Market Farming

[Errol Castens <castens AT peoplepc.com>]

Marcy, several things we (and a lot of other markets) have done may add some 
interest – extra reasons for people to come to the market.

Music: It will take someone committed to lining up musicians. The news 
apparently has gotten out that the tips are good at our market (in both cash 
and produce), so it's easier now than the first year.

Coffee and other drinks: We do this at the market's own booth and let each 
week's volunteer handle it. A lot of people look forward to it.

A place to sit: Not crucial, but it helps. We put out plastic chairs; wish we 
had a permanent building with benches!

Help getting purchases to the car: Especially helpful in attracting elders; 
takes either a formal volunteer program or help from vendors who can spare a 
person for a few minutes from time to time.

As for the hours – we open at 7, close at 11. It does force some people to 
make a trip back home before doing their other Saturday errands, but in our 
summers both the produce and the people would be wilted by noon.

BTW, has anybody's market advertised on the food channels of local cable 
systems? If so, how well did it work, and was it cost-effective?

Blessings,
errol

Oxford, Mississippi
Zone 7b

-----Original Message-----
From: marcy <marcy AT aculink.net>
Sent: Jun 22, 2005 12:20 PM
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Questions for list

We're in the second year of a new market with mostly organic/alternative 
farmers.  We have new people coming every week, but our repeat customers seem 
lower than it should be.  Any suggestions or ideas you all have tried that 
did (or didn't work)?  I think it's a new habit that takes a while to form. 
We did fairly well last year for the first year but it's been real slow this 
year (open last 3 weeks).

We're also wondering if demographics are shifting and later market hours 
might work better. We're open 8-1 on Saturdays near a new park in a downtown 
area with high visibility.   What hours are most of your markets open?

We've gotten the excuse that people can't buy stuff (especially meat) because 
they're not going home yet - they've got other stops to make. Does anyone 
have small styrofoam coolers or those foil cold-food paks that they provide 
or sell?   Sources?

Do any markets or vendors use frequent buyer type cards or other incentives 
like punch cards to encourage them to come back again?

How about refrigerator magnets?  I think they just need a reminder right 
there in the kitchen so it's right in front of their face and they don't 
forget to come back the next week.

We have had some real good coverage on radio and papers.

Our directors are meeting tomorrow and I wanted to give them some input 
before the meeting.

Thanks!
Marcy 
SE Colorado -Zone 5ish























































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