Starting a Farmers Market or Country MarketThinking of Starting a Farmers Market? Do you know where your local farmers market or country market is held? Are you looking to set up such a market? Then read more here. What are Farmers' Markets & Country Markets?A Farmers Market or Country Markets are basically venues that have been created to allow farmers to sell their produce that they have grown or made, directly to the public. This may be in the form of fruit, vegetables, cheese, milk, butter, eggs, poultry, meat, pickles, jams, cakes and other produce that has been made on the farm. Country Markets also include country arts and crafts. Some of these markets may have been very loosely formed by the producers themselves and others may have been set up through a governing body that monitors prices and the standards of produce for sale. One such governing body is FARMA in the UK. FARMA (Farmers' Retail & Marketing Association) encourages the sale of local produce but also issues certification as a show of excellence to those who make the grade and exhibit and sell at their markets. Starting a Farmers MarketDo your homework! Make sure that when starting a farmers market you find out from your fellow farmers that there is both a need and a high level of enthusiasm and support for such a venture. For there is no point setting something like this up, if there is not. Also make sure that there will be a variety of produce to choose from, from your farmers. No one wants to come to a market to find out that everyone is selling tomatoes! A slight exaggeration, I know, but I think you understand what I am saying. Variety is the spice of life, and will keep your regular buyers coming back for more. Don't contravene any by-laws of your town, including getting permission from the council to hold the market in the first place. Trading licences and getting the right insurance will all need to be applied for and approved before you can hold your first farmers' market. Make friends with your local council as they will play a big role in helping you run a successful market. Remember too, that with food you will also need to look into satisfying your local Health Department, especially if meat and poultry are being sold at your farmers' market. Location! Location! Location! When starting a farmers market or country market make sure that you have high visibility and you are not tucked away on some back street where you will not get the passing traffic that will make up a large part of your sales. You need to be ideally on the main square of a town, or a main thoroughfare. You will also need to take into consideration any inclement weather, and to make sure that if it rains, both your vendors and your buyers will be protected. Lastly, make sure that there are some seating areas for those who want to sit and chat, or just take in the ambience. Advertise!Once you have sorted out the legalities, and have your venue and your vendors, then you need to get the trade. People will need to know that they can come and buy fresh produce when you intend to so make sure that you have advertised the time and venue of the event. 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 farmers market or 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.
Where is your Farmer's Market? Do you display your produce at a local farmer's market? Or do you buy from a market near you? Let us know where they are and what you think of them by contributing below. Farmer's Markets in the USA - See Below! Farmer's Markets in South Africa Top 12 Farmer's Markets in the UK TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
Do you have a farmer's market that you visit regularly? Or perhaps you sell your products at your local market? What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Benton Farmers' Market
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Rondebosch Organic Market
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Market Days at the River
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New Town Farmers Market
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Downtown Hampton Farmers Market
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Coit Road Farmers Market
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Farmers Market at LaCenterra
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Siler City Farmer's Market
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Benton Farmers' Market
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Williamsburg Farmers' Market (VIRGINIA)
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Annapolis Farmers' Market, MARYLAND
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Dupont Circle Farmers' Market, Washington, DC
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St. Michaels Farmers' Market, MARYLAND
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Harbour East Farmers' Market, Baltimore, MD
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Silver Spring Farmers' Market, MARYLAND
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H Street Farmers' Market, Washington, DC
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Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
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Foggy Bottom Farmers' Market, Washington, DC
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Bothell Farmers Market (WA)
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Granby Farmers Market
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Matthews Community Farmers' Market
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Belleville Farmer's Market
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Montpelier Farmer's Market (VT, USA)
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