[Market-farming] "Market Money"

TxBeeFarmer TxBeeFarmer at HotPop.com
Sat Mar 1 09:41:09 EST 2008


Our Farmers' Market has been going for several years now, but has always 
suffered from poor participation.  It's the old chicken and the egg problem. 
We need customers but they don't come because there's not enough variety at 
the Market and farmers don't come because there's not enough people to buy 
their produce!!!  So here's one idea to get people to come to the Market and 
keep coming back.

I've been toying with the idea of using "Market Money" - not exclusively of 
course.  Market Money would take the form of tokens, or something similar, 
that can only be used at the Farmers' Market.  Tokens would be sold at a 
small discount - something like 5% less than actual money.  I think the use 
of Market Money will draw people back to use up all their tokens.  I also 
think people will like the idea of getting a bargain.  What do you all 
think?  Any of you ever tried this?  Any ideas on how to solve the chicken 
and the egg problem?

Thanks
TxBeeFarmer (Mark)
West Texas Zone 7b 




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