Market Farming

["Steve Sando" <steve AT mrlucky.com>]

From: <HackettShark AT aol.com>
>   I am a market manager and there is no
> other reason to limit produce except to protect thyself.  We encourage new
> vendors to our market of all types of produce and any other product that
we
> can come with even though our market is over full with vendors.

What a swell attitude! I know I'm preaching to the choir at this point, but
a big market with lots of diversity can become a destination instead of just
a convenience and novelty.

Liz wrote:
> Anyway, there are other ways to set yourself up to do business in your own
> town.  Find a vacant lot somewhere, and get permission to sell.  Find a
> yard, or shopping center who will let you set up.  Anywhere, somewhere.
The
> fm doesn't have a monopoly.

That's a great idea. What kind of hours did you keep?

In re: Jay's campaign for advertising, I've already arranged with a local
paper for next year by bartering! Being "thrifty", advertising feels like an
indulgence I can't afford, but I also know Jay is probably right. So
bartering for the service, especially when I can do the work over the winter
when it's slower, makes perfect sense. If the advertising has an impact, it
will much easier to part with my dollars in the future. I also have a huncg
I might be first in line if an article ever needs an interview.

All in all, I'd say my first season was a success in that I'm still here and
enthusiastic. It was shocking watch the crowds go to the other vendors those
first weeks while I sold next to nothing. And it was incredibly gratifying
having a woman scream out in a crowd, "What was that I just ate??!??!".
After a beat (and my coronary) , she said, "That was the best tomato I've
ever eaten!" And making friends with the other vendors who seemed to snarl
at me those first weeks is also a kick.

But the best thing was being asked, "Is this fresh?" and me being able to
say, "Picked this afternoon from about 10 miles away!"

Steve