Survey for another Nanaimo Farmer's Market

I ran into Dirk Becker of Compassion Farms at the Cedar Farmer's Market and he, along with a group of other farmers, are considering starting a mid-week farmer's market in Nanaimo next spring. He passed on this little survey and feedback sheet for any farmers or local food folk that would be interested. I was thrilled to hear this and I don't think I'm the only one that would appreciate a real farmer's market that would run at a time more convenient for locals who don't have time to run down the downtown farmer's market on Friday morning.

You can send you feedback to Dirk at compassion@telus.net. BTW, Dirk and Compassion Farms is right outside of North Nanaimo on 7560 Fernmar Road, Lantzville.

Here's his email:

Hi Folks

a group of us farmers and supporters are wanting feedback from local farmers concerning 2 things:

1. a farmers market at the bowen rd co-op in central Nanaimo (starting next spring)

possibly a week night so as not to conflict with other farmers markets

especially since many of us already do two different farmers markets!

2. a once a year event showcasing local farmers and their products to make people aware of the alternatives

this could be a mid Saturday event when people are out shopping anyway

end of season

harvest time

(last year at that time i still had 2000 of my 3000lbs of squash to sell etc).

and after the last farmers market

which could also include musicians, 100 mile diet info and many other things to get a big turnout to make it worthwhile for us farmers!

please give us your feedback soon

as we will also be bring this forward to the board of the Mid Island Co-op for support in principle to start,

which naturally can lead to several types of support such as

advertising in the news letter

support from the 24000 member-owners

use of on site bathrooms water and electricity etc.

yours in service

Dirk Becker

Compassion Farm