Project Title
Evaluating Farmers Market Progress on Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Organization Name
Organization Information
Organization Name
Mission and Vision of Organization
The mission of the Artisan Farmers Markets Society is to create a food secure community by improving access to local, healthy, affordable food to the community. Local is considered the shortest possible distance between the producer and the consumer for seasonal items grown and made in BC.
Guiding Principles + Values
The Artisan Farmers Market Society aims to be a sustainable non-profit society, meaning its outputs do not exceed inputs on any resource level including human, financial, creative and environmental. A community approach actively seeks participation from, and development with, community members including neighbourhood residents and supporters, area businesses, and community organizations including non-profit and NGO's. The AFMS strives to increase awareness of local food issues and increase education about and in support of regional agriculture.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact Person(s): Tara Immell, her/she
- Email: tara@immell.com
- Phone: 604-446-8272
- Address: Burnaby, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver Markets
- Website: https://www.artisanmarkets.ca/
Preferred Method of Contact
- Best method(s) to contact: Email, We will setup a group chat
- Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays
- Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons
Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration
- Zoom
Project Description
Note: This project will take place online and in person
Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?
On June 22, 2022, the Government of Canada published the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (the Regulations). The Regulations prohibit the manufacture, import, sale and eventually export of 6 categories of single-use plastic (SUP) items. In alignment with federal and municipal governments across North America , many farmers markets have been moving towards the elimination of single-use plastics. Local farmers markets associations, including the Vancouver Farmers' Market Association and Artisan Markets, are working on reducing/phasing out single-use plastics. Given the move away from plastic packaging, more sustainable alternatives are needed.
Two LFS 350 groups have looked at plastic packaging alternatives in recent semesters.
This semester, students will continue this work by following up and document local farmers markets' progress towards single-use plastic reduction.
Main Project Activities and Deliverables
Students will be visiting at least two different farmers' markets of their choice in the Metro Vancouver area (see the Vancouver Farmers Markets, Artisan Farmers Markets, UBC Farm Market, Surrey Farmers Markets for some options). Visiting multiple markets will allow students to appreciate, compare, and contrast the variety among markets. Farmers' markets each have their own character and this extends to the packaging used by vendors. Whether by vendor choice, market mandate, municipal, provincial, or national regulations, the level of single-use plastic will vary market-by-market and a main goal of this research is to document the progress markets in general around Metro Vancouver have made and are making towards removing single-use plastics.
Students will perform visual audits at farmers' markets of the packaging and carry bags being provided at vendor stalls and at the packaging and carry bags being used by market customers. In cases where an alternative to plastic is being used, the students will engage the user in a semi-structured interview to receive feedback on the functionality/cost/overall satisfaction with the alternative.
Students may visit markets on their own or together with one other group member.
- Review of two past LFS 350 project group deliverables
- Literature review on plastic bans (including an academic literature review on the subject and excerpts from policy documents at the market, municipal, provincial, Canadian, and International level. The timeline progression of plastic bans has typically been from the smaller to larger jurisdictions)
- Literature review of food waste reductions possible from packaging. A main objection to removing plastic packaging is that fresh produce without plastic packaging will result in more food waste. A classic example is wrapping cucumbers individually in polypropylene.
- In-person data collection of packaging being used by market vendors
- Summary of findings in a written report and infographic
Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)
- Strong communication skills for group work
- Research and library search skills are required
- Use of Excel and a Word Processor is required to summarize data collected
Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?
- This project is very flexible for students' schedules
- Students will conduct in-person data collection about packaging being used by market vendors
Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?
- No
How much self-direction is expected from the students?
- Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
- Developing the activity plan and timeline: Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
- Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Led by students
- Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
Preferred Days of Week and Hours
- Flexible
Related Community Service Opportunities for Students
- Volunteering at a farmers' market
Required Reading
Project/Partner Orientation Materials
Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.
Please review: These past two LFS 350 projects:
Vancouver's Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy:
Additional Materials
- Federal ban on single-use plastics including backgrounder, technical guidelines, and guidance document for selecting plastic alternatives (2022). Government of Canada website.
- Zero Waste 2040 Strategic Plan. City of Vancouver
- Zeitlin, M. "Do plastic bag taxes or bans curb waste? 400 cities and states tried it out" (2019). Vox
- Whistler Farmers’ Market Zero Waste Vendors Guide
Expected Outcomes
Intended Short-term Project Outcome
Farmers' markets understand the progress made toward plastic alternatives, helping move towards more sustainable materials being used
Learning Outcomes
Through this project, I think students will learn about...
- The direct marketing done by farmers at local farmers' markets around Metro Vancouver
- Global bans on plastic, especially single-use plastic items
- The challenges of removing plastic packaging from fresh fruits and vegetables
By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...
- Research methods, including data collection and summarization
By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...
- The local food system
