Download …is defined as a multi-stall market at which farmer

…is defined as a multi-stall market at which
farmer-producers sell agricultural products
directly to the general public at a central or
fixed location, particularly fresh fruit and
Sherry Chase
The Land of Goshen Community Market
www.goshenmarket.org
[email protected]
vegetables (but also meat products, dairy
products, and/or grains).
• Establish a new business
• Expand season
…is managed by a single farm operator and
• Reach more customers
sells agricultural and/or horticultural
• Avoid middleman
• Make more money
products directly to consumers from a
• Direct contact with customers
location on their farm property or on
without them coming to farm
property adjacent to that farm.
• Promote your farm
PLUS
MINUS
• Limited days/times of operation
• Must be off the farm or have someone off the
• Can choose not to attend
• Direct contact with customers
• PR for on farm activities
farm during the market
• Transport all product to the market
• Direct contact with customers
• Most markets require staying even if sold out
• Product ripening may not match market days
• Online searches
• Illinois MarketMaker
https://il.foodmarketmaker.com
• National Farmers Market
Directory - http://nfmd.org
• Chamber of Commerce
• Tourism Bureau
• Word of mouth
• READ the rules and information
• Check online
• Paper copy
• Check days and hours of operation
• Check market “personality”
• Check market requirements
• Certified Organic
• Grower
• Organic Methods
• Producer
• Naturally Grown
• Grower only or
• Low or No Pesticide
• Value-added
product
producer only
market
• Reseller
Do your homework first!
Check State Laws & Regulations
https://www.agr.state.il.us/farmersmarket
• Eggs
• Meat
• Cheese and Dairy
• Baked Goods (value-added)
• https://www.agr.state.il.us/farmersmarket
• http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/fdd/
ILFarmersMrktFoodSafety.pdf
• Be respectful and patient
• They may have a ‘real’ job
• Leave a complete message
• Clear phone number
• Products you want to sell
• Email is best for information
• Is there space for you?
• What do you plan to sell?
• Is there demand for your products?
• Do/can you comply with the state, local, or
• What market programs do they have?
(SNAP/LINK, Double Coupons, etc.)
• What do you need to do next if you want to
participate?
other regulations based on product?
• How often do you plan to attend?
• How much space will you need?
• Previous farmers market experience?
• Will you or an employee be selling?
• How big is it?
• Do you meet the
requirements?
• How does it feel?
• Are you willing to follow ALL
• Look at the stalls
the rules and regulations?
• Look at the customers
• Is this something you are
• Talk to other vendors
excited about doing?
• How are vendors with similar
products set up?
Would you rather be farming than
spending time marketing food?
• CSA – Community Supported Agricultural
• Partner with another grower
• Sell directly to restaurants & grocery stores
• Farm to school program - since 2006 the
number of school districts with farm-toschool programs increased 430%
• Food Hub
• Local group that connects farmers to
food-using businesses
• Increased 288% from 2007 to 2012
• Use a middleman to sell to restaurants,
grocery stores, & distributors
Are you prepared to commit to the
preparation and actual time required?
• Paperwork for market, state, local, etc.
Be prepared to be told:
• Identify niche market
• What you can sell and not sell
• Planting/growing
• How it is grown
• Harvest
• Packaging and labeling rules
• Handling
• How to keep customers safe
• Transport
• Designing stall display
• Actually attending the market
• Sampling laws
• How to keep the Market Manager happy
• Who will go?
• What products will you take?
• How will you transport everything
safely and conveniently?
• Will you need to unload
everything or work from a truck?
• How will you display products?
• How will you take payment?
• What happens to what doesn’t
sell?
• Use what you already have
• Card table
• Hand written signs
• Patio umbrella
• Reuse plastic grocery bags
• Chair=bad
Stool=okay
Standing=best
• Transport containers
• Display materials
• 10 X 10 pop-up tent
• White
• Weights – 25# per leg
• Folding white resin tables
• Fancier signage
• Custom displays
• Certified scale (to sell by weight)
• Visually appealing
• Color
• Contrasts
• Containers
• Waist to shoulder high
• Match your identity
• Consolidate display as you sell items
• Shade products and customers
• Prices
• Clearly marked – if people have to ask,
they won’t buy
• Will you negotiate? At the end of the
market?
• Sales tax is included!
• Create a market identity
• Signs with farm name
• Business cards
• Labels
• Photos
• Handouts/recipes/farm information
cards
• Practice setting up your
display
• Safety
• Tripping hazards
• Wind/rain/severe weather
• Dogs
• Small children handling products
• Pack your “market box”
• Put everything in one spot
• Get change
• Train employee/helper on
products
• Set prices to even dollars (include sales tax)
• Wear/bring layers of clothing
• Sell by quantity not weight
• Clear plastic drop cloths to cover displays
• Use change apron instead of cash box
• Bring sign making supplies
• Power – take more extension cords than you
• Pack duct tape
think you’ll need
• Pack things you use every week in a sturdy
“market box” and leave them there
• Take drinking water and snacks
• Personal appearance
• Be there
• Stand up
• Make eye contact
• Smile
• Say “Hello” and “How are you?”
• Know your products
• When it’s slow – polish fruit,
straighten stand, give samples
• With customers
• Remember names (and kids and dogs)
• Remember what they purchase
• With the other vendors
• They are NOT your competition
• They are resources
• With market staff
• They are here to help make you successful
• They are resources
• Especially the Market Manager!
https://www.agr.state.il.us/farmersmarket/
• Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers,
University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.Missouri.edu/p/G6222
• 8 Tips for Beginner Farmers’ Market Vendors
by Lisa Kivirist
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farmmarketing-and-management/8-tips-forbeginner-farmers-market-vendors.aspx
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6222
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6222