Market Farming

["marcy" <marcy AT aculink.net>]

Thanks for your input Errol!  We do have a pretty good line-up on muscians.
Not quite every week, but it sure helps. We've also got a few special days
lined up too.

We've got a local roaster that sells coffee and there's also a couple of the
processors that have good stuff to eat. We've got a table and chairs this
year and one of the vendors has their own table too. I take a 5-gallon
cooler of ice water (both for customers and for our own enjoyment).
I sometimes offer to have one of my boys help people to the car with their
purchases but I think we need to add a wagon or two and formalize the
program. There are a couple other farmers with kids that could help too.

I appreciate your feedback.
Marcy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Errol Castens" <castens AT peoplepc.com>
To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Questions for list


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























































________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com
_______________________________________________
Market-farming mailing list
Market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming

Get the list FAQ at: http://www.marketfarming.net/mflistfaq.htm