A core component of MFFM’s mission is to make healthy, local food accessible to more people. In 2023, we introduced a new pilot program through partnership with the Maine Senior FarmShare Program that expanded food access options for older adults at the Bar Harbor, Kennebunk, and Sanford Farmers’ Markets. Eligible older adults who shopped at […]
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 […]
Advice and perspective for new market applicants
February 13, 2013 CategoriesThis was written by Janet Weaver and Tom Roberts in the Winter of 2013 as an introduction to the world of farmers’ markets to be given to new market applicants. Why are you joining a market? Is hauling your wares to a farmers’ market going to be your only income source? Is the Market a […]
Why it is important to read your customers
October 24, 2012 Categories…so they’ll enjoy their shopping experience and want to come back. Why do some market members do very well on days when others seem to do poorly? Most likely the reason is that those who are doing well are those who are paying proper attention to the passing shoppers. It is vital to remember that […]
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 […]