The Green Scene » Farmers Markets

Peninsula Country Market

Neil Comer — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:16:19 +0000

We had a booth at the Peninsula Country Market at the Central Saanich Fairgrounds on Saturday (9am-1pm). There was plenty of time to talk with vendors and learn about their products. What a great place for children and dogs! The kids have a lot of space to run around and burn off energy with out crashing into a fair-goer and spilling their snow-cone. There must have been at least ten dog owners at the market. There was minimal barking and I give out top marks for good behavior. The dogs seemed quite relaxed as well. If you are looking for a place to socialize your children (human or canine), the Peninsula market is a great place to do it. The doggy treats are so tasty and nutritious you can give them to the kids too. I can’t think of a better way start to your weekend then getting those restless kids or dogs out of the house early, buying fresh local products, and having a great dinner and Sunday breakfast! It makes you wonder why people waste their valuable time driving in to town and standing in line at the Supermarket when you can stroll around the fair grounds and get everything you need.

Sidney Market

Neil Comer — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:09:40 +0000

The Organic Islands team crashed the Sidney Market on Thursday! Getting a table might take more hand-shakes and hugs but it didn’t stop us from jumping in with the crowd. The Sidney Market was packed! What a great way to display some excellent products and entertainment for our Anacortes neighbors. It was wonderful to meet with past and present Organic Island exhibitors and musicians, and many thanks to everyone that let us display posters in their booths. There were a lot of organic and eco-friendly vendors to court; we’re not just good looking, come check out the festival!

Deb spied a wonderful piece of art by Zuka with an organic, free-range history. “Carnival Chicken” was raised on a local farm with love and attention and her image was overlaid with one of Zanardo Gianfranco’s Venetian Masks (http://www.thevenetianmask.com). Zuka and Gianfranco are neighbors at the Sidney Market and their friendly relationship was the inspiration for some great art! Carnival Chicken is a nice compliment to the Organic Islands logo and maybe we can situate her next to the “Backyard Chicken Lady,” Marilyn Soames when she speaks on the Story Tellers Stage. Zuka raises money to travel to Burma every year and helps care for orphans and people stricken with leprosy.

Contact Zuka at burmachild@gmail.com

Win free tickets to festival at Farmers Markets

Debra Morse — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:01:53 +0000

The Organic Islands team is visiting farmers markets to help spread the word about the festival. If you want to win 4 free tickets drop by our booth at the Mayfair Market, Wednesdays 4 pm to 8 pm, at Mayfair Mall or the Peninsula Country Market at the Saanich Fairgrounds on Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm. Fill out an entry form. We draw at the end of each evening for a winner.

Or if you want to get in on the action and join us to help work at the booth or do some guerilla promotion we will be visiting The Sidney Market, Mayfair Market, Peninsula Country Market, Fernwood Market or a even market of your choice. Please respond here or contact Jen, the volunteer manager at – volunteering@organicislands.ca.

Sidney Summer Market on Thursdays

Debra Morse — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:54:43 +0000

The Sidney Market is one of my favourites which I used to frequent every Thursday while my family was living in Sidney. It’s grown since I was last there, which was about two years ago and it was so much fun to be back there again. I’m happy to say there were more eco-friendly, organic vendors and local farms including some of our exhibitors who gladly put up festival posters in their booth. A special mention here for:

Enviro Gem promotes the use of environmental cleaning products, micro fiber, air and water purification.

Hangin’ Around Hammocks & Gifts specializes in fair trade hammocks and baskets and when not at the market you can visitor their store on Quadra Street just south of Hillside.

Sunset Bay Honey Farm’s wildflower honey is harvested from the sub-alpine mountains of the Cowichan Valley near Nanaimo. Sunset Farm likes to say: “You’ve tried the rest, now try the best our Island has to offer” (I bought a beautiful golden-orb shaped candle holder made from beeswax from Sunset with the CHinese charactor for “honesty’ written on it for my husband’s birthday – he loved it!)

and Sunterra Farm on East Saanich Road in Saanicton.

Farmers Market on Wednesdays at Mayfair Mall

Debra Morse — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:04:46 +0000

Come and check out the Organic Islands booth at the new Mayfair Farmers Market Wednesdays 4 pm to 8 pm at Mayfair Mall in the parking lot. We’ll be there selling advance tickets on Wednesday June 24 from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Canada Day, July 1 from 12 noon to 5 pm.

This new conveniently located outdoor market features local farms and some of our exhibitors including:

Sunterra Farm—fresh Island-grown seasonal produce
Sunset Bay Honey Farm—beeswax candles and honey
Abeego Designs—reusable food wraps made locally from hemp/cotton blend infused with beeswax, and 100% natural personal care products fromRocky Mountain Soap Company
Terra Nossa family farm from Mill Bay has its certified organic chicken for sale. Mayfair Mall gives out free reusable shopping bags to market visitors.

There’s also musical entertainment and food vendors. Come on down, buy local and get yourself in the mood for summer markets and festivals

If you want to volunteer to help us on the booth contact Jen Cizman, Volunteer manager – volunteering(AT)organicislands.ca.