By Tom Roberts Print and web-based information sources for information about farmers’ markets and farmers’ market culture. And other farm-related publications of interest to small scale farmers. Orono Farmers’ Market 1996 Consumer Survey done by University analysts. The Best of Selling Outdoors, 2011 edition [pdf 1.6mB]. A compilation of the best articles from the MFFM […]
June 2012
Producer only farmers’ markets
June 12, 2012 CategoriesWhat is a Producer-Only Farmers’ Market? It’s a farmers’ market where all members may only offer for sale what they produce themselves. They are not allowed to buy-in items for resale. These markets have adopted stricter standards than the State of Maine minimum of each member being able to sell up to 25% bought-in products. […]
What items are eligible to be sold at market?
June 12, 2012 CategoriesSeveral questions commonly arise about the ingredients used to produce a product sold at market: Can the ingredients be purchased? Do they need to be made by the producers themselves? Must they be Maine produced? Can they come from out-of-state or commercial sources? The Orono Farmers’ Market has a draft version of what items are […]
The no-show rule
June 12, 2012 CategoriesWhen someone joins a farmers’ market, we normally would expect them to show up at least for several market days. Unfortunately, not everyone does. There could be a variety of reasons for this. Sometimes their expectations are higher than reality, and they find that they aren’t going home with the pocketfuls of money they had […]
Farmers’ markets: Feeding the hungry
June 12, 2012 CategoriesFarmers’ Markets and Food Cupboards. Several ways in which food from Maine farmers’ markets can make its way to the hungry. Detailed descriptions of methods already in place and working. Gleaning. Allowing people come in to “clean up” after your harvest is over. Set up a system for using EBT at your farmers’ market. Teach […]
Market Promotion
June 11, 2012 CategoriesPromote your farmers’ market using approaches that cost nothing except for doing them. Of course they need to be kept updated as necessary. To generate the greatest visibility, do as many of these as you can. Click images to visit real examples. Passive promotional methods are those you put out there and wait for people […]
Good market practices
June 11, 2012 CategoriesThe difference between struggling and success can be good market practices. What makes for a good farmers’ market? Certainly a strong and supportive base of shoppers is an essential ingredient. Yet demand for products is simply the fuel. How well the market is organized is the engine. Some engines waste fuel whereas others are efficient […]
Belfast Market Guidelines 2003
June 7, 2012 CategoriesI. PARTICIPATION A. The Farmers’ Market consists of local small growers of vegetables and other related agricultural products; local producers of “added value” items such as baked goods, pickles, preserves, etc.; local people involved in catching, processing and distributing Maine seafood products; local crafts people; and any other category deemedacceptable to the voting membership. B. […]