Market Farming

[Marcie Rosenzweig <fullcircle AT jps.net>]

Hi Jim and Julie,

As one who has strated markets and market systems, I applaud not only 
your efforts but your willingness to ask questions so as to avoid 
re-inventing the wheel.  Here are my responses to your latest round 
of questions.

We are still meeting with other growers about starting a market in the
town of Franklin TN.  A few more questions for the list:

1.  With a goal of a June start-up, at what date is it too late to
finalize plans for this growing season?  The first open growers meeting
is planned for Feb 19.

I'm not sure what you mean by "finalize plans."  If you are talking 
about a go/no-go decision, even February 19 would seem late to me. 
If you're talking about membership dues or stall fees and booth 
space, you're probably OK



2.  The open shed that is being looked at for the market has posts placed
in it that won't allow trucks to have room to maneuver inside.  Do any of
you sell at markets that are under roof , but you have to carry veggies,
tables, displays, etc  inside the shed.  Some  vendors would be walking
100 feet or more.  How many growers (older growers, people who sell
alone) will this limit from selling at the market?

I've participated in markets where pack in was necessary.  It is 
difficult on older growers and severly limits display possibilities. 
Some of this can be mitigated by the market association haveing a 
couple of carts and helpers on market day.  Yes, it may cost 
everybody a couple of bucks more, but it's probably worth it.  Is it 
possible to park the trucks on the outside of the shed nedt to the 
market space?  Even if this is possible for only some of the growers, 
you could accomodate you less physically able growers by offering 
them those spots.


3.  25% reselling is being considered:  Can this be regulated
successfully or does this open the window to peddlers?

My personal experience with most markets, especially new ones who try 
this, is that it can degenerate into a flea market feel pretty 
quickly.  By this I'm assuming you are not talking about reselling of 
produce or value-added local products but something else.  If you 
want to incorporate things other than grower-direct, I'd recommend 
compatible,  maker-direct local crafts in their own section.  This 
keeps the buy and support local message and feel of the market.  You 
can charge a difference set of stall fees in each section.


4.  Price floors are being discussed.  Do any of your markets have them
and what is your opinion of their effect on the market?

I know of no market that does this, in part, because most states have 
collusion laws that may put a market and it's association members in 
jeaopardy if they tried this.  What are you trying to accomplish?  If 
you think folks don't know how to price their products, education on 
that topic could be useful.  If you are concerned about dumping, you 
can address that in your market rules.  Also, how you market your 
market (pardon the pun) may very well attract the kind of consumer 
who is able to distinguish the quality differences that are obvious 
in this situation and won't support the lowest-priced spread.


Marcie

Marcie A. Rosenzweig
Full Circle
3377 Early Times Ln
Auburn, CA 95603-7900
(530) 885-9201

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