Alberta Farmers' Market Association

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AFMA Conference, AGM, and Awards Luncheon

The Alberta Farmers' Market Association AGM and conference will be held on February 18, 2010 in Calgary. For more information click here and to register click here.

The AFMA Awards Luncheon will be held at noon on February 18, 2010. For details about the award categories and to nominate someone or yourself, click here.

The Board of Directors has three positions available for election. For information about nomination criteria and how to nominate someone or yourself, click here.

For more information on the agenda and speakers visit the Awards and Conferences page.

"Food... the next oil?"

Food Today, Tomorrow, Together

On February 18, 2010 at the Red and White Club in Calgary, AFMA in partnership with Food Today Tomorrow Together will bring in Wendy Holm, an award winning farm journalist and agrologist. After her talk enjoy the Local Food & Artisans on site and the Taste of Alberta event. Purchase tickets by calling 1-866-753-4337. For more information download the poster.

Eating Local in Alberta

Do you want to join the eating local movement happening across Alberta but are wondering where to go to buy local food. Here are some options:

Farmers' Markets are one of the best ways to find local products. On our website you can find the markets in your region and find more information about the vendors who sell at those markets.

You can also go straight to the farm. For a great listing of information on local farms around the province go to the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association. Search by product type, order a free quide, or whatever it is you need to find local farms in Alberta, you can find them here!

Or eat out! Dine Alberta has a list of restaurants across the province that serve local fare.

Finally, you can also visit Chomp Around Alberta. Here you will find a link to each of the above sites, plus more - your one stop shop for eating local in Alberta.

Farmers' Markets News, Resources & Announcements!

Grande Prairie Farmers' Market Awarded Grant

A federal grant of $511,000 has been awarded to the Grande Prairie Farmers' Market to renovate the interior and exterior of their current building and to implement the rebranding and upgrading of the market! Read their newsletter for more information.

Benefits of Belonging to an Industry Association

A common voice for its members to government and policy makers, an information source, industry promotion/branding/visibility. These are just some of the benefits explored in this article written by Rob Spencer and Karen Goad from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

Alberta Health Services Regulations

Please note that all managers and vendors need to comply with all Alberta Health Services regulations. You can find the following documents on the Alberta Health Services website.

Farmer's Markets (Brochure), Farmers' Market Guidelines for Canning Lids and Jars, Temporary Food Establishments at Farmers' Markets, Farmers' Market Managers' Checklist (Daily), Farmers' Market Vendors' Food Safety Checklist .

New guidelines for Approved Farmers' Markets

Alberta Agriculture carried out a full review of the Approved Farmers' Market guidelines over this past year. The minister has now released the changes. Read them here. You can also read a summary of the changes in this article by Eileen Kotowich.

CFIA finds non-regulation BC Apples sold at Alberta Farmers' Markets

To avoid fines follow proper regulation procedures. Read CFIA's Industry Notice. In order to make it easier for you to understand and to follow, AFMA has put together an overview of CFIA's regulations.

How to be a Farmers' Market Vendor

Are you a small business looking to become a vendor? Or perhaps you are already a vendor looking for some helpful tips on being a successful vendor.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Alberta Farmers' Market Association have created an information sheet with some vendor considerations, marketing tips and helpful resources. Check it out here.

More resources found on the Resources, Education and Events page

Alberta Farmers' Markets Association Awards

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Advertise with AFMA here.
Click for more information.

Upcoming Events

Setting a Profitable Price

Interested in a practical road map for costing and pricing product? In this workshop, producers, small scale processors and agripreneurs will learn the basics of costing and pricing products and how to set a profitable price point for farm direct marketing channels.

February 3 in Leduc

March 10 in Airdrie

Expand Local Foods, Local Markets

Are you currently selling your food products locally? Thinking about accessing new clients? In this one day session learn about 6 local market channels: Community Supported Agriculture, Restaurants, On-line sales, Home Delivery Service, Farmers' Market/Mobile Markets and Farm Direct On-Farm Stores. Hear directly from producers selling in those channels and what it takes to be successful.

Click here for registration.

February 2 in Sturgeon County

February 4 in Parkland County

February 9 in Strathcona County

February 11 in Leduc County

Explore Local Foods, Local Markets

Intrigued about selling direct to consumers? Excited about new profit opportunities? Attend this one-day event to find out how to be a farm direct, farmers' market, culinary tourism, or local food operator.

February 16 in Manning

February 17 in LaCrete

Contact Eileen Kotowich at 780-853-8223 for more information and registration.

Creating Value in Value Chains Workshop

This one day business intelligence workshop provides both international and local information on tools available for the Alberta industry, building closer relationships in the fresh food supply chain sectors.

When: February 16 -17

Where: Red Deer

For more information click here.

Healthy Eating: Who's Doing it & Why?

What you need to know to target the health conscious consumer. Attend this FREE workshop and learn why consumers try to eat healthy, how the consumer defines healthy food, and if consumers want to know the story behind their food.

When: Tuesday February 23

When: 9 to noon

Where: JG O'Donoghue 7000-113 st

Registration is limited, so call 1-800-387-6030 before February 12, 2010.

Local Food Event Workshops

In these FREE one day workshops you will here about different types of local food events, enjoy a locally sourced lunch and great networking.

Click here for more information.

February 16 in Camrose

February 25 in Brooks

Farming into the Future Conference

"A Conference for Farmers and Future Farmers"

This conference will be about farming on small tracts of land, farming for the local economy not the global economy. Farming in a sustainable fashion that will rely on eaters not global commodity markets.

When: February 17

Where: Drayton Valley

For more information click here.

Berry and Vegetable School 2010

Albertans getting into horticulture crop production or thinking about diversitying their existing operation with fruits or vegetables should consider attending the Berry and Vegetable School. This conference is an opportunity for new, potential or experienced fruit and vegetable producers to learn and interact.

When: February 24 & 25

Where: Red Deer

For more information click here.

Adding New Value Powers Up Your Farm

This Agri-Webinar explores agricultural value adding and looks at a number of successful Agravators^IM (Agra-Innovators) who are using the value adding concept to Power Up Their Farms for new profits and new opportunities for them and the next generation.

When: 2pm February 22

To register visit CFBMC's website

Go Hits the Road Workshop

Organic workshop on transition to organic field crop production, organic research, and discussion with organic experts.

When: February 25 & 26

Where: Lethbridge

Click here for more information. Click here for registration form.

Marketing – What Every Rural Business Needs to Know

Whether you are a novice or experienced marketer this workshop will determine why marketing needs to be the first and foremost thing to consider when developing or diversifying your business plan. Learn to choose and implement essential marketing tactics and see how other agribusinesses use these techniques to boost their sales and profitability.

When: March 9

Where: Airdrie Agricultural Centre

Click here for more information and registration.

Capturing Opportunities in Organic Agriculture: Initiatives & Trends

Andrew Hammermeister will discuss initiatives and trends in organic agriculture.

When: 2pm March 15

To register visit CFBMC's website

The Market Express

Check out our great magazine!

View Summer 2008 - the Going Green Issue