25. Artisan Farmers’ Market: Local Food Security in Winter

Organization Information

Organization Name

Artisan Farmers' Markets

Mission and Vision of Organization

Mission

To connect consumers directly with local farmers, small food producers and artisanal makers in order to support the community’s financial, social and environmental objectives.

Vision

To celebrate BC farmers, food and handmade items in vibrant, welcoming, community-connected markets.

Guiding Principles + Values

To support local farmers and small business people who grow, make, bake, raise, or wild-harvest their product in BC by creating strong sales channels.

Contact Information

• Primary Contact Person(s): Tara Immell
• Email: tara@immell.com
• Phone: 604-446-8272
• Address: Burnaby, Lonsdale Quay, and West Vancouver Markets
• Website: artisanmarkets.ca

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email
• Best day(s) to contact:Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons

Project Description

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

The project will focus on access to fresh, local foods at farmers' markets during the winter months. Shopper access, including access by low income earners, food availability, hours/days of operation, farmer sales, and market viability can all be more challenging during the winter months due to fewer markets, no BCAFM nutrition coupon program, and fewer farmers/processors with year-round locally grown/made offerings.

Main Project Activities

Students will identify gaps in market and food availability, and speak with vendors selling at the Burnaby farmers' market for the first time in the winter.

Expected Project Deliverable(s)

• A map showing available local food in winter time
• Customer counts

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• Outgoing students willing to speak with farmers' market vendors

Student Assets and Skills (to be developed through the project)

• Interviewing skills
• Data analysis skills
• Graphic design.

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

• No

Is a criminal record check required?

• No

Project Location

• Mostly remote with two visits to any winter farmers' market

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

• During designated flexible learning times

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

• Students are invited to volunteer to help setup the farmers' market.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review these materials prior to the first partner meeting:

• Artisan Markets website
• Request the relevant past LFS350 student reports from your TA (e.g. Winter 2019, North Shore; Winter 2019, Burnaby)
• Hodgins, K.J. & Fraser, E. (2018). 'We are a business, not a social service agency.' Barriers to widening access for low-income shoppers in alternative food market spaces. Agriculture and Human Values, 35(1), pp.149-162. DOI: 10.1007/s10460-017-9811-y

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

The following will be provided at the first community partner meeting:

• Students will visit the Burnaby Farmers' Market early in the semester as shoppers.