wines, and Sea Cider with their popular local ciders.  Some of our wonderful artists will be returning (Judy McLaren, Stephanie Steele, Heather Goulet), and we'll be featuring some new artists (Maggie Warkentine).  Brad Prevedoros will again entertain and inspire us with his music, and Sandra will be on hand to educate and enlighten us with stories of her mother, and tips to create a vegetable garden like her beautiful example in the heart of  the garden.  We'll also be raffling a painting created by Judy McLaren in the garden last year (Phoebe's Orchard, 2012).  Tickets for the event are $20 for NSFFS members and $25.00 for non-members.  Tickets for the raffle are 1/$5.00 or 3/$10.00.  All proceeds support the work of our Society and our efforts to support and sustain a year-round local food system.

 

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TRADITIONAL FOODS PIT COOK FOR OUR FINAL MARKET HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Unfortunately, we've had to cancel our Traditional Foods Pit Cook for our final market.

We're hoping to reschedule for next spring - stay tuned!

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2nd ANNUAL SUMMER FETE IN THE GARDEN

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Events

GENEROUS VANCITY GRANT ENABLES US TO HIRE A MARKET MANAGER!

North Saanich Food for the Future board members, Diana Chown, Ashley Stelck, Susan McIntyre and Kathy Scott accept a cheque from Danella Parks,
Community Development Manager, Vancity (second from right).

Thanks to a generous grant from VanCity's enviroFund, the North Saanich Farm Market has been able to hire a Market Manager for the 2012 season.  Susy Abbey joined the market in June, and will be on hand every Saturday to interact with vendors and customers.  Her mandate is to expand our profile in the community, and to seek out new growers and crafters to make our market even more vibrant and supportive of the local economy and food sustainability. To contact Susy to become a full- or part-time vendor, email her at info@northsaanichfarmmarket.ca, or stop by the market any Saturday morning.

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Vancity’s  Visa enviroFund™is distributing a total of a quarter of a million dollars in grants to support  21 farmers’ markets that bring  local, natural and organic food to communities throughout the region.  For many years, Vancity has been funding  environmental initiatives focused on developing a sustainable local food system. Farmers’ markets contribute to a healthier environment, improved individual health and help build a more resilient local economy.
“Our cardholders make it possible to provide funding to the local farmers’ markets by choosing to use their enviro Visa card when making daily purchases,’ says Jean-Marc Handfield, Vice President Payment Solutions and Member Services Centre.  “This initiative is a great example of our philosophy of working together with our members to help build sustainable communities that can prosper and thrive.”
Elizabeth Quinn, Executive Director of the BC Association of Farmers' Marketssays the funding will be great for all the farmers' markets in the region. “Strong vibrant markets really support farmers in offering fresh local food.  Eating locally grown food also encourages the use of local farmland, and keeps the money in the region supporting the local economy," says Quinn.

In addition to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, others benefiting  from a financial boost from  the enviroFund™  included the North Saanich Food for the Future Society, an organization that operates the North Saanich Farm Market.


Since 2007 Vancity and the Vancity Community Foundation have supported farmer’s markets in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley by providing nearly $600,000 towards initiatives that support expansion, marketing, linking chefs with farmers,  helping the Vancouver Farmers’ Market Society become a permanent fixture in local neighbourhoods and  supporting the creation of the New City Market, a year-round facility in Vancouver that will support the sustainability of local farms.

Did you know?

  •  Fresh produce sold at BC farmers' markets travels less than 300 km to get to the consumer. Compare this to the average North American meal, which travels 2,400 km to get from field to plate and contains ingredients from five countries in addition to our own. All the transportation results in a lot of fossil fuels being burned which contributes to air pollution, acid rain and climate change.
  • Over 75 per cent of farmers selling at farmer’s markets are certified organic or use natural methods of farming.
  • 25 per cent of farmers have been farming for less than five years.
  • Over the summer Vancity will be giving away 15,000 vouchers valued at $5 at various Vancity community eventswhich can be redeemed at farmer’s markets to support the purchase of  local, natural and organic food.

 
WINTER MARKET LAUNCHING

We'll be holding four winter/spring markets in early 2011 — it kicks off on Saturday, February 5th, also the date for our first annual Seedy Saturday. After that, look for us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from March to May 2011 (Mar. 12, Apr. 9, and May 14).

Watch for more information on our vendors and products for these market dates. Tickets for our 50/50 draw are 1 for $2 or 3 for $5, and the draws are held at 11:00 on market days (we'll call you to let you know the good news if you can't stay for the draw). All funds raised help support the iniatives of the North Saanich Food for the Future Society.

GROWING HOME PROGRESSIVE LUNCH POSTPONED

Location: Place to place to place in Deep Cove :)

The North Saanich Food for the Future Society is delaying the Growing Home Progressive Lunch until next spring.  We'll have the same venues, but a new menu featuring spring treats and lush green gardens.  If you've never heard of a Progressive Lunch, find out how it works here.

Hosted by: Many, many kind people

$75.00
NORTH SAANICH FLAVOUR TRAIL COMING THE WEEKEND OF AUG. 21/22

Plan to take part in the North Saanich Flavour Trail on the weekend of August 21st and 22nd.  Tour local farms and eateries, listen to readings by well-known local authors, discover some of the history of the district and be part of its future.  Most events are free.  Find out more at www.northsaanich.ca (click on "Flavour Trail" in the right column).

PROMISE OF SPRING LUNCHEON

11403 Westview Place, North Saanich

Thank you to all who attended The Promise of Spring Luncheon.  A special thanks to: Tina Fraser Baynes for sourcing and cooking the delicious food; Sommelier Kami Lee Rob of Wine Pixie Cellar Management for pairing the wines; and Jennifer and David Johns for hosting the event.  

The food and wine was sourced from the following local providers:

  • Walnuts.   Baliwick Farm on McTavish Road.
  • Garlic greens, mint, thyme, radishes.  Corner Farm, 930 Towner Park Road.
  • Asparagus.  Hi-Lo Farm, Brentwood Bay.
  • Leeks.  Kildara Farm, Chalet Road.
  • Celery Root.  Robins Farm Stand on Tatlow Road (just past Laurel Road).
  • Halibut.  Satellite Fish Company, Sidney
  • Wines:  Muse Winery (Chalet Road), Sea Cidary (St Michael Road).
$60.00. Limit of 16 guests.
GROW TERRIFIC TOMATOES WORKSHOP - Tina's Top Tip

Corner Farm, 930 Towner Park Road, North Saanich

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Grow Terrific Tomatoes workshop on April 3, and a special thanks to Tina Fraser Baynes for leading the session. 


Tina's Top Tip for terrific tomatoes is to water evenly throughout the season.  While the roots of tomatoes can grow beyond an amazing eight feet most of the roots remain in the top 12-18 inces of the soil.  Water by drip-irrigation or some method where the foliage and fruit is not getting wet.  This helps to prevent pathogens from splashing onto the plant from the soil and prevents fruit from cracking.

Hosted by Tina Baynes

$20.00 non-members. $15.00 members. Limit of 12 participants.
SUPER SOIL - Saturday March 20, 10 am to noon

539 Downey Road, North Saanich

A group of enthusiastic gardeners gathered at the Deep Cove garden of Heather Goulet on March 20th to learn how to replenish and maintain their soil.

The Super Soil workshop was taught by Heather and North Saanich organic farmer Tina Fraser Baynes.  Participants learned about soil structure, maintaining hospitable conditions for life within the soil, cover crops and other factors in ecological food growing.

Tina Baynes demonstates soil structure.

Tina Fraser Baynes gets her hands dirty to demonstrate soil structure.

Hosted by Heather Goulet and Tina Baynes

$20.00 non-members. $15.00 members. Limit of 12 participants.