OSFP Friends of the Market

Sip & Savour - A Recipe for Sustainability

2009-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 25, 2009
5:30 - 7:30
Downtown Oakville

Rude Native Bistro
142 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville

Please join us in celebration of the formation
of the Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership
and the official unveiling of the
Habourside Organic Farmers’ Market

– A Project for a Livable Oakville

Meet Sustainable Producers – Chefs, Food Artisans & Farmers

Sample Wine, Beer and Seasonal Food from sustainable producers,
designed by your favourite Oakville Chefs

Participating Farms
Clover Roads Organc Farm
Baba-Link Organic Farm
Arvinda's
Bomberry's Farm
OPLINC Nature's Cup Tea

Participating Chefs from
The Rude Native Bistro - Oakville
Oliver Bonacini Café & Grill
Julia's Ristorante
Coriander Green

Participating Wineries
Feast of Fields Biodynamic Farm & Vineyard
Frogpond Farm
Rosewood Estates Winery

Participating Breweries
Trafalgar Ales & Meads

Media
Edible Toronto

... and the list is growing!

Admission: suggested donation $20

To RSVP call 905 849 6035 or email:
OSFPMeetnGreet@hastingshost.com

JOB POSTING - Market Manager

2009-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Interviews begin April 27, 2009 (position open until filled)

JOB POSTING - SITE MANAGER
HARBOURSIDE ORGANIC FARMERS’ MARKET

Title: Site Manager, Harbourside Organic Farmers’ Market

Program Overview
Started in 2007 as a grassroots effort of Oakville and area neighbours, the Organic Farmers’ Market brings farmers and conscious shoppers together in a weekly celebration of local foods and community. The Harbourside Organic Farmers’ Market offers local, sustainable foods and unique arts and crafts in a colorful, vibrant urban setting. Each week from June through October, the market hosts local musicians, cooking demonstrations, and celebrations of the nearby neighborhoods’ exciting cultural diversity. The Harbourside Organic Farmers’ Market runs a Saturday morning market with 20+ vendors at peak season. Operating for it’s first two years on Kerr Street under the
name Kerr Village Organic Farmers’ Market, the tradition continues at our new home.
Located in downtown Oakville, at the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Navy Street,
beside the Oakville Public Library, Art Gallery and Performing Arts Centre, the market
draws shoppers from all over the Halton region. The Organic Farmers’ Market is a project
of the Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership (OSFP) and directed by a volunteer Advisory
Committee and the OSFP Board of Directors.

Our mandate is to:

SUPPORT regional sustainable producers, by providing them with direct access to consumers.

EDUCATE the public about the nutritional, social, environmental and economic benefits
of buying locally grown foo d directly from farmers practicing organic principles

UNITE farmers and communities.

FOSTER job creation and training opportunities

Salary: $15 per hour/ Annual Salary $2400

Educational Level: Bachelors Degree (preferred)

Hours: This is a part time position. It is expected that the Site Manager will work an average of
8 hours a week (Saturdays) over a 20 week period, extending from June 20 through October 31,
2009. The commitment requires 8 hours per day, from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm plus approximately 1
hour of additional paperwork.

Role & Responsibilities

Arrive prior to market vendors arriving and remain throughout the market day to:

Properly place vendors in stall spaces, including assigning market stalls to daily vendors, and assist vendors with setting up of their stalls as needed
Place market signs, parking signs
Ensure all rules and regulations of the market are adhered to
Ensure all PROVINCIAL and REGIONAL regulations are adhered to
Meet with Public Health Inspector as needed and ensure that any vendor deficiencies are corrected
Answer questions for vendors and consumers and resolve any disputes that arise
Maintain market grounds in a safe manner
Oversee information booth, where food, farm and educational materials are distributed
Coordinate and acknowldege market volunteers
Oversee market site and market day activities including local food events, cooking demonstrations, special events and market stage entertainment
Work with advisory committee to ensure sound financial management and sustainability of the market
Conduct periodic customer counts and surveys each market day to assess the level of growth in market usage
Collect stall fees, make accurate accounting and deposit in market account
Submit a weekly financial and market activity report
Maintain database of farmers, vendors, their contact information, and any licenses or permits each vendor possesses based on the products they are selling
Assure recyclables/compostables are picked up and the market site is left clean after vendors have left for the day
Perform any other duties needed to ensure the safe and efficient running of the market

Qualifications

Physically able to be on the go for the duration of the market and able to direct volunteers
and assist with set up and take down of tables, chairs, tents, etc. (heavy lifting)
Able to work outdoors regardless of the weather conditions
Proven leadership and problem solving skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong prioritization and organizational skills
Knowledge of and passion for farmers’ markets, organic farming and local foods
Experience planning, promoting or implementing large events an asset

Electronic submisions preferred. Send resume, cover letter and 3 references to:
Market Manager Hiring Committee at market@OSFP.ca

We would like to thank all candidates who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Susan Curran, Chair
Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership
susan@OSFP.ca
905 825 8966
http://www.OSFP.ca

Oakville Organic Farmers' Market Project's New Home

2009-04-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Spread the word... It's official!

As of today we are thrilled to officially announce that the organic farmers' market, that ran for the past two years on Kerr Street in Kerr Village, along with all of your favourite organic farms and vendors is approved to relocate downtown to Centennial Square for the2009 season!

Oakville's original organic farmers' market with its focus on sustainable living, combined with arts, culture, public outreach and education will operate Saturday mornings, from 9 - 1, in Centennial Square from June 20 to October 31.

Surrounded by unique shops, restaurants and gardens, the market will be conveniently located by the picturesque Oakville Harbour, adjacent to the central library, Centennial Pool, Oakville Galleries and Centre for Performing Arts, with ample parking on the lower level, access to public transit and bike routes.

We all look forward to partnering with the Town of Oakville, local businesses and community groups to continue on our mission to foster a sustainable food system and all the benefits of living lightly on the planet.

For more info, or to subscribe to the weekly eblast, visit www.osfp.ca

See you in June!

STOP GM Sugar Beet - act before April 8!

2009-03-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Canadian company Rogers Sugar/Lantic Inc. is deciding right to accept or reject Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) sugar beet. They have refused to respond to your letters so far. Take action right now to stop GM sugar beet from being planted this April!

Lantic Inc. is the only Canadian sugar company that processes sugar beet and it is the last GM-Free sugar beet processing company in North America. (www.lantic.ca)

Keep Canadian Sugar GM-Free
Send your letter easily, just click here http://www.cban.ca

You hold the power!

Want more info on GMOs : http://www.seedsofdeception.com

What do you want to see at the market?

2009-03-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

If you have a particluar variety or type of vegetable maybe that you remember as a child or from your home country, that you'd like to buy at the market, let us know. The farmers will start planting in the next few weeks and would love to hear from you.

The NEW Kerr Village "ORGANIC Farmers' Market" web site

2009-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for the Kerr Village Organic Farmers' Market, visit our new web site.

http://www.OSFP.ca

We're number one!

2009-02-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
We're signed in, and it looks like we are the first.
Looking forward to being part of our new Organic Market in Oakville - looking forward to seeing all of you there!
Inge & John
Clover Roads Organic Farm

Welcome to OSFP's Organic Market Blog

2009-02-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

After 2 years of being incubated with funds from the Kerr Village BIA, the founders of the Kerr Village Organic Farmers Market have incorporated as the non -profit organization "Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership", {OSFP}.

Our goal is to support a variety of projects related to food security in our community. Our main project for 2009 is to provide a market for those ecological famers and producers who live within our local foodshed.

The Kerr Village BIA has decided to proceed with a farmers market in Heritage Square that supports local but not necessarily organic farmers. As such, the OSFP is seeking a new location for our farmers. We remain committed to the sustainable methods of growing used by our vendors. We also remain committed to partnering with local community groups and volunteers who share our vision, and look forward to hearing from them.

Together we can help to sustain our fragile environment, strengthen our community, and increase the economic security of those farmers on whom we depend.

We welcome you to use this forum to share your ideas and comments with the community.

Sincerely,

Susan Curran, Chair OSFP