With the Royal City Farmers Market slated to open in three weeks, organizers couldn't be more excited about the upcoming season.
"This year is definitely going to be something wonderful," operations manager Melissa Maltais told the Record. "It's our biggest one yet."
The Thursday affair, which runs from May 21 to Oct 8 in Tipperary Park, will stretch along the grassy area to Queen's Avenue during July and August – a first for the city.
Maltais said the extra space will allow for an extra 12 vendors to set up shop, bringing the total number of stalls to 55 during those two months. Compared to the roughly 15 stalls in 2007 when the market first opened, it’s a significant increase, according to the self proclaimed “food geek.”
There are going to be more artisans - from painters to jewelry makers - and everything in between, Maltais added. Organizers will also be introducing culinary demos, where they'll have snacks for kids and food recipes for babies.
The New Westminster Public Library, meanwhile, will host a story time session on site once a month. And if hunger strikes, there will be a food truck on hand.
Back by popular demand this year is the kids' mini-market, where youngsters get a crack at selling their goodies to the public.
"A lot of them sold out last year and would go and buy bags of popcorn or lots of cookies," Maltais joked.
Not returning this summer is Glen Valley Organic Farm. Filling its shoes, however, will be Surrey's Zaklan Heritage Farm, she said.
The venue is so popular that Maltais has had to turn away vendors and create a wait list.
The trick, she said, is to make sure the market has a good mix of everything, so people are not overwhelmed by the same products.
"As much as I would like to take four or five jam vendors, we have some that are senior to the market that I have to take into consideration. I want everyone to run their business at a profit, too," Maltais said. "And we also have to think about our customers. What are they looking for? What feedback have they provided in surveys?"
The New West resident said buying local is definitely on the rise, with more and more people wanting to know where their food comes from.
"These people are growing our food as close as 15 kilometres away. You're able to talk to the farmers and get to know them," she added.
The Royal City Farmers Market generates approximately one million dollars a year in revenue for the local economy, according to Maltais, while foot traffic is about 1,500 people every Thursday.
Putting on the weekly event is no easy feat though. Maltais noted there's a "core group" of volunteers the board depends on.
"We help vendors set up, help pop up their tents. We bring people water on hot days, and relieve them for bathroom breaks," she said. "I've gone to functions with other market managers and, again and again, they all tell me how they hear about our amazing volunteer service."
All in all, Maltais is most proud of how the market has been able to bring the community together.
"During the summer, we would look out into the park and there would be blankets and kids and people having picnics. It really was a great use of Tipperary Park," she said.
The first market on May 21 will have cake and a children's choir to kick things off. Hours of operation are 3 to 7 p.m.
"I have a vision of what it's going to look like in my head, and I think it's going to be fabulous," Maltais said.
To volunteer or for more information, visit rcfm.ca.
