While over a dozen Maine farmers’ markets now stay open year-round, others do not open for the season until June or even July, still others close for the season by mid-September. The reasons for late openings and early closing often—but not always—has to do with the market being dependent upon summer people and tourists. Markets […]
Best Practices
The Question of Sending a Worker to Market
June 12, 2014 CategoriesAt a certain stage of growth in our operations, it becomes apparent that we cannot do everything that needs doing all by ourselves. When this time arrives, we hire helpers to get things done in a more effective and timely manner, as well as to be able to simply do more overall. Hiring the right […]
The Farmers’ Market: An opportunity for self management
January 14, 2014 CategoriesWhat is a Farmers’ Market anyway? At its core, a farmers’ market is a group of farmers (and often other producers) who gather together regularly to offer their wares for sale to the public. In this sense a farmers’ market is itself a business, one whose make up consists of a part of the business […]
Getting out from under
January 14, 2014 CategoriesTransitioning from a sponsored market to an independent market A guide for sponsors of farmers’ markets and members of sponsored farmers’ markets who want to move their market toward greater independence. We recognize that not all farmers’ markets are ready to welcome their market’s independence, nor are all sponsors ready to loosen the reins. But […]
Rainy Days at Market
May 29, 2013 CategoriesAfter a particularly cold and rainy late May market Saturday, some of the MFFM Board members engaged in this exchange of emails, commenting on how to decide whether to go to market at all, and wondering what sort of rules or policies that markets might have regarding inclement weather. Anne K. Saggese, Belfast and Camden […]