Operating a Farmers’ Market

Operating a Farmers MarketA farmers’ market is much more than simply a place where people come together to sell things. Markets require a high degree of collaboration between vendors to be successful. They share expenses, responsibilities, roles, and customers. Often the most successful markets are those that have a clear leadership structure, with multiple people in the market shouldering tasks.

 

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 and well-tuned. Here we discuss some of the important features of any good farmers’ market engine, equally addressed to new markets and to established markets.

Learn More About Good Market Practices

Helpful Links

Working with a Municipality

Getting Out From Under

The Farmers’ Market: An Opportunity for Self-Management

Treasurer’s Report Template

Dependent Markets vs. Independent Markets

Types of Farmers’ Market Members

Triple Bottom Line

Thinking About Starting A Farmers’ Market?

Limiting Market Membership

What Items Are Eligible to Be Sold at Market?

Producer-Only Farmers’ Markets

The Spectrum from Peddlers’ Market to Producers’ Market

Good Market Practices

Advice and Perspective for New Market Applicants

When Does Your Market’s Season Begin?

A Farmers’ Market in Your Town?

Setting Up at Farmers’ Market

The No Show Rule

Filling Market Voids

Buying-in for Resale?

Do Farmers’ Markets Need Managers?

Farmers’ Market Signs

Making Your Market Accessible to All