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Information for
Food Hub Suppliers
photo credit: Kalynn Spain
How it Works
The Benefits
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Save your precious time and increase your sales over the longterm!
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Access to our powerful online ordering software, Local Food Marketplace.
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Delivery and distribution services-- you only have to drop off to our central warehouse once a week!
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Marketing services which include targeted advertisements and marketing to buyers via newsletters, ads and social media.
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Our sales services which includes dedicated, ongoing sales relationship building to wholesale buyers.
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A sales report and pick list each week, sent to you weekly of the products purchased from you.
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Opportunities to plan production and coordinate city delivery with other Food Hub Suppliers.
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Payments sent to you bi-weekly.
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Membership in Fireweed Food Co-op (Food Hub only purchases from Producer Members), which also grants you the opportunity to:
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Participate, vote or run as a board member at our annual general meetings.
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Participate in Food Hub policy feedback opportunities.
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Become a weekly vendor at the South Osborne Farmers’ Market with a discount on tent rentals at the market (subject to availability).
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Become a Producer Member of our Co-op and go through the Supplier On-Boarding Process (more information below).
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Every week, let our supplier coordinator know your updated product list for our online sales platform.
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Restaurant and retail wholesale buyers place orders from you through the Food Hub.
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We send you a sales report and pick list as soon as ordering closes, and you deliver them to the Warehouse, 1145 Fife St in Winnipeg.
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The Food Hub packs and delivers your products to buyers.
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Our full-time sales coordinator is also communicating consistently with our network of wholesale buyers to set up weekly orders and make sales on behalf of producer co-op members.
Become a Food Hub Supplier!
For more information:
Check out our FAQ below!
Read our Supplier Manual and learn about our Food Hub model.
Interested but not sure?
contact Supplier Coordinator Lex: suppliers@fireweedfoodcoop.ca
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When are you open?The outdoor market runs every Wednesday from 4-8pm from June to October.
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Where are you located?We are located in the outdoor rink beside the Lord Roberts Community Centre (725 Kylemore Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3L 1B8).
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You're an outdoor venue...what if it rains?This event is rain or shine, but operations may be paused in the case of a bad thunderstorm. If there are signs of a thunderstorm, please check our Facebook or Instagram page for updates. We try to go on with the market unless absolutely necessary, but will put out an announcement on a market day if we need to pause or cancel operations.
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Are you a cash-only event?No! Most vendors accept credit/debit payment, but it is good practice to bring cash.
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Are you accessible?Please note that this is an outdoor venue. Washrooms are located in the community centre which is wheelchair accessible. Please find a volunteer or staff member (they will be wearing nametags) if you need to use the ramp to enter the community centre and they will unlock the door.
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How can I get there? Is there parking?There are limited onsite public parking spots at the Lord Roberts Community Centre (adjacent to the soccer field) and some street parking available to the public. The small parking lot in the back lane of Berwick (north of the community centre) is designated for vendors only and is also limited. However, why not consider: walking, biking, carpooling, carsharing, or taking public transit to the market? It’s a great way to stay active and reduce your carbon footprint. Below are some resources and extra information to help you plan your trip: CYCLE Grab a bike and ride along on the South Osborne area’s several designated cycling routes. Check out the latest Winnipeg Cycling Map here. Most markets, minor bike repairs will also be available at the South Osborne Bike Hub kiosk. CARPOOL Rather than driving alone, find a carpooling buddy at Go Manitoba with their Single Trip Matching tool. CARSHARE Peg City Car Co-op offers a safe, reliable, easy-to-use car sharing program with over 40 vehicles across the city. Visit their website to learn more. BUS Hop on a bus and come on down to the market. We are right on the Rapid Transit Line, closest to the Fort Rouge transit station (bus stops #11031 and #11032). You can find the Winnipeg Transit trip planner here. Help us support sustainable food and sustainable transportation!
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Is the market kid-friendly?Yes, we are! Each week, our friends at the Lord Roberts Community Centre have planned fun crafts and organized activities for your kids! Colouring and free activities will begin at 4pm every Wednesday. Please note that there must be a guardian accompanying a child working on an activity.
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Is there music?We are proud to feature a diversity of local, talented entertainers who truly add to the sense of community that we strive for at our markets. If you’re interested in becoming a busker at SOFM, please contact community@fireweedfoodcoop.ca to arrange a busking opportunity.
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Are you dog-friendly?Yes! We love to see dogs at the market. We do ask that you please keep your dog on a leash, and bring them only if they are able to handle the noise & large numbers of people at the market. We understand the market can be a bit overwhelming for dogs, and while we would love to meet them all, we ask that you please refrain from bringing your furry friends if they are prone to lunging, jumping, or if they become very excitable at the sight of other dogs.
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I heard there's beer...is that true?Yes, it is true! We serve Half Pints beer and Next Friend Cider at our Beer Gardens. We host our beer gardens in the rink, and drinks can be carried throughout the market so you can sip and shop! All alcoholic drinks must remain within the rink -- they cannot leave the entrance or exit (including the Food Truck area and picnic tables).
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What does your Zero-Plastic Bag Policy mean?We’ve partnered with the Green Action Centre to develop a strategy to reduce our use of plastics and other non-recyclable materials. As such, we have requested that all of our vendors no longer distribute any Styrofoam, plastic shopping and produce bags. Instead, we have a couple options for the public: BRING-A-BAG, LEAVE-A-BAG In 2019 we implemented a free reusable bag sharing program for our customers. Have extra reusable bags? You can drop-off them off at the market during regular market hours. REUSABLE BAGS Handmade tote bags created from second-hand material will be available for purchase at the market.
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What is the Refillable Container Program?In summer 2019, we introduced our refillable container program where market goers can bring their own jars to any of the participating vendors to be refilled for a discount. Please check our social media to find out which vendors are participating that week. Just remember to wash your containers before you come to the market.
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What is your Pay it Forward Program? How can I participate?Our Pay it Forward program offers the chance for the community to support one another, and help make local food more accessible to all. For those who could use a little financial support for your farmers market purchases, tokens of $5 will be available at the Pay it Forward board near the Info Table. A full list of participating vendors will be available at the board, and vendors will also have an identifying logo at their booth. If you would like to make a donation to the program, please come talk to one of our volunteers at the Info Table, or make a donation online.
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What is the Community Food Currency Program and how can I participate?We've partnered with Direct Farm Manitoba to deliver the Manitoba Community Food Currency program. This program is a community-building initiative that seeks to empower members of our community by providing them with currency that can be used towards fresh food at our farmers' market. You can learn more about the program here. This program relies on donations and other sources of funding to continue operating. If you are interested in donating, click here.
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Do you have a Safe(r) Spaces Policy?We do! Fireweed Food Co-op (FFC) strives to create and foster welcoming community spaces for people of all ages, gender identities, cultural identities, abilities, and sexual orientations. We encourage everyone within these spaces to join us in this effort, and we will not tolerate any forms of discrimination, oppression or harassment, including but not limited to: sexism; racism; white supremacy; homophobia; xenophobia; transphobia; classism; ableism; fat phobia or ageism. Have an incident to report? You can notify us: in person to one of our staff or volunteers, via our anonymous feedback box at the info table, via an online form or email saferspaces@fireweedfoodcoop.ca Click here to view our full policy.
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Does the market have gift cards available? How do they work?To purchase a gift card, click HERE or stop by the info booth at the market on Wednesdays between 4-8pm! To redeem your gift card, show the email that has your gift card code to one of our volunteers at the info booth. They will convert your gift card into market bucks that you can be used with any of our vendors! *Please note that we cannot reimburse you in the case of lost coins.
Fireweed Food Hub Supplier
On-boarding Checklist
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Become a Producer Member of Fireweed Food Co-op (if you are not already) by paying our yearly membership fee of $45, online here. Memberships are valid per calendar year (ie. 2019, 2020).
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Complete the Online Supplier Application form, here.
(Note: this form asks for you to upload certain files, including photos of your farm for promotional purposes, and copies of your business insurance and production method certifications if applicable. If you prefer, you can email these to suppliers@fireweedfoodcoop.ca at a later date)
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Familiarize yourself and comply with current local, provincial and federal food safety requirements for the product categories you supply.
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Read the Producer Guide for our online food hub software, Local Food Marketplace, here.
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Set up your profile on Local Food Marketplace by visiting https://fireweedfoodcoop.localfoodmarketplace.com, clicking Producer Login, and begin adding products for sale!