ABOUT US
Vendor Resources
Why Buy Locally Owned?
http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why
Why Buy Handmade?
http://www.buyhandmade.org/why-buy-handmade
Farmers' Markets Federation of New York has created "10 Principles of a Successful Farmers' Market" which calls out to vendors to give input to the market manager, and speaks to the role board, paid staff, community organizations, and customers as well as vendors each bring to a successful market.
http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/pdf_files/marketprinciples.pdf
These surveys and research can help vendors better understand Farmers' Market customers (you can get these pdfs emailed to you upon request):
- The Women's Institute Buying Local Food Survey Results (2007)
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/wi/projects/buylocal.shtml - Nova Scotia Farmers' Markets Impact Report (FMNS & St FX, 2004)
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/marketing/research/farmersmarkets.shtml - Farmers Markets Canada's report on the impact of Farmers Markets in 2008
http://www.farmersmarketscanada.ca/Upload/file/FMC%20FINAL%20Brochure%202009-ENG.pdf - The Sustainability Poll is a really intersting study y about how to communicate topics around sustainability to Canadians. Specifically, on page 12, there's a useful breakdown of which kinds of people care or don't care about things like sustainability.
A Direct Marketing in Wisconsin program has a number of resources on its website:
- "Create a Winning Display"
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/agmarkets/publications/documents/A3811-2.pdf - "I’m Right and You’re Wrong: Do’s and Don’ts in Customer Service"
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/agmarkets/publications/documents/A3811-2.pdf - "Meeting the Challenges of Direct Marketing"
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/agmarkets/publications/documents/A3811-21.pdf - "Strategies to Attract and Keep Customers"
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/agmarkets/publications/documents/A3811-1.pdf
Potentially useful listserves:
- NS Food Security Network ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). This org sends out emails every two weeks listing events, job opportunities, relevant studies and new items. If our vendors hold workshops or are looking for staff, this might be a good way to get the word out.
- ACORN ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) Not only for Organic Producers, and also sends regular emails with articles, events, and a classified add wanted/for sale type list.
Websites worth exploring (both organizations have monthly e-news):
- Growing for Markets (news, advice and resources for market growers)
www.growingformarket.com - North American Farm Direct Marketing Association (Your Networking Association for Farm Direct Marketing and Agritourism)
http://www.nafdma.com/ - Farmers' Market Coalition
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/