Save BC Farmland

Save BC Farmland Hill Top Farm, Oliver BC. Photo credit: Alberto Jaramillo As fans and supporters of Vancouver Farmers Markets and the 240 farmers and producers we represent, we urge you to act now to save BC's farmland. The Agricultural Land Reserve is BC's farmland, a provincial zone where agricultural is recognized as the primary use and non-agricultural land use is controlled. Now the ALR is under threat from speculators, over 900 of whom want to exclude farmland for other uses such as oil and gas exploration, and resort and residential development. The BC Ministry of Agriculture is currently crafting new legislation that will weaken the mandate of the ALR, allowing for economic expansion and real estate development within its borders that will reduce the amount of farmland in the province. Act now to save farmland in BC! What You Can Do: Get Informed! Read up on the ALR and the changes proposed by the BC Government. Here are some helpful links from other organizations active in saving the ALR: Farmland Protection Coalition: http://farmlandprotection.ca/alr-101/ BC Food Systems Network: http://bcfsn.org/what-we-do/protecting-the-agriculture-land-reserve/ Sign A Postcard: VFM will have "We Love the ALR" postcards available for signing this Saturday at the Winter Market, so come by and show your support! Our postcard campaign will be ongoing at the markets over the next few weeks, and we'll mail them weekly to the Ministry of Agriculture via parcel mail.   Write A Letter: The BC government needs to hear directly from you. Write (preferably via lettermail) to the Premier, Minister of Agriculture, and your local MLA, expressing your concerns for the future of the ALR and BC's farmland. A great template can be found on the Farmland Protection Coalition's website at: http://farmlandprotection.ca/write-to-the-premier/ Join the Online Campaign: Sign the change.org online petition: http://chn.ge/1p8EV0b  Spread the Word: Follow and share the ongoing story of the ALR onFacebook and Twitter Sleeping Mountain Organic Farm, Yarrow BC Photo Credit: Laura Smit Become A VFM Member!     Not a VFM Member yet? Make March the month you sign on to help us build healthy community spaces across Vancouver that keep BC farms in production! Since 1995, our markets have been weekly gathering places where Vancouverites can connect with each other and the farmers and producers who grow our food. When you become a VFM Member, you pledge your support for vibrant urban neighbourhoods and a healthy regional food system for BC. Your membership dollars help us pay for equipment and supplies, run special events and educational programming, and build new markets throughout the city. And membership comes with benefits! On top of the great discounts you'll receive at the markets on Member Appreciation Days, you'll also get 15% off Market Merch and free Market Money transactions!  Cherry Tomato Membership - $10 Includes: 15% discount on Market Merchandise Great discounts with vendors on Member Appreciation Day Free Market Money transactions on Member Appreciation Day Free admission and front-of-the-line access to Holiday Market Annual VFM Membership (including voting rights at AGM) NEW!! Heirloom Tomato Membership - $50 Includes: All of the Cherry benefits, plus: Complimentary Market T-towel, 100% linen, made in Vancouver featuring Jane Koo’s illustrations Complimentary Gift Membership for friend or family member Beefsteak Tomato - $100 Includes: All of the Cherry benefits, plus: Complimentary Market Tote Bag, 100% cotton, made in Vancouver featuring Jane Koo’s illustrations Complimentary Gift Membership for friend or family member Recognition as a donor on our website Join us today online, or at any Market location at the red Info Tent.  Spring Vendor Updates Sunflower sprouts from Vancouver Food Pedalers It sure feels like we've turned the corner once more on Old Man Winter, and Spring is in the air these days at the markets. Early shoots, sprouts, and greens are making an appearance at various farm stalls, so be sure to look out for arugula, onion tops, and spinach from Klippers Organics,wildcrafted nettle from The Promised Land Farm, a variety of sproutsand microgreens from Good Time Farming and Vancouver Food Pedalers, and lettuce mix from Shalefield Organics. For an early taste of summer, look no further than the Applebarn. They return April 5 with a selection of mini and bell peppers, potted pepper plants, eggplants, and cherry tomatoes. Our advice? Get there early before they sell out! Welcome Back: Applebarn Pumpkin Farm - April 5, Empire Valley Beef - March 22, Metro Vancouver City Farms - April 5, Organic Farm Connection - April 12, Preserved BC Sunshine - March 22, Soban Organic Farm - April 12, Southern Acres Nursery & Farm - April 5, Twin Oaks Farm - April 12 Goodbye For Now: Fruit Guy Farms - last date March 22,Lamington Heritage Farm - last date April 5, Petkof Kiwi Production - last date April 5 For a detailed and up-to-date list of who's at the Markets each week, check out our online Interactive Market Maps!   Winter Markets Shop local all winter long! Winter Farmers Market -Saturdays, 10am - 2pm at Nat Bailey Stadium, 30th and Ontario. Nov 2 - Apr 26 Longing for summer? Stay tuned for the latest info and on our 7 weekly summer locations: Kerrisdale Village, Kitsilano, Main Street Station, Mt. Pleasant, Trout Lake, West End, and Yaletown!   Winter Drop Spot Locations No compost facilities available in your building or co-op? Recycle your food scraps this winter at the following drop spots: Winter Market - Saturdays, 10am - 2pm at 30th and Ontario. Nov 2 - April 26. West End Community Centre - Saturdays, 10am - 12pm Gordon Neighbourhood House - Tuesdays, 6pm - 7:30pm and Saturdays, 10am - 12pm $2 per drop helps to cover the costs of pickup and hauling Like us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend   At the Market this Month: Produce: Apples, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery Root, Chard, Garlic, Green Onions, Hazelnuts, Fresh Herbs, Honey, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce Mix, Microgreens, Mushrooms, Nettles, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Rutabaga, Salad Greens, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Sunchokes, Tomatoes (preserved), Turnips. Meat and Dairy: Cheese - Cow & Goat's Milk, Eggs, Meat - Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pork, Turkey, Seafood - Clams, Cod, Halibut, Mussels, Oysters, Sablefish, Salmon, Shrimp, Tuna   16,250 = the total number of acres of farm and ranchland that VFM vendors keep in production each year Health Tips For Spring with Enerex Botanicals Our Winter Market sponsors, Enerex Botanicals, know a lot about healthy lifestyle. As local makers of whole food and nutritional supplements, they strive to educate the public about the importance of eating well, exercising, and supplementation. Each month Enerex will share tips and advice on seasonal eating and nutrition with Market Share subscribers, and shoppers can also find their nutritionists and herbalists onsite at the Winter Market on April 5.   Healthy Foods for the Seasonal Transition As the season changes from winter to spring and the temperature begins to rise, our bodies also go through a transition. As winter often creates a craving for hearty stews that provide solid nutrition and warm the body, spring offers the opportunity to do some “spring cleaning.” Using a spring cleanse to rid your body of built-up toxins is a great way to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, boost metabolism and energy levels, and benefit overall health. It’s like cleaning the filter on your car or clothes dryer. A cleanse is not a fast. You still eat, but stick to certain foods that assist with detoxification and improved digestion, which have a direct impact on health and vitality. The first step is uncluttering and cleansing your digestive system. Avoid coffee and stimulants, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods for five days. Increase your fibre intake, drink plenty of good alkaline water, and be sure to get enough sleep; at least eight hours a night. The new growing season brings plenty of nutritious foods that contribute to the natural cleansing process. Local beetsare still readily available at the Winter Market, and help combat one of the most common nutritional deficiencies by providing a great source of iron, offering a much-needed energy boost during your cleanse. Beets also contain zinc, manganese, and potassium and have been clinically proven to support the liver, your primary detoxifying organ. A nutrient in beets called betalain provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. Beets are easy to prepare too - steam for no more than 15 minutes or bake for 60 minutes (or less). Fresh dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, chard, and spinachare essential during your cleanse. For full benefit, eat them raw or very lightly steamed. Some interesting alternatives to these include wild greens likewatercress, nettle, and fiddlehead, all soon to make their spring debut at the Winter Market. These vegetables are a source of chlorophyll, a compound that is chemically close to our blood and helps with detoxification. For added chlorophyll and an improved cleanse, add a Greens product or a combination of organic juiced grasses of alfalfa, kamut, barley, oat, and millet.     Vancouver Farmers Markets would like to thank the following sponsors for their ongoing support:   Make A Better World We're thrilled to announce that Vancouver Farmers Markets will have a regular, once-a-month spot on Co-op Radio's Make A Better World program. Every 2nd Saturday from 7am - 9am, our Ops Manager Roberta LaQuaglia will join host Marc Lindy to talk about all things local at our markets and beyond. Tune in to listen to interviews with VFM vendors, tips and recipes from Vancouver's top chefs, Market Festivals and event listings, and much more! For more info, visit Co-op Radio's website:http://www.coopradio.org/ In memorium The VFM community was deeply saddened to learn of longtime vendor Donna Berger's passing on March 16th, 2014. Donna, of Blue Comet Seafoods, worked with husband Tony and son Sasha in their stall at the Kitsilano, West End, and Winter Markets. One could always find her having lively chats with shoppers about diet and lifestyle, the latest trends in yoga and gardening, and of course, salmon! Her tremendous generosity and strength of spirit will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, both in the market community and beyond. Our hearts go out to the Berger family as they say goodbye to wife, mother, and grandmother. Farewell, Donna Modo Spring Run-Off 8k Modo: The Car Co-op host their Spring Run-Off at Stanley Park on Sunday, March 23 as a fundraiser for the Take A Hike Foundation. Highlights include the 8k race around the Park, a Party Area with music and entertainment, and finish line snacks sourced in part from Vancouver Farmers Markets. For registration and event details, visit thewebsite.   BC Begonia Society Plant Sale Annual Plant, Bake and Craft Sale: Plants in Real Time: Check out the Reality of the BC Fuchsia and Begonia Society, at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Floral Hall, 37th Ave and Oak St, Vancouver, BC. Saturday April 19, 2014. 9:00am to 3:00pm. Free Admission. Face Painting for Kids of all ages. Unique Vendor Items(cards and art by the Laughing Hand)  Prize Draws. Home Baking. Refreshments. Great Variety of Plants. Some Hardy Fuchsias. Come Early for Best Selection. Vendor Tables Available, call Sylvia and Derek: 604.277.2905. For Information call Sandy & Ruth: 778.881.0175 Everyone welcome. Wheel chair accessible. Permaculture Design at Fraser Common Farm Come learn permaculture design and how to grow your own food on a Certified Organic farm in the Fraser Valley. FarmFolk CityFolk & Fraser Common Farm have teamed up to present a 72-hour Certification course that takes place April - November. For details and registration, visit the Facebook event page.    follow on Twitter | Like Us  on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2014 Vancouver Farmers Markets, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the monthly newsletter of Vancouver Farmers Markets. Maybe you did this at a market, at a community event or via our website.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser