Pictures from the June market

The June market was a rousing success! We didn't keep an official tally but it seemed like hundreds of people came to check out our return!

No doubt the nice weather contributed to the large number of attendees.

Women's clothes are one of our fastest-moving sections.

 We even had a separate rack just for women's clothes. This is one of the new racks we've obtained.

Health and beauty products were on this table.

Campbell Avenue Park also has a series of large rocks with flat surfaces that we use as tables. 

  

 We ask that all attendees at the market follow this code of conduct.

We had a number of plants at the market. Hopefully we'll have more over the summer.

Food Not Bombs will not be serving food

Yesterday, RRFM received an email stating that, "Unfortunately RRFM or any group of volunteers you are bringing in under your banner are not allowed to serve food at tomorrow's market. The serving of food falls under public health, and this is too short notice to ensure proper food handling will be adhered to. If you would like food to be served at future markets we can set up a time to meet with RRFM & Food Not Bombs.

 

Prior to meeting we would need an outline on how RRFM intends to adhere to public health requirements for a temporary food operations. Please keep in mind that the kitchen would be off limits, as it would be in use. These are the requirements that RRFM would need to adhere to and the package to fill out prior to sitting down for a meeting.

http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/pdf/vendor_package.pdf

 

Hopefully this give you an idea of what is needed in advance of getting the ok to serve food.

 

All the best tomorrow and we'll see you soon."

Food Not Bombs will not be at the park giving out food as part of the Really Really Free Market. 

Our contribution wish list

People have frequently asked to donate money to the Really Really Free Market. While we appreciate the sentiment behind the offers, the RRFM is a cashless enterprise and it would be against our attempts to promote a money-less "gifting" economy by accepting money. However, we do accept contribution of goods and services, and there are always things we need. If you are able to give us any of the following, we would be forever grateful.
In no particular order, here are some of the things we would appreciate:
1) Tables with foldable or detachable legs
2) A slightly bigger bookcase
3) Large whiteboards for putting up signs
4) More volunteers!
This list will become a permanent part of the sidebar to the right, and will be updated if and when we receive the items or we think of more stuff. Please contact us at rrfmarket@gmail.com if you are willing to donate anything on the list.

The Return of the Really Really Free Market!

No money. No barter. No exchange. Toronto's Really Really Free Market is returning on June 6th! Bring items that you'd like others to have and take items that others want you to have. You don't need to bring items to take items. We can only accept things that are clean and in working condition - nobody wants dirty socks or broken computer screens. They also don't want underwear, no matter how clean. As a general rule, bring only items in a condition that you yourself would take. We also cannot accept large items as we have no way of disposing of them if nobody takes them. If you do bring a large item, we ask that you leave your contact information with a volunteer so we can contact you if no one takes it.

For the first time ever, Food Not Bombs will be present at the market and will be giving away free and delicious vegan food.

The market is open from 10 am until 4 pm. We stop accepting items at 3 pm and cannot accept anything before 10. Please treat everyone at the market with respect and generosity. We hope to see you there!

UPDATE: Food Not Bombs will be arriving around noon and serving until they run out of food. Bring your family and friends and make a day of it!

SECOND UPDATE: Food Not Bombs will not be serving as part of the Really Really Free Market. See this post for details.

The Market will return--as soon as we have enough volunteers!

Would you like to volunteer two or more hours at our once-a-month market?

We need help with:
Helping market goers by answering their inquiries and assisting in placing their stuff on tables
Keeping tables organized and easily accessible
Setting up
Taking down
Taking leftovers to charities with your bike or other vehicle


If you think you can do some of these, please let us know.
Remember, volunteers, just like other market-goers, can take from the market whatever they wish to!

In order to start the market again, we need more organizing volunteers!

Organizing volunteer work involves:

1. One two-hour meeting per month, and
2. One organizational task, usually online, usually about an hour a month -- usually only one of the following: 

• updating and e-mailing the once-a-month market announcement, 
• posting mass media announcements,
• updating blog/twitter/facebook, 
• coordinating market volunteers, 
• coordinating end-of-day pickups, 
• photographing market, 
• liaison with Campbell Park contacts,
• setting up the next meeting. 

If you think the above fits you (that is, about a 3-hour commitment per month), we would love to invite you to become part of the change by attending our next meeting this month.

Please write to us as soon as possible and we will forward you the meeting information and background information.

MARKET POSTPONED UNTIL RE-ORGANIZATION TAKES PLACE

Dear market-goers and volunteers,

In order to improve the Really Really Free Market at Campbell Park, we have decided to postpone the monthly market until we come up with and put into effect an action plan. We are most likely to resume in spring 2015.

The areas that we plan to focus on most are:

(1)  Volunteer involvement at the organizational level and at the market;
(2)  Effective and reliable means of transporting market leftovers to charities, etc.;
(3)  Guidelines to spread the sharing and co-operation spirit to the few individuals who continue to engage with the market in a competitive mind-set.

We welcome suggestions as we have in the past--in keeping with the principle that a Really Really Free Market involves no money and no swapping. We encourage and would love to have those of you who are available to become involved in the market in order to hasten bringing back the market as soon as possible.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

We will miss you all until we see you again. Thank you for making the market the success that it has been for over two years, 26 markets!

Here's to a new and improved Really Really Free Market at the park!

If you would like to hear from us when the market resumes, just send a short message to rrfmarket@gmail.com. And don't forget, we always need lots of volunteers! Volunteering is fun, and you can take anything from the market, just like everyone else. If you want to get involved with RRFM, either at the organizing stage, or at the market itself (of both!) drop us your name. Another thing we need help with is taking the leftovers to charities at the end of the market!