Our Farmers Market PDF Download

The concept of buying and selling food at market is not a new one, but in our western food culture characterized by convenience, low prices, and year-round availability, many assume that farmers' markets are hopelessly old-fashioned and over-priced. It's so easy to get ready-to-eat and cheap food that the idea of lining-up in the rain for expensive potatoes seems far-fetched. Yet here we are. When we attended the early Vancouver farmers' markets in the mid '90's, we were skeptical that people would embrace this sort of shopping experience, and indeed, these were not the bustling scenes of commerce that they are today. There was something magical, however, in each transaction. The customers seemed happy to be there: impressed with the quality of the produce, appreciative of the effort to produce it, and willing to pay. We were thrilled to be there too, able to get a reasonable price for the crop, selling to people who seemed to be so encouraging. We were inspired to carry on, and the customers kept coming.Thing have gone well, since then. A well-run, well-attended farmers' market is an outstanding retail environment. The farmer charges enough to cover costs and earn some profit, and the consumer is offered top quality produce and exceptionally motivated customer service. Both parties come back for more, week after week and year after year. Farmers' markets are becoming an institution of a food system that promises to make quality of product and service top priorities, rather than price and ...well...price.It's not all White Rose and Russets though, as we say in the potato business: farmers' markets present challenges for all involved. Customers pay a little more, park further away and brave all weathers. Market management use non-profit budgets to run multi-million-dollar businesses. Farmers exert a lot of energy to grow and arrive with top quality product and must become adept marketers.Customers who are branching out from their store shopping experience have a lot of good choices available to them these days. It's a safe bet that they will at least try going to a farmers' market, because they are certainly symbolic of the clean and green food movement. If that doesn't grab them, they can try a home delivery model, several alternative brick and mortars, and even certain big box retailers, so many of whom are bringing in organic and local. That's a lot of competition. The viability and vitality of farmers' markets must be queried.I have no idea what the future of farmers' markets is. They have been a boon to small farms like mine that wouldn't have been able to make a living relying on wholesale pricing, and I know a lot of shoppers who would not dream of returning to the grocery store for their produce. I also know that only a small fraction of the population has experienced farmers' markets, although they could be convinced, and therein lies the golden opportunity.The growth of markets could be guaranteed forever if every first-time visitor experienced a good dose of appreciation right off the bat. The quality of product at farmers' markets is often exceptional and when the farmer can convey appreciation for the business, we have the makings of a repeat customer. It becomes a worthwhile shopping experience, and they will probably be back for more.The farm vendor has a clear job: get really good at doing markets. Put as much work into selling the product as you do farming it. Become an expert marketer and practice excellent customer service. Make the customers want to come back for more. That's how farmers' markets can not only compete but continue to be the flagship institution of the modern food system. That's what this book is about: helping the farm vendor make the most of being at market.