Starting a Farmers Market

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This can be done through banners across main roads, posters at traffic lights, through your local newspapers and over the radio. When organizing your advertising campaign for your farmers' market, make sure that any banners and posters have been sanctioned by your local governing council. Starting a country market is not something you can do overnight. However, once you are established it is a worthwhile achievement where local farmers are able to sell their produce, and buyers are getting fresh farm produce at reduced prices. Sharing is a way of saying, "Thanks! First Name optional Then.

Farms Around the World Do you know where your local farmers market or country market should be held or the rules and regulations involved? Read our guide to learn what is needed and how to set up a farmers market in your area.

An Old Fashioned Farmers' Market. Comments Do you have something of value to add? You may want to use a combination of both, depending upon budget, access routes to the site, and where you are allowed to put up banners and. Find out about zoning ordinances and if you need insurance to hang a banner. Newspaper ads are frequently used to publicize markets. If you choose to advertise this way, remember it is most effective when done consistently. Placing weekly ads may be expensive, so choose a paper with circulation to your target consumer groups.

Communications research has shown that the more times people hear or see a message, the more effective it will be. Well-designed and cheerful posters and banners conjure up the image of your market in an unforgettable way. Consistent newspaper ads remind people that the market is happening and when. Feature stories and press coverage of special newsworthy events reach large audiences. Finally, offering coupons or two-for-one specials, or sponsoring promotional activities like apple dunking or pumpkin carving contests may also draw new crowds into your market.

In all of this, what is most important is to think ahead, draw up a budget, plan a publicity campaign which is varied in approach but consistently attended to, and foster contacts among the media, community organizations, local businesses and the whole array of potentially supportive people who can help you get the word out. And remember, you do not need Madison Avenue to get your message across!

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If the displays are well laid out and colorful, the farmers dressed and clean, and the scene is generally appealing, the market plays a role in advertising itself. So, too, the farmers must sell themselves. Although working in the fields is not a clean business, a farmer can look like a farmer and still maintain a neat appearance.

Wear shirts and shoes and wash up before going to market. Attitude is an important part of appearance and has a significant impact on sales. Enjoy your customers and be cheerful and courteous. When customers ask you questions about different varieties, or how a crop was grown, be able to answer them. Pay special attention to children and the elderly. Try giving away free samples or leftover produce at the end of the day.

Generosity will not cost you much and encourages people to buy from you. Displays are a very important part of appealing to customers. Raise them off the ground! Raising displays will make your produce more visible and protect it from street dirt and stray dogs. Arrange displays so they are bright and colorful, maybe using a lively cloth or plants and flowers to catch the eye of a passing shopper. Only sell clean produce in neat containers which will not splinter.

And finally, only sell high-quality products, remove any that are damaged, and keep displays full, fresh, and attractive. A display stand will be very useful, even if you are selling off the back of your truck. Provide shelter for your produce to protect it from both sun and rain.

Beach umbrellas or canopies add distinction to your display, but any moveable structure about seven feet high will do. Have a neatly lettered sign identifying you and your farm so people will remember you. Post your prices and other important information legibly. Bring along cardboard and waterproof magic markers for making signs.

If you sell produce by the pound, you will need a certified scale to weigh with. Local inspectors will come around, so be sure the scale is tested and sealed. Selling by the count is often faster than weighing, so a scale is not necessary. If you do not use one, be prepared to explain your pricing to customers. Finally, bring a cash box and keep it out of sight. Vendors may want to wear aprons with pockets for storing change. As time goes on, your customers will get to know your display. You should go to the market frequently enough for them to get to know you, too.

If you hire people to sell for you, send the same ones to market each time and be sure they are informed, quality conscious and friendly. Pay your labor fairly; there are minimum wage laws. Always bring something to sell, from the beginning of the season to the end.

If you need to, add value or find a new way to extend your product's season. Supermarkets never give up shelf space and neither should you. Remember, it takes time to develop a market which will work for you.

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Have confidence in your products, be inventive and allow several visits to the market to establish your reputation. This checklist outlines the basic categories of rules commonly in place at farmers' markets. As you make your own, think about whether you need to determine criteria for the following: Often using seller registration forms helps a market operate more efficiently. These forms can be quite simple: If you manage your market, advertise well, and your farmers bring in a varied assortment of quality products, in time you will become a valued institution in your city or town. Do not forget to use the many resources available to you and to ask for help when you need it.

You will work hard in the beginning, but it should be enjoyable and you will be well rewarded! Have fun and Good Luck! If you need to report child abuse, any other kind of abuse, or need urgent assistance, please click here. Skip table of contents. What is a Farmers Market? Who would be interested in shopping at it? Are there farmers in your area who need new outlets for their products? If so, what types of things would they like to sell?

What are your potential sources of funding?

Starting a Farmers' Market

Site and Market Research Two of the most important tasks to delegate at the first meeting are site and market research. Surveys The best way to get accurate, detailed information is to survey. Demand What is the demand for local produce in your community? If so, how many farmers are selling there? How many people shop there? What sorts of things are available for sale? How many days a week is it open? What are the average daily revenues? Is it profitable for the farmers?

Is it popular with consumers? If so, why is it no longer operating? Will similar reasons affect a new market? Are there other direct marketing outlets for local produce? What is their volume of sales? Who will your consumers be? What are their income levels? What are their age groups families, elderly, students? When do they like to shop? How frequently would they use a farmers market? How many supermarkets and grocery stores are nearby? Have any grocery stores recently closed in the area? Do any local stores carry local produce?

If so, how close by? How much volume do they do? What is their reaction to a proposed farmers market? Are local farmers already selling in farmers' markets? If so, are they pleased with the experience? If not, would they be willing to try a farmers' market? Are they looking for more direct marketing outlets? How much money do they want to make each day? What crops do they grow?

How far would they be willing to travel? When are their products available? Site Selection Top priorities: Is the market easy for customers to get to, and to get in and out of? Is there plenty of parking nearby? Farmer and truck accessibility. Is there enough space for trucks to get in and out, turn around and park, and for farmers to set up their displays? Can the pavement support trucks? Blend with community infrastructure.

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Are police and fire routes clear? Is the site accessible to handicapped people? Will the market blend in with the community? Is there activity or potential for activity around the market sIte? Are there bus or train stops near? Is it easy for farmers to get to? Are there public facilities? Is water available to wash and cool produce? Is there any protection from the weather? Is it expensive to use the space? Who owns the space? How to Run a Farmers Market. Membership Meetings, elections and amendments Dues and liquidation How fees will be determined The role and duties of officers and directors Board of Directors Typically, the Board of Directors is composed of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and several directors.

Fees The Board of Directors also sets the fees. Redeem food stamps Obtain permits and insurance Recruit farmers Go to necessary public meetings and hearings Promote the market Attract feature stories in the local press Collect fees Carry out the directives of the Board of Directors Additionally, if cars need to be cleared out of the parking lot, the Market Master calls the tow truck. Brass Tacks Now that you have answered the questions of what, why, where, when and who, you can ask about how.

Permits The need for permits will vary from place to place. Liability Find out whether you are required to have insurance to operate on the site you have chosen. Incorporation Insurance coverage is not the only reason to incorporate. What type of association do you want to form? Will incorporating make a difference? Do you have legal or insurance reasons for incorporating?

Do you want for profit, nonprofit or cooperative status? How much will it cost to file for each type of status? If you operate on a for profit basis, what will your minimum taxes be? What other costs are involved? SNAP benefits may only be used to buy food or seeds with which to grow food. They cannot be used to buy flowers or ready to eat prepared foods. Food bought with SNAP benefits must be sold at the same price as if payment were in cash.

The SNAP customers cannot exchange benefits for cash. Market Management There are many aspects of market management which will have to be attended find volunteers to accomplish them. If you have a farmers' market organization, work with them Getting in touch with agricultural groups and advertising through newsletters are effective ways to encourage growers to participate in your market.

Pricing There are two main issues to consider with pricing: Space Allocation Another potentially troublesome area is space allocation. Quality, Home Grown Products One more area where disputes can arise is over quality and whether or not all farmers at the market are selling their own crops. Promotion and Advertising There are many ways to attract people to your market. How to Sell at a Farmers' Market. Generosity will not cost you much and encourages people to buy from you Displays are a very important part of appealing to customers. Farmers' Market Rules Checklist.

Who may sell in the market? Price fixing, and pricing generally. What products may be sold? Health and safety for vendors and customers.

Starting A Farmers Market

Hours and days of operation. Use of equipment, displays, and scales. Use of signs and promotion. Your chamber of commerce may be another resource for potential vendors. You then need to convince farmers and other potential vendors that spending a few hours a week at the market is worth their time. Advertise the market to the public, especially when it first opens. Public radio and local newspaper ads are less expensive than commercial radio or TV ads. Of course, free publicity is the best of all.

Investigate community information sources such as newsletters and public event boards. There are some general points to consider when developing market rules and bylaws. You and other market leaders will need to consider the kind of market you want to create, which will guide the decision on the type of market manager you'll need to hire.

At first the manager may be a volunteer, but successful markets sometimes grow big enough to require full-time management. The market's insurance needs will depend on a variety of factors. You should consult an insurance specialist to determine what type of insurance your market will need.

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