26. Artisan Farmers’ Market: Alternatives to single-use plastics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

Project Title

Alternatives to single-use plastics

Organization Name

Artisan Farmers' Markets

Keywords

Zero-waste, sustainability

Related Course Concepts

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
  • Email: tara@immell.com
  • Phone: 6049882165
  • Address: Burnaby, Lonsdale, and West Vancouver
  • 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 too.
  • Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons

Project Description

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

In the Fall semester, LFS350 students surveyed farmers' market vendors to understand barriers to sustainable packaging. This project will use these past survey results to see why vendors do not switch to more sustainable packaging.

Main Project Activities

Students will research alternatives to single-use plastics, and investigate markets known for championing the use of compostable items.

Expected Project Deliverable(s)

  • A "catalog" of preferred sustainable packaging (and sampling items) commonly used by farmers' market vendors. The "catalog" can be in many formats (e.g. an email, a webpage, a board at the BC Farmers' Market Annual Conference, etc.

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

  • Computer skills to be able to make a listing of packaging alternatives
  • Interest in zero waste and sustainability
  • Comfort level with speaking to market vendors

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

  • Data gathering skills
  • Understanding differences, pros and cons of compostable food packaging options

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

  • No

Is a criminal record check required?

  • No

Project Location

  • Flexible/remote

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

  • During designated LFS350 flexible learning times

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

  • Students are welcome to help setup the market.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

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

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

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

  • Students will visit a farmers' market early in the semester.

Expected Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

I hope students will learn about...

  • Vancouver's upcoming single-use item reduction strategy

I think students will come to appreciate...

  • the large number of single-use plastic items

Through this project, students will develop...

  • research skills: online, via phone, and in-person

Organizational Outcomes

Intended Project Outcome

  • A catalog of preferred packaging choices will help vendors make informed choices about food packaging

Medium Term Outcome

  • Vendors will be able to make educated choices regarding sustainable packaging options

How does the student project contribute to your organization's mission and long-term vision?

  • The project contributes to Artisan Markets' stated goal of having more earth-friendly markets.
source: https://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:LFS350/Projects/W2020/ArtisanMarkets-Plastics