How To Start A Farmers' Market

Published January 12, 2009 @ 06:03AM PT

Farmers market, Jackson, Missippi; NatalieMaynor So, your neighborhood doesn't have a farmers' market?

The University of Missouri Extension service has a farmers' market start up guide especially for you. Of all the research and information they've pulled together, and they can point you to a lot of good links on publicly accessible html pages, they say this list describes the most important features of a good market:

Vendors who are focused on quality, service and innovation.

A location that is visible and accessible, with adequate parking.

A diverse mix of vendors, products and events.

A clear understanding of the purpose or mission of the market.

A well-designed, comfortable and welcoming public space.

Collaborations and partnerships between the local community, businesses and organizations.

Sound, transparent financial accounting and a sustainable financial plan.

Creative, appropriate and targeted promotions.

A variety of ways to add value to local economies and communities.

Effective, open-minded and fair management.

I participated in a discussion about political organizing with some people in the sustainable food movement and one gentleman who'd organized a local farmers' market co-op said that he didn't have time for political organizing. I think he was wrong, though unknowingly. I think he was obviously a great organizer.

When fast food, junk food and just terrible food are the expected status quo, creating a space where people can get wholesome, local food is a revolutionary act of organizing people to expect better. To expect better meals, tastier produce, and good nutrition in every bite.

Long live the delicious revolution!

(Photo credit: Natalie Maynor on Flickr.)

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Comments (8)

Yes, farmer's market are the best and they stay fresh longer than store bought. Happy shopping!

Posted by G G on 01/12/2009 @ 08:37AM PT
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Love our Local Spanish Farmer's Market, great choices, great prices, and the monies go directly to the farmers. Great idea, not new, but Great!

Posted by leatrice brantley on 01/12/2009 @ 12:59PM PT
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Farmer's markets and Roadside stands... both are Great!

Plus it's way way Cheaper. Don't you hate it when they put 1 tomatoe on the scale and its $4.00??? Yeah, makes you too sick to eat it.

The other thing I like is that its not picked usualy as early as what is sold to the stores.

AND it has not been polished, waxed, and rolled down a conveyor belt with electric eyes determining if its good enuff to eat. YOU get to do that yourself!

Posted by Bart Sabatelli on 01/12/2009 @ 01:18PM PT
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We save a ton on produce and even meat when our local farmers' market is open. I wish it were all the time. Sigh. It goes from twice a week to once a week in the winter (which is lucky, I know some shut down entirely in winter), and sometimes it's impossible to wait the whole week.

Posted by Natasha Chart on 01/12/2009 @ 06:08PM PT
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We have a small Farmer's Market in the neighboring town. There is one booth belonging to the local organic CSA, one booth from a natural farm about a half hour away. The rest seem to be from a couple of states away, and not organic. And I was told by one of the natural farmers that at least one of the booths buys their produce wholesale where the grocery stores get theirs. I was bothered by that. So I tend to ask them where their farms are, and if what I'm thinking of buying is organic. (There are also a number of non-produce booths, like a baker and someone who makes pasta and sauces, etc., and non-food booths.)

Posted by Sue G. on 01/12/2009 @ 08:27PM PT
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An open systems model of an Organic farmers market, with an abundance of local produce is the way to go. These need to be in some form of co-operative with other farmers markets elsewhere to readdress any imbalances caused by local weather conditions or crop failure. This is the way our internal environment works, sustains and repairs its self with trillions of cells working in cooperation and symbioses. It’s wonderful to see people taking the steps for change.

Posted by Steven Burnand on 01/13/2009 @ 02:12AM PT
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In our very successful market, the rule is that vendors have to be from this county, or an adjacent county, and grow their own produce. An exception is that one "trucker" vendor is is given the franchise to bring in produce that is unavailable or in short supply locally. Without this limitation, local growers would be crowded out by big growers from across the state dumping their surpluses here.

Posted by Spencer Selander on 01/13/2009 @ 03:58AM PT
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If there is anyone seriously considering organizing a market and is new to agriculture or dealing with local farmers, know that the support and interest for a market *must* be there from the farmers. I'd say this is paramount, especially at first since gambling on a new market that may not succeed is asking too much for some. Do not assume they will all just be tickled to have a new venue. I put together a market last year with very little support, money or infrastructure and it would have gone a whole lot better if the farmers were more invested. I do not blame them for their lack of speaking up, it's just learning how to deal with people who have the main focus of growing the food day in and out.

Posted by Mary Fahrenschon on 01/13/2009 @ 07:11PM PT
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Author

Natasha is an amateur eater with severe snarkolepsy and a c. 2002 blogging habit. She had a fabulous time studying ecological agriculture and policy at The Evergreen State College, and even did her homework while writing at various times for pacificviews.org, boomantribune.com, and mydd.com.