Trish Summerhayes

Farmers’ Markets Go Online

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I am a wife, a mother and a grandmother; and spent my whole working life as a nurse. I was a "ban the bomber" in London in the sixties and a part of the back to earth movement of the seventies here on Vancouver Island. These experiences have made me who I am. I am me. I am an Island Woman. In retirement I now enjoy even more being an Island Woman.

As a farmer’s daughter it was only natural that I would be a part of the “back to the earth” movement here on the Island in the 70s.

Trish in her domain

Trish in her domain

I have always promoted local farmers and their products, and I am delighted to learn of the COW-OP group here in the Cowichan area. I support them and their concept totally and encourage others to do the same.

 

Trish Summerhayes. Publisher Island Woman magazine, Vancouver Island BCTrish Summerhayes
Owner/Publisher
Island Woman
islandwoman@shaw.ca

 

 

 

 

logoBuy Local! Buy Fresh! – A farmers market meets the internet for convenient year-round shopping
Online shoppers in the Cowichan region are now able to buy produce from the convenience of their own home via Cow-op.ca, the region’s first online farmers’ marketplace of locally grown and processed food.

Cow-op.ca offers consumers an ever-changing variety of seasonal veggies, fruits, meats, eggs, cheeses, preserves, baking, honey and more, all grown or produced throughout the Cowichan Region. The online model is convenient for food producers and customers alike, as the farmers save time and buyers are able to shop from their computer year-round while directly supporting local family farms and businesses.

“Anyone will be able to use this service,” explains Jenni Capps, Market Manager for Cow-op.ca. “It is open to families, individuals, restaurants, retailers and wholesalers. We accept Visa and Mastercard, and it will be easy to purchase through our online system. It is a really convenient way for busy families and others who cannot always get to the markets each week to access local foods.”

Cow-op.ca is an initiative of the Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace (CVCM) in partnership with Cowichan Green Community. Incorporated in November of 2014, the CVCM is a not-for-profit co-operative guided by a board of members made up of local farmers, business owners and community partners. Funding for the development of the website was generously provided by Coastal Community Credit Union and Cowichan Economic Development.

marketHow Does it Work?
The weekly ordering cycle runs from Friday to Tuesday, when the system temporarily closes to allow farmers and processors to fulfill their orders and prepare for delivery. All items ordered are delivered to Cowichan Green Community’s commercial kitchen Thursday mornings, conveniently located at 360 Duncan St. right next to the Duncan Garage. Pre-bagged orders are picked up by the customer each Thursday afternoon between 3pm and 6pm.

Cow-op.ca is a complimentary resource to all the other markets in our Valley, intending to offer another great way to access local foods and reach customers the regular markets might not. “Ordering from the Cow-Op helps to strengthen and build our community and to preserve our precious agricultural land,” adds Capps. “Not to mention buying local means buying fresh!”

For more information or to start ordering online, visit www.cow-op.ca or contact us at info@cow-op.ca.

Cowichan Green Community
360 Duncan Street
Duncan, B.C. V9L 3W4
250.748.8506

Jenni Capps
info@cow-op.ca

 

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