This years awards were presented at the 2016 AFMA Convention and AGM held on Monday March 7, 2016. Both AFMA award winners received a handcrafted metal award created by Metalwork by Duncan. AFMA believes is supporting local!
AFMA president Johwanna Alleyne shows off our wonderful new award before presenting it to our winners.
Bake it, Grow it, Produce it Award:
sponsored by Western Financial
Recognizes the diversity of the talents of AFMA’s food and grower vendors. The products have to be local and unique. Characteristics of excellence and uniqueness: packaging, labeling, marketing, popularity, customer impact for the market.
WINNER
Cafe Bel Air
Café Bel Air is a new vendor, having started their all-natural handcrafted gourmet popsicles business just over a year ago. In that short time they have been very active participants on the market scene selling at City Market downtown, Southwest Edmonton and Millwoods markets. They often sell out of their popsicles. They were nominated by their customers who cited how they love their innovative ideas such as the take out boxes and love that the ingredients are locally sourced. They are very good at interacting with their customers. The fact that they sell out of popsicles during winter market days in Edmonton proves it! Café Bel Air not only produces a unique, tasty treat but they work hard at giving back to their community. They actively support Meal on Wheels through fundraising efforts throughout the year.
For all of these efforts we are happy to present Café Bel Air with the Bake It, Grow It, Produce It award!
Community Builder Award:
sponsored by Western Financial
Recognizes those who have shown innovation in administration techniques, events, community involvement or promotions to improve their markets.
WINNER
Gayle Rondeel,
Market Manager Rimbey’s Market at the Park
Gayle was nominated by many of her vendors! Since Gayle took over the market a few years ago it has become THE spot to be on Saturday mornings. She has engaged the community and successfully made the market a gathering place. She sets the atmosphere for an incredible local experience for customers as well as the vendor team. Her vendors call her reliable, creative, honest and fun with a great sense of humour. She is caring both for the market and Rimbey community. Gayle also takes time to connect with other market managers. She is often at other markets or speaking to other market managers to learn what she can bring back to Rimbey.
For her commitment to her market and her community please congratulate Gayle Rondeel for winning the Community Builder Award.