Do you love the Farmers’ Market? Do you love the New West community? We’d LOVE to meet you!
We are hiring for a part time Market Assistant. For more information please see this job posting here:
Do you love the Farmers’ Market? Do you love the New West community? We’d LOVE to meet you!
We are hiring for a part time Market Assistant. For more information please see this job posting here:
By Jen Arbo
New West Farmers Market Society is seeking a passionate, food-loving, community-oriented person to join our team as Market Manager. Is that you?
New West Farmers Market Society operates a mid-sized, year-round farmers market based in New Westminster, BC. The summer market takes place in Tipperary Park from 3-7 on Thursdays from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving. The winter market currently takes place outdoors on the first and third Saturday of the month on Belmont Street in uptown New West from November to April. The organization will host its tenth summer season in 2018. We seek a qualified individual to join our team in a leadership capacity as our Market Manager. The ideal candidate loves food, people, and community and is detail and task-oriented, and capable of self-starting.
Amount and Type of Work:
This is primarily a work-from-home position, however the Market Manager is expected to attend all markets for their duration and occasionally attend community events and/or market-related meetings in the community. Some lifting and physical work is required. The position is somewhat varied in hours due to seasonality, but is roughly 30 hours a week in the summer, and an average of 10-15 hours a week in the winter.
Compensation and Support:
This position is paid hourly and is based on a contract that includes the winter and summer market season, renewed annually. New West Farmers Market (NWFM) Society is a living wage employer and is committed to an inclusive and supportive working culture. The Market Manager is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (elected annually) with a designated Board liaison and is supported by a market-day assistant and long-term contractors who manage the accounting and social media.
Equipment Required:
The successful candidate is expected to supply an internet-connected computer to work from, however the society will provide a cellular phone, which is to be answered during set times (to be agreed upon). NWFM can supply a printer if required. A car or driver’s license is not required for this job, however having a reliable means of transportation to get to and from the market site as well as occasionally transporting larger supplies is.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Market Logistics: The Market Manager is responsible for the planning and implementation of all aspects of market days, including but not limited to: allocating spaces to vendors, determining market mix, booking musicians and other entertainment, seeking and booking community groups, managing volunteers, and collecting stall fees from vendors.The Market Manager is required to work with the bookkeeper and social media contractor to ensure the market’s accounting and promotions are streamlined and accurate. Understanding of the use of accounting software such as QuickBooks is a valuable asset.
Vendor Management: The Market Manager is responsible for active recruitment and management of vendors to offer a unique and diverse market blend. This may mean attending other markets or conducting farm visits on occasion. It may mean managing feedback from vendors as well as ensuring the Vendor Guidelines are met. NWFM uses a cloud-based database system developed for the back-end management of the vendors; training will be provided on its use.
Community Partnerships and Collaboration: NWFM collaborates a great deal in the community for events or programs with a variety of partners, including local government, community groups, and individuals. The Market Manager is responsible for managing existing partnerships as well as seeking out and bringing new opportunities to the Board for consideration. Often, Board members assists with these collaborations. A comprehensive understanding of the NWFM Strategic Plan and Bylaws and Constitution is required.
Securing Funding: As a non profit, NWFM relies on occasional grants or sponsorships to support programs and initiatives. The Market Manager, working with the Board, may be responsible for seeking out and securing grants and sponsorships. Additionally, the Market Manager may be responsible for planning an annual fundraiser with support from a Board sub-committee.
Volunteers: Along with Board members, the Market Manager is responsible for the recruitment, retention, and management of volunteers. New West Farmers Market Society is known for helpful and friendly volunteers who staff the information booth and support vendors as well as attend community events. Experience working with volunteers is considered an asset.
Supervision of Market-Day Assistant: The Market Manager is responsible for assigning duties and tasks to the Market Day assistant, and in providing feedback to the board for performance evaluations.
Communication with the Board of Directors: As the Board is comprised of volunteers, communication with the Board is mostly done online. Regular updates are required. The Board may provide direction or ask questions of the Manager through these online means. Additionally, there is a monthly meeting the Market Manager is required to submit a report for.
Other Work as Assigned: Depending upon areas of focus for NWFM, other duties may come up from time to time that fit into the hours available.
How to Apply:
Send your resume along with a cover letter to board@newwestfarmers.ca before 5pm September 15th, 2017. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Preference will be given to candidates who: live in New Westminster, have an understanding and/or interest in food and food security issues, regularly shop at our or other farmers markets in the region, have experience with event planning, and consider themselves “people persons”.
The successful candidate will start very quickly after the closing date, as this is a crucial time of learning while the Winter Market is planned and prepared for, however full onboarding is likely to occur mid-late October.
We apologize to those applicants who apply but are not contacted – only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews. Interviews will be conducted in the evening.
Following the success of our Valentine’s Chop & Soup workshop with local chef (and NWFM director!) Rob Mackay, we are excited to announce our next workshop!
What: Mason Jar Meal Prep with Chef Jen Hiltz
Where: Qayqayt Elementary School, New Westminster [map]
When: Tue, 28 March 2017, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join us for a fun after-dinner session of cooking and prepping! Chef Jen Hiltz knows all about the challenge of eating well while living a busy lifestyle on a budget. At this workshop, Jen will demonstrate how you can easily prepare healthy mason jar-style meals at home for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, even on a busy schedule.
After quitting her job and selling her house and belongings to do some soul-searching, musician and chef Jen Hiltz started the Gypsy Trunk, a popular Lower Mainland-based food truck. Jen’s plant-based menu offers a variety that will please any foodie.
Find out more about Jen at her website gypsypassionproject.com
Space is limited and registration is required, so be sure to get yours early! Member price is $5, and non-member price is $8.
We are nearing the end of Winter Markets. Spring is slowly peaking through the rainy, slushy clouds! Come fill those baskets with the last of our winter special vendors, some of which you may not see for quite some time!
Join us on Saturday March 18th from 11am to 3pm on Belmont Street between 6th Street and 7th Street. Our location is nestled in the heart of Uptown New Westminster and is accessible by transit, car, bike and for those of you walking from nearby neighbourhoods.
Be sure to visit the vendors situated in our big marquee tent sponsored by the wonderful folks of the Uptown Business Association. You’ll find many of your favourite vendors under the tent as well as some new faces.
Driving to the market? FREE PARKING is available at Westminster Centre, directly across the street from Belmont Street. If you are taking transit the #106 bus stops at 5th avenue and 6th street.
Join us on Belmont Street for lunch! Enjoy a relaxing chai tea at the recently re-opened Uptown Parklet!
A list of our vendors for March 18th can be found below. Please check out Facebook Page or Twitter for any last minute cancellations or updates.
What’s happening at the Market?
Entertainment
Farm Fresh Produce
Beef, Eggs, Poultry and Seafood
Artisan Breads
Bakery
Snacks
Eat On Site
Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)
Jewelry & Artisan Crafts
Health, Beauty & Services
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Special Thanks to our Music Stage Sponsor Roland Kaulfuss:
Have you missed us? We sure have missed YOU!
We want to wish every single one of you a wonderful New Year! May our produce be fresh and your appetites grand! Let’s start the year with a good basket filling!
Join us on Saturday January 21st from 11am to 3pm on Belmont Street between 6th Street and 7th Street. Our location is nestled in the heart of Uptown New Westminster and is accessible by transit, car, bike and for those of you walking from nearby neighborhoods.
Be sure to visit the vendors situated in our big marquee tent sponsored by the wonderful folks of the Uptown Business Association. You’ll find many of your favourite vendors under the tent as well as some new faces.
Driving to the market? FREE PARKING is available at Westminster Centre, directly across the street from Belmont Street. If you are taking transit the #106 bus stops at 5th avenue and 6th street.
Join us on Belmont Street for lunch! Enjoy a relaxing chai tea on one of the Uptown Parklet adirondack chairs!
A list of our vendors for January 21 can be found below. Please check out Facebook Page or Twitter for any last minute cancellations or updates.
What’s happening at the Market?
Entertainment
Farm Fresh Produce
Beef, Eggs, Poultry and Seafood
Artisan Breads
Gluten Free Breads & Baking
Bakery
Snacks
Eat On Site
Prepared Foods (Pantry Staples)
Jewelry & Artisan Crafts
Health, Beauty & Services
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Special Thanks to our Music Stage Sponsor Roland Kaulfuss: