Washington State Farmers Market Manual
Washington StateFarmers Market ManualSeco n dE di t i o n2012Update
WSDA Publication number: AGR PUB 307-189 (R/12/12)Inquiries regarding availability of this publication in alternative formatsshould be directed to the WSDA receptionist at (360) 902-1976.Dan Newhouse, Director
Washington StateFarmers Market ManualThe Washington State Farmers Market Manual is a publication of the Washington State Department of Agriculture Small Farmand Direct Marketing Program, the Washington State University Small Farms Program, and Washington State Farmers MarketAssociation. Funding for the First Edition was provided in part from a US Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop grant. TheSecond Edition of this publication is based on work supported by a USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service Farmers Market PromotionProgram (FMPP) grant, under Award No. 12-25-G-1205. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed inthis publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All rights reserved 2007, 2012.Project DirectorsMarcia Ostrom, Washington State University Small Farms ProgramFred Berman, Washington State Department of AgricultureKaren Kinney, Washington State Farmers Market AssociationAuthorsMarcia Ostrom and Zachary D. LyonsContributorsJennifer Brown, Clayton Burrows, Kira Doley, Colleen Donovan, Richard Hines, Karen Kinney, and Leslie ZenzReviewersLarry Lev, Karen Kinney, and Patrice BarrentineProduction and LayoutMary Kempfert and Andrew MackPhotographsPatrice Barrentine, Fred Berman, Curtis Beus, Bee Cha, Sally Chapin, Kevin Dugan, Becky Erickson,Malaquias Flores, Sheila Gray, Julie Haakenson, Linda Hall, Richard Hines, Mary Kempfert, Erik Lampi,Dave Muelheisen, Pat Munts, Chrys Ostrander, Marcy Ostrom, Kirsten Workman, and USDA-ARS PhotosWashington State Department of AgricultureOlympia, WA 98504Copies available for download at: http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/SmallFarmWSU Small Farms ProgramCenter for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural ResourcesWenatchee, WA 98801www.smallfarms.wsu.eduWashington State Farmers Market AssociationSeattle, WA 98118www.wafarmersmarkets.comCover Photos: (main) Olympia Farmers Market, (top right) Bellingham Farmers Market, Pike Place Market, Spokane Farmers Market,and Leavenworth Farmers MarketSection Photos: Tacoma Farmers Market
Washington StateFarmer Market ManualTable of ContentsIntroduction.1Section 1: Steps for Starting a Farmers Market.31.1 Initiating a New Market. Assessing Market Dreams.51.2 Market Homework. What to Learn Before Starting the Process.61.3 Organizing an Exploratory Meeting.Sharing a Vision, Measuring Interest, and Forming a Steering Committee.71.4 Assessing the Feasibility of a Market. The Committees Get to Work.91.5 Organizational Planning. Building an Operating Structure.131.6 Getting Down To Business. Developing Governing Documents, Setting Market Rules,Recruiting Board Members, Selecting a Site, Finding Vendors and More.15Section 2: Best Practices in Market Management.232.1 Record Keeping. Ways to Measure and Track Progress.252.2 Market Evaluation. Useful Assessment Tools.272.3 Risk Management. Establishing a Safe Market.312.4 Technology Tools for Markets. What Works?.362.5 Finessing the Right Product Mix. Optimizing Diversity, Quality, and Quantity.392.6 Farm Product Verification. .412.7 Vendor Best Practices. Coaching Vendors for Strong Customer Relationships and Sales.442.8 Cross-Cultural Skill Building. Strategies to Create a Welcoming Market.452.9 Sustainability. Improving the Market Footprint.462.10 Understanding Federal and State Food Programs. .492.11 Low-Budget Promotions and Media. .512.12 Public Education and Relations. Building and Engaging New Partners.532.13 Special Events. Organizing Events That Meet Multiple Market Goals.552.14 Fundraising for Markets. Opportunities, Challenges, and Considerations.58Section 3: Reevaluating Marketsfor Continuous Improvement.613.1 Revisiting Mission and Goal Statements.633.2 Reevaluating Management Structure. 643.3 Reassessing Location. 673.4 Strategic Planning to Enhance an Existing Market. 68Conclusion. 71References. 73Resources. 75Appendix. 79Sedro Woolley Farmers MarketSedro Woolley, WAi
FIntroductionarmers markets have been experiencinga renaissance in America since the late1970s. During the last ten years, inparticular, the USDA estimates that thenumber of farmers markets nationwide has doubled.Similarly, Washington State has seen steady growthfrom 56 operating markets fifteen years ago to over 160today. A resurgence of farmers markets is one face of awidespread grassroots movement to revitalize smallscale, community-based agriculture as an alternativeto an increasingly globally organized and impersonalfood supply.to take advantage of the crowds and existing nearbybusinesses may experience increased sales on marketday. Markets can draw new shoppers into downtownbusiness districts. Markets can also serve as businessincubators by providing a testing ground for new,value-added agricultural products and novel crops.While most markets tend to be utilized by people fromnearby neighborhoods, they can also attract visitorsfrom surrounding areas and even serve as a hub ofculture and tourism for a larger region.Farmers markets are popularwith consumers who believeMany perceive farmers marketsthe food is healthier, tastier,as a recent phenomenon,and fresher and like tohowever they are an agesupport local farmers. Inold tradition. From thesome communities, freshbeginning of agriculture,fruits and vegetables maywherever farmers couldnot otherwise be availableproduce more than theyat all, while in others,could consume, markets weremarkets meet the growingheld to trade surplus goods.demand for specific typesIn the U.S., historians pointof products such as locallyto a burst of new farmersgrown, organics, heirloomand public markets duringfruits and vegetables, artisanthe late 1800s in responsecheeses, honey, fresh berries,to the Industrial Revolution,or grassfed meats. FederalOlympia Farmers Market, Olympia, WAbut some markets, suchFarmers Market Nutritionas Quincy Market in Boston, Reading Terminal inPrograms can provide new opportunities for seniorPhiladelphia, or Central Market in Lancaster, havecitizens and low-income families to obtain fresh fruitsroots going back to the American Revolution or earlier.and vegetables through farmers markets.George Washington worked to shift the trend of raisingcommodity crops for overseas trading to raising foodMost notably, people seem to treasure the experiencecrops for local markets. Farmers markets have persistedof shopping at farmers markets. In an era of big boxbecause of the clear economic and social benefits ofstores, shopping malls, and convenience food chains;creating a public space for buyers and sellers and othermarkets offer a rare opportunity to be out in the freshcommunity members to come together and interactair, discover tasty new fruits and vegetables, meet thedirectly with one another.farmers, learn how the food was grown, and gatherwith friends and family. Few other institutions bringToday, farmers markets are critical to the survivalcommunities together more than farmers markets.of many small family farms and the preservationof farmland around the country. Selling directly toThis renewed appreciation for the benefits of farmersconsumers allows farmers to become more profitablemarkets is reflected in the increasing numbers ofby obtaining retail rather than wholesale prices andWashington communities that want to start a market.developing a loyal customer base. Washington’s farmersThe purpose of this manual is to encourage and assistmarkets provide profitable market outlets for farmerscommunities, farmers, and citizen groups to createin a variety of communities throughout the state.and successfully operate vibrant community farmersThey also contribute to local community economies.markets. While a number of excellent farmers marketMoney spent in farmers markets goes directly to themanuals and resources already exist, this document isfarmers and can be recirculated to support other localdesigned specifically for Washington State and includesjobs and businesses. This entrepreneurial activityreferences, regulations and links to local and stateencourages additional economic activity. For example,resources. The content is organized by the differentperipheral businesses may locate near farmers marketsstages of a market’s development.Introduction1
Organization of the ManualSection 1: Steps for Starting a Farmers Market.Most successful farmers markets in Washington havebeen developed through a step-by-step planning process.This manual illustrates the most important steps toconsider when planning or starting a market fromdeveloping a vision through organization building.Section 2: Best Practices in Market Management.This section summarizes a set of best practices formanaging farmers markets. Although establishedmarkets are the primary audience, start-up marketscan learn from it as well. This section provides ideasfor enhancing market sales and strengthening the2customer and vendor base, as well as other suggestionsfor enhancing markets gleaned from successful managersthroughout Washington State and the United States.Section 3: Reevaluating Markets for ContinuousImprovement. Even the most successful markets haveroom to learn and grow. Every market should regularlyevaluate itself to ensure its health and re-envisionthe future. Topics include reviewing and updatinga market’s mission and goals, updating governingdocuments, reevaluating management structures, anddeveloping a strategic plan for the future.
Steps for Starting a Farmers Market11.1 Initiating a New Market.Assessing market dreams. Page 51.2 Market Homework.What to learn before starting the process. Page 61.3 Organizing an Exploratory Meeting.Sharing a vision, measuring interest, and forming a steering committee. Page 71.4 Assessing the Feasibility of a Market.The committees get to work. Page 91.5 Organizational Planning.Building an operating structure. Page 131.6 Getting Down To Business.Developing governing documents, setting market rules, recruitingboard members, selecting a site, finding vendors and more. Page 15Section 1: Steps for Starting a Farmers Market3
Step 1: Initiating a New MarketAssessing Market DreamsWhile anyone can initiate a farmersmarket, from farmers to communitygroups to city governments, mostmarkets result from the inspirationand persistence of one person or a small group. Theseinitiators recognize the potential of a farmers marketin their community, carefully assess its feasibility, anddetermine to make it a reality. Market initiators havemany things to consider before proceeding. “Why do wewant to have a market?” is the single most importantquestion initiators should ask. The answer to this centralquestion will impact nearly every aspect of creatinga vision and a plan for the market. Other importantconsiderations will follow such as whether there is asufficient customer and farmer base, where and whenthe market should operate, and how the market willrecruit farmers, shoppers, and community partners.Self Evaluation. After careful consideration of whetherthere is a need for a market, the first step for any newmarket is a realistic assessment of what will be requiredto ensure success. Since it is not realistic to think thatone person will have all the skills or energy to completethis task, forming a strong organizing committee will bean essential part of the process. Planning and startinga viable new market takes concentrated time, energy,and resources, but it can be done. Farmers markets havea long history of success in Washington and continueto grow in popularity.Questions to ask before initiating a market:1. Why are we doing this? Knowing the reasonsfor starting a farmers market will help articulatea vision, determine how the market should bestructured, and decide who should be engaged inthe process. Is the market primarily being createdto revitalize a community’s business district,support family farmers, or improve access tofresh local produce (or all three)? Regardless ofthe motivation for starting a market, a market’scustomers are its vendors. The vendors’ customersare the shoppers at the market. It is important todevelop a shared mission that incorporates bothfarmer and consumer perspectives.2. When should the market open? Many peopleget so excited at the beginning of spring about anew farmers market season that they want to startone immediately. However, extensive planningis needed to launch a successful farmers market.Phinney Farmers Market, Opening Day, Seattle, WAIt is wise to give the organizing team adequatetime to prepare—maybe a year or longer. Manybuilding blocks and partners are required for amarket to succeed. False starts can create a loss ofinvolvement from potential collaborators and,most importantly, a loss of participating farmers.It is vital that a market’s opening day is a truecommunity happening, with an abundance ofcustomers, vendors and beautiful fresh produce.3. Where should the market be? First, marketplanners need to map out where and when othermarkets are currently operating. It is unwise fora market to be so close to another market that itrenders both markets weak. Farmers markets areabout community, and not just the community inwhich one particular market operates. Markets arealso about the greater community of markets andthe community of vendors that the market serves.Markets should complement rather than competewith each other. The location and time will needto accommodate the market’s vision, its customersand vendors, its neighbors, and its future.4. How does one start a market? Starting amarket involves developing a vision and mission,organizing a core steering committee, and conductinga feasibility analysis. If the committee decides tomove ahead, the next steps involve engaging keycommunity partners and support, planning anorganizational structure, and building a dynamicboard of directors. The board will ultimately securea market manager and guide the market throughopening day and ongoing operations.Section 1: Steps for Starting a Farmers Market5
Step 2: Market HomeworkSWhat to Learn Before Starting the Processubstantial preparation is needed prior tostarting a farmers market. First, review thistext and the other resources referenced. Next,visit a wide variety of operating markets tomake observations, talk with market managers, andhold informal conversations with vendors about theirmarket preferences. Research the history of farmersmarkets in a proposed neighborhood and the largercommunity. Have there been other attempts to start amarket? If so, what happened to them? If they failed,why did they fail? Are there other markets nearby orin neighborhoods with similar demographics? Whathas worked well for them? Become familiar with thecharacteristics of the target market neighborhood.What is the average age of the families living there?What cultural background do they come from? Wheredo people currently shop for food?Washington’s farmers market system has a uniqueasset in its statewide association, the Washington StateFarmers Market Association (WSFMA), one of the twooldest state farmers market associations in the U.S. TheWSFMA sets standards for markets, provides access toinsurance, offers educational opportunities for farmers,market managers, and board members; and works inpartnership with Washington State University (WSU)and the Washington State Department of Agriculture(WSDA). Most farmers markets in Washington belongto the WSFMA and voluntarily abide by its statewidestandards. It is important to become familiar with thisorganization and its programs and, if possible, attendits annual winter conference workshop on marketstart-up and management.2004 WSFMA Farmers Market ConferenceWSU Puyallup, WADevelop a Unique Vision for your Market.The most important homework is to begin creating aunique vision for your farmers market. Being able toclearly communicate a vision to others will be the keyto motivating their participation. It will be helpful todevelop a solid understanding of the potential benefitsof a farmers market for your community and anoutline of the characteristics you would like to see ina market. For example, a market vision can be framedin terms of helping local farmers, supporting localbusinesses near the market, downtown revitalization,economic development, community health, communityfood security, or some combination of these points.California’s market manual emphasizes the importanceof writing these ideas down and offers several samplemarket visions, as well as a useful vision developmentworksheet (Jolly 2005 (1): 9-13).Sample Market Mission Statement:The NFMA’s mission is to support and strengthen Washington’s small farmsand farming families. We do this by providing effective direct sales sites for ourregion’s small farmers, and by educating consumers about local farm productsand the importance of supporting and preserving local farmland.Source: www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org, 20126Section 1: Steps for Starting a Farmers Market
Step 3: Organizing an Exploratory MeetingTSharing a Vision, Measuring Interest, and Forming a Steering Committeehe next step is to hold an exploratory meetingwhere the vision of the new farmers marketcan be shared with potential partners,stakeholders, and community supporters.The goal of this meeting is to assess interest levels,invite participation and ideas, and, ultimately, identifya core group of committed partners who can carry theproject forward as a steering committee. This meetingwill require careful planning and publicity so as toattract and engage a wide range of participants.Plan the meeting. First, reserve an affordable and easilyaccessible public meeting space and begin developinga contact list of people to invite. Requesting support inthe form of a meeting space is a good opportunity toenlist the help of potential allies early on. Examples ofmeeting venues that may be offered free of charge forthe pu
Washington State Farmers Market Manual The Washington State Farmers Market Manual is a publication of the Washington State Department of Agriculture Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program, the Washington State University Sma
and uniqueness of vendors with a focus on producers, growers and makers. Today, the Dallas Farmers Market is the largest farmers market in Texas and continues to be a thriving market! THE MARKET In 2016, the Dallas Farmers Market opened The Market, nearly a 30,000 square foot artisanal food hall with shops and restaurants at 920 S Harwood Street.
On an average market day, 916 households shopped across markets in the U.S. and spent 14,547 per farmers market. Farmers Market Managers served as paid employees in 4,321 markets, while in 3,162 they served as volunteers. On average, the paid Farmers Market Mangers earned 18.40 per hour. Managers worked an average of 19.4 hours per week.
7 days, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., year round BoSSier PariSH Benton Benton Farmers Market 495 Simpson Sun. noon-4 p.m. Bossier City Bossier City Farmers Market 2950 E Texas St. Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., April-Nov. CaDDo PariSH Greenwood Greenwood Farmers Market William Peters Town Park Sat. 8 a.m. - noon, June-Aug. Shreveport Shreveport Farmers Market
Algoma Farmers' Market Feasibility Study and Business Plan Urban Marketing Collaborative 5 Enhancing the Algoma Farmers' Market in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie will require commitment on the part of the Farmers' Market and the City as well as support from other agencies and organizations to ensure success. This report is intended to (a) inform
Farmers' Market Ordinance which includes the rules of operation. The Oak Park Farmers' Market adheres to the following key principles. o Producer Only Market: With the exception of bread vendors, all products sold at the market must be grown or raised by that vendor and must be grown or raised within the five-state region of Illinois,
to farmers selling at farmers markets or other local outlets. This publication illustrates the main characteristics of farmers markets, the benefits of selling directly to consumers, and the main price trends of specialty crops sold at farmers markets. Since January 2017, the Horticulture Business Extension Program at Purdue University has been
Share to Total Suicides During 2014 Total number of Farmers' Suicides Total number of Suicides Percentage Share of Farmers' Suicides to Total Suicides [(Col.1/Col. 2)x100] (1) (2) (3) A total of 5,178 male farmers and 472 female farmers have committed suicides, accounting for 91.6% and 8.4% of total farmers' suicides.
API 6A Flanges Catalogue. API 6A - TYPE - 6B 13.8 MPA (2000 PSI) Size B OD C (MAX.) K P E T Q X BC N H LN HL JL Ring Number R or RX 2 1/16 53.2 165 3 108 82.55 7.9 33.4 25.4 84 127 8 20 81 60.3 53.3 23 2 9/16 65.9 190 3 127 101.60 7.9 36.6 28.6 100 149.2 8 23 88 73.0 63.5 26 3 1/8 81.8 210 3 146 123.83 7.9 39.7 31.8 117 168.3 8 23 91 88.9 78.7 31 4 1/16 108.7 275 3 175 149.23 7.9 46.1 .
