Rain can be good for farmers, but not as good for farmers' markets. But despite a rather wet year in 2010 the Royal City Farmers Market saw most vendors retain their customers or gain more.

Jen Arbo, the market's operations manager, said that despite a lot of nasty weather in 2010, vendors at the market had a good year and most are coming back for 2011.

"It was tough. More than half of our markets had pouring rain," Arbo said. "But generally, they were reporting that they were maintaining what they did the previous year or they were improving on the previous year.

"That's a good indication. There's a lot of farmers markets in the Lower Mainland so they have choices. When they sign up to come back, we know it means that they're happy," she said.

Arbo was also pleased to announce that 2011 will see the resurrection of the nutrition coupon program, a service that provides up to 60 young mothers with $15 in market coupons to spend on fresh produce, meat and dairy and some skill building classes on nutrition. Previously, the program was funded by the province but that funding was cut in 2010.

The market and Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church responded by partnering and applying to the City of New Westminster for a $10,000 grant to revive the program.

"There was a skill-building component, so rather than just being offered some free food like a food stamp, they were being empowered to cook nutritious meals for their families and utilize local foods," Arbo said.

"We were very excited that the city actually said yes," she said. "That's our biggest feather in our cap that we're thrilled about."

The market is putting up matching funds for the program, which Arbo said will mean having to cut expenses elsewhere - something she believes is possible and well worth it.

Also incoming for 2011 is some new merchandise with a message. Unlike market T-shirts from last year, which only feature the market's logo, this year's t-shirts prominently display the word "locavore."

"We've chosen to make the merchandise more about making a statement than advertising for us," Arbo said. "The idea is that people will wear it with pride and show off the fact that they're choosing to eat locally and be a locavore."

Arbo said she hopes to expand the market's volunteer base, which she credits with making the market such a hit with both shoppers and vendors.

Back for 2011 will be entertainment every Thursday, and new this year is a kids' craft area to make sure the young'uns have something to look forward to.

Arbo said these are the types of things that go toward the market's goal of not just being a place to shop but a community meeting place.

"We're not just a farmers' market in that each week, there's all this fantastic food, but we're also trying to create a sense of community," she said.

2011 will also see three new members on the market board including Judy Ross, Hennisea Hoy and Marcy Koopmans, all of whom are volunteers for the market.

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The Royal City Farmers Market is set to run every Thursday, rain or shine, from June 9 to Oct. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m at Tipperary Park, next to city hall. The market also holds winter openings: The next two are scheduled for March 12 and April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral.