When we first started JamBusters! we used the front window space in our newspaper storefront as our main point of purchase. It worked rather well over the past couple of years but with the upcoming closure of our downtown business (Similkameen News Leader) at the end of July 2016, we will be faced with the reality of having to find a new home for our JamBusters! products.
Vending in Princeton's Plaza Market got us started and once my hubby George allowed me to put JamBusters! products in his downtown location we didn't think much about vending after that. We did vend at the Similkameen Sizzle pepperfest in Keremeos - which earned us two awards - and the Princeton Fall Fair as both of those events were in September and at a time of year when George could join me on site.
This year I have vended JamBusters! products at a playground fundraiser for John Allison Elementary School in Princeton and at the BC Backcountry Horsemen Rendezvous in Princeton. Both events I was invited to participate and both were fun and got me thinking more and more about taking JamBusters! on the road.
In June 2016 we started to vend at the Hedley Farmer's Market in Hedley, BC. We had been invited once before but could not fit it into our schedule. We attended that site for a number of weeks and enjoyed the opportunity. It once again showed both George and I that there is a lot of interest in the products we produce under the JamBusters! name. With the upcoming closure of our newspaper business the timing could not be better.
This past weekend we attended the Community & Farmer's Market in Okanagan Falls, BC. It's a little farther to travel but we were extremely pleased with the response we received from visitors, organizers and fellow vendors of the JamBusters! products. For a first-time event, that is to say there has not been a Community & Farmer's Market in OK Falls prior to this, we were impressed with the organization, the professional presentation and overall vibe of the event. They have only been in operation for five weekends and already it was clear to us that this is going to grow into something very special.
Regardless of where we choose to vend our JamBusters! products, what we discover at each venue is that there is an interest in home canning and the salsas, chutneys and jellies I make are interesting enough for many different customers to try and buy. George is an important part of the vending experience for me as he is entertaining to watch when he starts to connect and communicate with people walking up to our booth. He clearly enjoys being there as much as I enjoy having him there with me.
I think that's what makes our new 'hobby' of weekend vending so much fun - it is something we are doing together and we get to share our special canning products with others and it allows us all to connect in some way through food.
Vending in Princeton's Plaza Market got us started and once my hubby George allowed me to put JamBusters! products in his downtown location we didn't think much about vending after that. We did vend at the Similkameen Sizzle pepperfest in Keremeos - which earned us two awards - and the Princeton Fall Fair as both of those events were in September and at a time of year when George could join me on site.
This year I have vended JamBusters! products at a playground fundraiser for John Allison Elementary School in Princeton and at the BC Backcountry Horsemen Rendezvous in Princeton. Both events I was invited to participate and both were fun and got me thinking more and more about taking JamBusters! on the road.
In June 2016 we started to vend at the Hedley Farmer's Market in Hedley, BC. We had been invited once before but could not fit it into our schedule. We attended that site for a number of weeks and enjoyed the opportunity. It once again showed both George and I that there is a lot of interest in the products we produce under the JamBusters! name. With the upcoming closure of our newspaper business the timing could not be better.
This past weekend we attended the Community & Farmer's Market in Okanagan Falls, BC. It's a little farther to travel but we were extremely pleased with the response we received from visitors, organizers and fellow vendors of the JamBusters! products. For a first-time event, that is to say there has not been a Community & Farmer's Market in OK Falls prior to this, we were impressed with the organization, the professional presentation and overall vibe of the event. They have only been in operation for five weekends and already it was clear to us that this is going to grow into something very special.
Regardless of where we choose to vend our JamBusters! products, what we discover at each venue is that there is an interest in home canning and the salsas, chutneys and jellies I make are interesting enough for many different customers to try and buy. George is an important part of the vending experience for me as he is entertaining to watch when he starts to connect and communicate with people walking up to our booth. He clearly enjoys being there as much as I enjoy having him there with me.
I think that's what makes our new 'hobby' of weekend vending so much fun - it is something we are doing together and we get to share our special canning products with others and it allows us all to connect in some way through food.
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