Local Farmers Market

[ArcadianCam]

I will say up front I have no idea where to put this question so please let me know if I need to move this somewhere else.

I’m wondering how to revitalize my local farmers market. Right now the offerings are pretty sad, a few vegetables here and there, maybe some knick-knacks but nothing truly ground breaking.

What I would like is to figure out a near minimum and start there, like ok these are the fruits, vegetables and animal proteins we want to sell year round if possible, then go out and find local homesteaders to fulfill this need. But the issue is I have no idea who/how the local farmers market is run or how to actually make some effective change to make it better.

Another thing id like to see, once basic needs are met with food, then we have the Knick-knacks and even monthly teaching seminars, like making soap or gutting a chicken, things like that. Ultimately I’d like to get my community involved in the buying and selling side but I just don’t know where to start.

 

[Pearl]

Great post!! Farmer's markets were always wonderful! Glad to see you back, and yes, Texas farmer's markets have been slim! Weather ? NO, our weather is the usual! Fear of the Obama/Biden tax you for everything, maybe! Or just people gave up!?!? Let's all hope we have a renewed faith and our once normal great things are great again!!

 

[Peanut]

Until 2015 I had a 200 tree peach orchard, sold at 3 farmers markets. Grew a range of veggies, corn and melons also. 2 markets were in small towns, very rural areas. One in a city of 100K.

Per capita income near the market decides which methods can help or destroy a market. I saw both happen.

That said… no matter the income level one thing should not be forgotten. There is a fundamental need that a farmer’s market fills, they help the poor. Produce in bulk can be purchased at below supermarket rates. This allows the poor and the elderly to get quality foods they can get no where else.

If your market forgets that basic function, it’s doomed. I’d rather sit on the tailgate of my truck and sell produce at an abandoned gas station than spend one minute at a market geared toward people with cash, especially those people who wear “going to the farmers market” as a social badge, something to tell their friends about.

Those people will kill a market quicker than a plague of locusts… (i’d prefer the locusts)

The city of 100K I mentioned… that market fed the very poor, the elderly and the working poor for decades. Until folks with cash teamed up with the city council to create the coolest “farm to table” nonsense the world had ever seen. Organic this or that….

They made it impossible for folks with gardens just to share their bounty by charging exorbitant fee’s with ridiculous requirements just to sell. Only real farmers had the cash, techniques and equipment to jump through those hoops. Many of those didn’t need the headache. Those left had to charge supermarket rates…

After a year 70% of the sellers that made that market great for decades had to, or chose to walk away. 40% of the buyers could no longer afford to shop there.

Morons killed what was a great market!!!! Now only morons shop at the poor excuse for a market that’s left. But It’s all COOL stuff!!! And you can brag to your friends and neighbors about what you bought.

But the real market did survive elsewhere. For a year or two the departed regular/month/year sellers, sold where ever they could. Then they banded together, moved to the outskirts (and across a river) and opened their own market. Once again they filled a critical need. They brought affordable prices to folks who needed great food. Simple foods though, the basics... Once again a small gardener with a extra peas, corn or a couple of melons could sell them without going broke. They filled a real need in the community and are still succeeding.

So, I suggest you examine what kind of market you’re trying to create. If it doesn’t fill a fundamental need in the community it will never be a success.