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market-farming - Re: Vendor selection for Farmer's Mkt.

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  • From: "Del Williams" <delannw AT dlogue.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Vendor selection for Farmer's Mkt.
  • Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 10:39:16 -0500


We went through the same sort of arguments this year - before the season
actually started. We already had one free-range chicken vendor but we let
in a new one. We already had two organic vegetable and herb vendors but we
let in a new one because - in my opinion - she already owned greater acreage
and could provide greater variety to our customers who prefer organic. (She
really is my competition.) Allowed in 5 new vendors in all and every one
does overlap to some extent with existing vendors.

The vote was very close. The arguments against were the desire for no
competition. My argument and the argument of some others was that if we are
confident in our quality and customer commitment then these new vendors have
the competition cut out for them already. Second, greater variety and
options will draw customers. We were already planning to market the market.
Having additional vendors - I felt - would increase the attractiveness of
the market.

Furthermore, all of the existing vendors don't show up all the time. It is
very disappointing to customers to come to a market that is supposed to have
27 vendors when only 10 are there.

For me, competition is a traditional part of American business. As a small
grower and vendor, competition in a sense forces me to improve my stand,
offerings, etc. I think that the people who want us to protect them from
any competition are a bunch of crybabies. In some states or localities I'm
not sure it is even legal to exclude local growers/producers.

Unfair competition is what I care about. Dumpers and vendors sneaking
Alabama sweet corn into an Illinois farmers' market (and the market manager
ok'ed it after many vendors complained). The corn was terrible too. I
think we did more harm to our reputation as a market by allowing this.

I think we improved the market by allowing the 5 new vendors even though
virtually every one of them sells produce or flowers or chickens in direct
competition with other vendors.

Farmer in the Del
Clifton IL






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