Public Service Announcement

The Friends of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market will be holding a Public Information and Discussion Session at the Gower Street United Church Hall from 2pm – 4pm. on Saturday 20 February. The meeting will discuss the formation of a Co-operative to own and operate the Market. If you are a farmer, a craft vendor, or someone interested in buying and promoting fresh local food, please come and contribute your thoughts. If you wish to learn more about the Market or the co-operative visit www.StJohnsFarmersMarket.org.

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Press Release

Issued: February 10, 2010

from

The Friends of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market Inc.

Farmers’ Market to become a Co-operative

Through the concerted efforts of a group of volunteers dedicated to making fresh local food available to the St. John’s area, the St. John’s Farmers’ Market has operated two very successful years at the Lions Chalet on Mayor Ave. The growing success of this effort has demonstrated that the people of St. John’s want and need a permanent Farmers’ Market. Equally, farmers in the Southeastern part of the island find it a valuable outlet for their produce and a wonderful place to meet the people who buy it.

All across the country there is a growing movements to ensure access to fresh local farm products. “Buy Local” and “City Meets the Farm” campaigns have sprung up in most cities and towns in the country. In St. John’s we have seen an increasing interest in all aspects of having local food: community garden plots, back yard gardening in the downtown, supports to develop safer soils, and, of course, the Farmers’ Market. Similar things are happening in towns across the province. In the Fall, the province’s first Conference on Farmers’ Markets was organized by the St. John’s Market and the Food Security Network. People came from Woody Point to Fogo Island to Conception Bay to share experiences and begin to network.

The Friends of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market see a very bright future for our own Market and want to help others achieve the same success. To do so, we need to form a solid foundation that can provide for the future and reflect the various interests of all of its stakeholders: Farmers, food producers, craftspeople and interested individuals.

“As a co-operative”, says Colin Greene, President of the Friends of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, “ both producers and consumers can grow this amazing community experience to something the region can be proud to call their own”.

Through their co-op, Market can be sure it can effectively serve both the farmers who produce our food and the people who want to buy it. Anyone who is part of either of these perspectives can become a member and help build a future for the Market.

To find out more about the future of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market and its co-operative plans, come to a Public Information Meeting at The Gower Street Church Hall on Saturday, 20 February, 2010, from 2 – 4 pm.

For more about the Market visit www.StJohnsFarmersMarket.org

Contact Person:

Colin Greene, Pres.

Phone: 709 579 0890

Email: colin@stjohnsfarmersmarket.org

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If you’ve been a vendor before, or have been thinking about becoming one, just fill out our form and our lovely and talented Market Manager will be in touch.

You can apply to be a vendor here.

See you at the Market!

Gower Street United Church Hall
Saturday, Feb 20th from 2pm – 4pm

The meeting will discuss the formation of a Co-operative to own and operate the Market. If you are a farmer, a craft vendor, or someone interested in buying and promoting fresh local food, please come and contribute your thoughts.

Note to Vendors: We are all booked up for the remaining market, but please check back with us next spring as the market will be starting up again in June, 2010.

SEPTEMBER
Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Cucumber, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Partridgeberries, Pears, Peas, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Radish, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnip, Salad greens

OCTOBER
Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Celery, Chard, Cranberries, Daikon, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Kohlrabi, Late greens, Leeks, Onions, Parsnip, Potatoes, Pumpkin & Winter squash

NOVEMBER
Brussel sprouts, Carrots, Chard, Daikon, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Late greens, Parsnip, Potatoes, Winter squash

Join us on Thursday, August 13 at the Lion’s Chalet on Bonaventure Avenue for an amazing night with food by the International Womens’ Association, a silent auction, and the music of Sherry Ryan, Dan Ficken, The Picket Line, Colleen Power, Dust Radio and more!

Tickets are $30 single, or just $10 to hear the bands and are available by:

Calling Lori at 579 0890
Or emailing feastival@stjohnsfarmersmarket.org

Or by visiting:
The St. John’s Farmers’ Market on July 25th and August 8th.
Fred’s Records – 753 9191
Hava Java – 753 5282
O’Brien’s Music Store – 753 8135

Check out the official website for more details at feastival.ca