The Comox Valley Farmers Market

The Comox Valley Farmers' Market has been going since 1992 (became a year round market in 2008-2009) Their slogan is "Come For the Freshness, Stay For the Fun".

 By 1994 they had nearly over 30 vendors. They also begun showcasing local musical talent at the market, which seemed to pay off increasing customers even more. They have become THE place for the community to gather on Saturday mornings, and Wednesdays too. The Native Sons' Hall has become the indoor location for the winter market which is quite central. 

 The market has been going on strong for over 20 years now and is only growing bigger and better every year. Every community would benefit from having a year round market available. 

                                 The Farm to Fork in the Comox Valley - West Coast Escapes TV

Improving a neighbourhood and community with a local market

Article by Mr. Ryan Coffey 

 The well established popularity of Nanaimo's existing farmer's markets in recent years have indicated there is strong local interest in 100% locally sourced and quality produced foods. Upon reflecting on the further benefits of having such products available we must consider lower carbon emissions, more sustainable farming methods, more nourishing/holistic health benefits and of course, good quality products that are easier on the environment. Another important reason is the sense of community. A feel of "togetherness" ignites when buying from your neighbour and knowing you are supporting people in your community gives one a feeling of pride.
 
Since we were young there have been older, wiser people who have been telling us to "buy local". There are certainly economic benefits to following this wisdom as more money remains within a community increasing wealth and jobs there instead of in China, but there is also the benefit of connecting with other people directly. Having a more direct connection with the people you are buying from doesn't end at calculated financial, it also feels good. It feels good knowing that you can easily ask for deeper information about how the food was produced or new ideas of how to prepare the food. It feels good to build relationships and that warm sense of local community that is so lacking in our post modern electronic reality. Ultimately, those who are plugged in to such a community will be able to grow together as a people due to the synergy of getting together. Beyond that, it helps us spread the good word about healthy, happy sustainable living to a broader audience.

Having such a place near your home gives you more options at your disposal. And aren't options one of the fundamental things we want as consumers? There is also the convenience of having it in the middle of town which for many of us means that it's on the way to or from work or other places you may go. When the Island Roots Market Co-op catches on, it may be the inspiration for other services nearby that cater to the tastes of those people who are going to the Co-op. It's a win-win situation for everyone. 

Ryan Coffey is a proud member and supporter of the Island Roots Market Co-op. He is also a realtor with Coast Realty Group.

Island Roots Director: Isabelle Morris

 Introducing Isabelle Morris who attained a bachelor's degree in science from Université du Québec à Rimouski. After working a decade for Parks Canada, she decided to leave in order to pursue the dream of running a successful organic farm business. She also completed a Master's degree from UVIC in 2007 in Environmental Education, headed by a thesis entitled, “Journey to an Organic Lifestyle”. 

 The opportunity to farm was given to her by her father-in-law, owner of Wyndlow Farms Ltd of Yellow Point in search of new crops to make the family farm operation profitable. In the four years she has spent managing the vegetable production she has encountered numerous issues faced by local farmers. She and local experienced growers recently developed a partnership in the hope of finding a solution to labour shortages in agriculture, to increase the production of food in the Nanaimo area and to tackle the local food distribution bind. Isabelle believes there is a need for an efficient distribution channel that has the well-being of our local producers at heart.


 She is a member of the Nanaimo-Cedar Farmers Institute and a member of The Canadian Organic Growers. In 2009 she attended an Agri-food Canada Conference on the agricultural cooperative movement in Canada, in Ottawa. The idea of creating a co-op, to bring together local farmers, has been on her mind for quite some time.


 At 38 years old she has joined the board of Island Roots Market Cooperative to ensure the needs of the producers are being met in this endeavor. She hopes to contribute to Island Roots becoming a thriving, trustworthy business that has at heart the fair and equitable redistribution of profit and the distribution of all this wonderful locally produced food. Mother of three, she understands the importance for families to have access to an abundant, quality local food supply. She foresees Island Roots Cooperative as a way to channel sales and distribution of locally produced food to local consumers, businesses and organizations.

Annual General Meeting Minutes

ISLAND ROOTS MARKET CO-OP Annual General Meeting Minutes
 
Date of Meeting Friday, October 12, 2012
 
Location: Activity Room #1, Bowen Road Complex, Nanaimo, BC
 
Board Members Present: Larry Whaley, Chris Semrick, David Weston, Dirk Becker

1. Call to Order
The meeting began at 7:32pm with Larry Whaley, current President, as Chair. The
agenda was presented by data projector for members to review.
 
2. Membership Report
The total eligible members to vote if all present is 65, of this 21 were present. As
per the structure of the Cooperative Act, the first AGM must be held within 3 months
of the incorporation date. The Chair also explained that in order to be eligible to
vote and run for office at this meeting you must be member for 30 days prior to the
meeting. Explanation of quorum as 10% of eligible voters was provided. The 21
eligible members present constitutes a quorum.
 
3. Director’s Report
Larry Whaley provided the background of the how the idea of a coop started last
November during the Occupy Nanaimo movement. He explained there was
discussion at that time around the following question: What do people what to do
with their futures? The resulting answer was that many wanted to farm. Further
thought of how products would get to market and how farmers would make a living
started the discussion of starting a coop.
 
 Meetings were held at the Pacific Gardens Co-housing building and ensuing questions
were around job creation and fair wages. Local Roots Cooperative website was
referenced as a model of what the group wanted in Nanaimo. A lengthy planning
process started to design a cooperative inclusive of consumers, producers and as
well workers. The standards for a living wage in the community were estimated at
$16.25 per hour. Contributing time to the coop is payable in shares based on this
rate.
    
  The market concept for Island Roots is for each farmer/producer to have their own
area that they stock as required. The coop will provide the building and staffing to
deal with sales. Producers are not required to be at the market while it is open
which allows them to grow/raise/produce their goods. The producer pays rent on the
space and sales go through a central cashier at the market location. The producer is
then paid every 2 weeks based on their sales.
   
 Further planning lead to reserving a name for the coop and a memorandum of
association. Larry read the memorandum of association for the membership.
 
Question: What are the parameters of locally produced?
 
Answer: Parameters are not yet defined but expected to be on the Island and
Gulf Islands as local and on the mainland not local – Larry Whaley
As close possible – Dirk Becker
 
4. Financial Report
  
Claudette Dodd, Secretary/Treasurer, presented the Income Statement and Balance
Sheet for the period up to October 11, 2012. As the operations for the Island Roots
were limited due to just starting, activity on the financial statements was minimal.
The majority of activity was membership revenue and in-kind services.
 
Question: Is there a cap for the amount of time Directors can work for shares?
Is that something that should be voted on?
 
Answer: There is no cap, there is no maximum, there are reasons why the
Directors might want to say stop at $1000 to be discussed later. The
Directors to date have not received any shares for work done and have
no expectation of receiving shares for past work. The living wage of
$16.25 has gone to service providers not directors – Larry Whaley
Larry informed the members that Claudio Addis, CMA, has also not received any
shares for his work to date. He has participated as a volunteer and has done a
review of the books without audit and confirmed that the financial statements do
represent the business dealings of the co-op to date. It was not feasible at this time
to do an audit as the cost is not known and there was such a small amount of
transactions.
 
Question: How many shares are represented by the services in kind?
 
Answer: 206 shares are represented by services in kind – Claudette Dodd
 
Question: Can the shares be redeemed for cash?
 
Answer: Yes they can be redeemed eventually. If the coop makes money or if
you leave the area and can no longer use the services are the reasons
shares can be redeemed. The Director will then approve the request
for redemption and have 2 years to make a decision.
 
Question: What are the services in kind?
 
Answer: General overview for services in kind were provided – Claudette
 
Question: What are the start up costs?
 
Answer: There is no definite number at this time but the expectation is $50,
000. And that is not to operate, that is to buy fridges, coolers, shelves
etc. This is a wild guess, uneducated guess. The freezers, coolers etc
will then be rented to the producers. The $50,000 does not include
the lease or operating costs for the year. Claudio Addis provided a
first year operating budget of $78,000. These amounts do not include
the purchase of a building – Larry Whaley
 
Question: What ideas do you have for fundraising and location of the market?
 
Answer: Larry made reference to posters displayed in the room “Coops succeed
when”. The points on the poster were read and discussed. Balance is
needed between producers, consumers and workers. Explanation of
the share structure and encourage members to be come life members.
Currently using a voluntary appeal for membership beyond $10.
Granting organizations will match the project based on what the
membership has provided. Potential depends on the commitment and
seriousness of the membership – Larry Whaley
 
Question: How can the market stay competitive?
 
Answer: There will be no price fixing, producers have to set prices according to
their situation.
 
Question: How will you keep supply when the producers stop producing?
 
Answer: Eating seasonal, preserving and knowing that only some items will be
available – Chris Semrick
 
Once facilities are created, farmers will have the means to move
product thus the market. Creating facility, community and meeting
place through this means – Dirk Becker
 
Question: How will you police the products coming into the market since the area
is all of Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands? Will it be dumping, what
is the source of the product?
 
Answer: We are going to limit that based on space as outlined in the operating
budget. The budget is based on 50 spaces for vendors. Vendors will
also be required to sign a contract.
 
Question: What is the role of education to the consumers and general public?
There are 2 issues, one is membership drive as the farmers markets
are ending and the other is the seasonality of food and expectations.
There is a huge disconnect with the general public.
 
Answer: That is something that has been discussed. We will make an effort to
educate the public, how it is done is not yet determined – Larry
Whaley
 
Membership will grow on its own, media and social media is being
used, in the future the market could be social hub for the public
offering workshops on preserving etc that will address the issue above
- Chris Semrick
 
Question: Will the Coop be a distributor?
 
Answer: One step at a time – Larry Whaley
 
5. Accountant’s Comments
 
Larry read a statement received from Claudio Addis previously.
 
6. Appointment of Auditor
 
At Larry Whaley's suggestion the meeting agreed to waive the appointment of an
auditor leaving the director's with the option of selecting an auditor or having the
booked reviewed as opposed to conducting a formal audit next year. Claudio Addis
will continue to review books.
 
Living wage has not been calculated but with consideration of similar communities,
the living wage for Nanaimo is estimated at $16.25.
Director’s remuneration is explained as being set at 1.5 x the living wage. If the
Directors are to be remunerated it must be passed at a general meeting. No one in
the organization can make more that 3 x the living wage per the organization rules.
Recommendation to set the remuneration at 1.5 does not pass as it was not on the
agenda. Proper notice will be provided for this matter to be voted on by the
membership.
 
7. Market Location Report
 
Currently, the plan is to lease and not purchase at this time. There were 58
locations between Rutherford and Townsite. Eight properties were shown and
explained by Chris Semrick. Consideration for size, bylaws and zoning classification
are significant factors. It will likely be a destination market.
 
Question: Should the property allow for growth so you don’t have to move often?
 
Comment: It is possible to start this initiative, have to start somewhere, don’t put
up barriers at the beginning with moving, size, costs etc.
 
8: Consideration and Approval of Actions of Directors
 
Motion: Approval of the actions of the Directors to date.
Carried.
 
9. Board Elections
 
Larry Whaley explained the number of directors to be elected, process and eligibility
of voters. Previous to the meeting, 5 members had put their names forward for
nomination. They are:
Peggy Burkosky, Dirk Becker, Chris Semrick, David Weston and Larry Whaley.
Claudette Dodd then ran the nominations and elections. There were 3 nominations
from the floor:
Isabelle Morris, Claudette Dodd(declined) and Rosalind MacKenzie.
With the maximum amount of seats filled no election was required. All nominees
were appointed by acclamation.
 
10: Question & Answers
 
Discussion ensued about dates, times, labeling, container types and shoplifting.
Collaboration between farmers could mean more variety of products for consumers
and better sales for all.
 
11: Other Business
 
Isabelle Morris provided a lovely produce basket for the meeting. It was decided to
do a live auction for the basket and donate the funds to the coop. With many smiles
the basket provided $40 for the coop.
 
12: Adjournment:
 
The meeting finished at 9:43pm.

Island Roots Director: Peggy Burkosky

Peggy's initial reason for accepting the responsibility of director for the Island Roots Market Co-op was a simple one. As a producer of local value-added seafood, she agrees with the Co-op's goals to provide direct access to local food products. It has always been a challenge for local fishermen that work extremely hard to find a way to sell their catch other than to the typical chain of buyers and processors, leaving the fisherman with the least amount of benefits and a spiraling lack of encouragement for the next generation to continue the family business. This situation is identical to family farms across the nation that have not encouraged their children to carry on with their heritage farms. One of the most highlighted areas of need revealed in this month's VIHA hosted symposium "Food Connections Gathering " was that of a local farm/seafood market, followed by creating land trusts for food security on Vancouver Island.

Having been directly involved in working with local youth completing high school, she observes the highly prevalent need for jobs within our Island communities. Job creation has historically been achieved through co-operatives across Canada, and I can't think of a more rewarding effort than to try and serve these needs.

Best regards,
Peggy Burkosky

Island Roots Director: Mr. Dirk Becker

This week please get acquainted with Mr.Dirk Becker!


Over 20 years of activism and a lot of fighting against things, now his new direction is one targeted at creating things in order to facilitate real change.

Food, farming, farmers, farmer's markets and farmland is the medium he now uses as the primary tool to reach people to raise awareness with the hope that we will make better choices.

Cooperatives, which are a means of organizing and bringing people together, for the express purpose of mutual benefit, is a natural extension of that process.

Dirk looks forward and has hope that peoples' natural propensity to work together in cooperation and our genuine desire for a better future, will compel us to create new organizations that will take our culture and ultimately humanity in a better direction.

Over 20 years as an environmental advocate on Vancouver Island and an agricultural advocate for the past five years, Dirk Becker has volunteered countless hours for the betterment of his community and the regional district. 

His passion for creating positive change is infectious and has benefited the community in a number of ways from working to create local provincial parks to inspiring young adults to grow much of their own food. By walking his talk, Dirk inspires people to make more conscious decisions. Sustainability for Vancouver Island by lowering our personal ecological footprints is a large part of his volunteer work from doing talks on rainwater collection for the RDN (Regional District of Nanaimo), and Growing Food workshops for Seedy Sundays and Saturdays. 

Dirk's focus has been advocating for agricultural change on Vancouver Island – creating a climate to support local food. He has accomplished this by creating and organizing the 2007 Farmers' Showcase last autumn and creating the Bowen Road Farmers' market in 2008.

The purpose of the 2007 Farmers' Showcase was to:

a) educate the residents of the mid island, showcasing the variety of food that is grown, raised and produced right in our region from fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood to value-added food products such as cheese and preserves and even non-food products such as clothing from local alpaca wool and goat milk soap.

b) “prove” that residents of the mid island would support local farmers. Over 3,000 people attended the showcase (Dirk expected 600 people maximum) and many vendors sold out that day.

This showcase paved the way for Dirk to spearhead the creation of the Bowen Road Farmers' Market – the first true “Farmers' Market” in Nanaimo that firmly kept 75% - 80% food vendors, with the remaining percentage made up of quality artisans and other non-food vendors. It proved to be a success, with many vendors making the new market their “first” market – their primary source of income. The market ran from May 21st to October 22nd, of this year and there is now a growing wait list for next year's season. The market grew out of the original location with a consistent wait list of 20 vendors and moved across the street to our local exhibition grounds which is a much more suitable location with yet more room to grow.

The mission of the Bowen Road Farmers' market:

To create and foster relationships between farmers, small scale food processors and artisans together with people in the surrounding communities in order to promote, support and increase agriculture on Vancouver Island and area.

Dirk's gift for keeping the big-picture vision forefront when it comes to educating the public about global food systems and local food has not always won him favour with his board of directors or the vendors (with progressive policy on such things as minimum food pricing policy). However, by the end of this first year, he has proved that his instincts were “on” and that keeping food pricing at a sustainable level would allow farmers to make a decent living and encourage young people to consider farming as a viable career choice.

Organizations and events Dirk has directly spearheaded:

• Founder and President of the first CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) in our area, that employed four provincial “green teams” over a two year period.  

• Spearheaded the 2007 Farmers' Showcase in Nanaimo to highlight for residents the diversity of food that is grown, raised and produced in our region. This one day event saw over 3,000 people attend from our community (which proved there was local support for a new farmers' market)

• Founder and President of the Bowen Road Farmers' Market (First year May-Oct 2008). The purpose of the market is to educate the residents of the Regional District of Nanaimo the importance of supporting local agriculture. 

• 2003 DesignWrights "Think BIG, Go Green" Earth Day Canada second place award for rain barrel manufacture and design - 45-gallon, food grade plastic barrels can fill up in a 20 minute downpour.

• Co-host of the community radio talk show, “Hearts and Minds: Tools for Change” which addresses practical solutions for living more consciously. 

Organizations and events Dirk has dedicated time and effort to making a success:

• Volunteered at and helped organize the 2008 Green Solutions tradeshow and speaker series

• Linley Valley Park Committee, which later morphed into the Nanaimo Area Land Trust.

• Worked with Nanaimo residents, City of Nanaimo and provincial government to fundraise for the purchase of Neck Point Park.

• One of the main participants in fundraising for the acquisition of Jedidiah Island as a provincial marine park.

• Has emceed several Nanaimo Earth Day events 

• Past Board member of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee.

• Past volunteer and board member of the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange.

• Past Board member of Nanaimo Family Life.

In addition, Dirk is public speaker and workshop presenter (www.dirkbecker.ca)  

• Named among “Nanaimo’s Top 20 Most Powerful People” three years in a row - 2009, 2010 and 2011. 

• Currently a director of the Farmland Defense League and sits on the advisory panel for GMO-free BC. 

• January 2009 LiveSmart BC Community Hero

• Interviewed by newspapers over 50 times in past four years discussing global challenges, including the connection between fossil fuel, world conflict, agriculture and food 

bio from:

www.DirkBecker.ca

Charismatic, funny and well–informed, Dirk Becker is a Sustainability Guru. His timely message reaches thousands of people through newspaper and magazine articles, at public education forums, across the internet and over the airwaves. With life partner Nicole Shaw, he co–hosts the radio program, "Heart and Mind: Tools for Change," on CHLY 101.7 FM, Vancouver Island. Nicole and Dirk are also the Publisher and Assistant Editor respectively, of "Synergy," their bi–monthly community–driven magazine dedicated to personal growth through the body, mind and spirit. See www.synergymag.ca

 Besides talking the talk, Dirk walks the walk as a dedicated organic farmer. On his own 2.5 acres in Lantzville, B.C., he’s turned what was little more than dust and gravel into lush, productive farmland using simple, successful, bio–intensive methods. He offers hands–on demonstrations and runs a variety of practical workshops at the farm.

 Dirk has campaigned for and created a new Farmers’ Market, organized large agricultural showcases, and been a featured speaker at environmental tradeshows and various community forums. He’s also President of the Bowen Road Farmers’ Market, a prominent Local Foods advocate and only sells his produce fresh–picked!

Always environmentally concerned and globally aware, Dirk considers his mission in life that of creating a greater consciousness and teaching by example: "My interests are very broad, and my goal in teaching is about much more than simply vegetables and organics. For me, it is about creating a shift in our culture and way of being."

 Growing up with Dyslexia and what is now known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), he’s spent much of his life researching the connections between lifestyle choices, (such as the foods and food additives we eat; the pesticides, herbicides and chemicals we use, etc.) and the alarming growth of modern health problems, including the unprecedented increase in diagnoses of conditions such as ADD and ADHD.

 Dirk is also keenly interested in the complexities of human relationships and the contributing influences of society and lifestyle. As well as co–hosting the weekly radio show, "Heart and Mind: Tools for Change," he’s been a frequent speaker on various public radio programs (see www.womensradio.com ) and the Canadian podcast network at www.rabble.ca.

Island Roots President: Mr. Larry Whaley

Larry Whaley
 
Background:

Larry’s mother and father were members of a co-op in the small Alberta town where he grew up so you might say he has the co-operative movement in his blood. After completing high school, Larry moved to Calgary and shortly after that to Burnaby. Almost on arrival, he joined the South Burnaby Credit Union.
 
 When the need to house his young family (in a very tight housing market) arose, Larry looked to co-operation for the answer. He and others from the Burnaby Tenants’ Association formed the Norman Bethune Housing Co-operative. The result was a co-operatively owned, family oriented, 24 unit housing development near Simon Fraser University in North Burnaby. From there he and his family made a weekly trip to a small food co-op to pick up the things they needed and support another part of the movement.
 
 In 1980 Larry accepted a transfer to Nanaimo where he became the BC Governments Family Financial Counselor for the area. He immediately joined the credit union and what is now the Mid Island Co-op. Later served 4 years on the board of that organization.
 
 Larry left his BC Government job in 1983. He traveled widely across Canada and became known throughout as the Borrowers’ Advocate for his efforts to assist those people who were having problems with financial institutions and for his outspoken criticism of the way banks treated customers who faced financial problems as a result of annual interest rates that reached into the 25% range.
 
 Early this century Larry became involved with another small co-operative. This one back in Burnaby. In 2008 the manager of the Burnaby Co-op died and Larry stepped into a more active role. Last year the members of that co-op decided, after more than 30 years of running a completely volunteer back yard business, that it was time to close, sell the assets and divide up the resulting cash.

Occupy Nanaimo
After listening to the comments of participants at general assembly of the Occupy Nanaimo group Larry heard it mentioned that many of the participants want to farm and he wondered how they could sell the items they might produce and if they could possibly make a living farming in this area. He then began a planning process that involved dozens of people and resulted in the creation of the Island Roots Market Co-operative.