Starting a farmers' market

Running a Farmers' Market has a great many benefits, especially for the local economy.

Why start a farmers market? Here are some of the benefits and some things to consider

BENEFITS of farmers’ markets:
self-help for local & small farmers
add to local food economy
improve/maintain biodiversity
make local foods available
reduce environmental impacts
rural/urban links
town/city centre regeneration
other retailers/food outlets benefit
educational - awareness of farming, seasonality etc
fresher, locally grown foods available
organic/environmental issues
social, improve community spirit
add to tourism
can be self-sustaining
links with many climate change objectives

For more benefits click here

The aims of the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association are to:

• promote Farmers' Markets and assist in the formation of new ones
• support existing Farmers' Markets and enable them to expand and remain self-sustaining.
• define and Certify the Farmers' Market concept and grant Certification only to those markets which conform to the agreed criteria.
• represent the interests of the local food sector to local and national government.
• draw on the support of the range of national agencies which support Farmers' Markets and develop their involvement
• raise the profile of genuine farmers’ markets on all fronts – with consumers, the media, government departments and NGOs

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Assess the potential - is there already a farmers' market in the area
- is there a demand
many markets are started as pilots for one to three events.

Budget - to be sustainable the stall fees need to cover outgoing expenses including insurance and promotion.

Location - is everything in retailing. Research potential sites carefully, think about footfall, parking, access and cash machines.

Work with other farmers markets in the area. For monthly markets there may be an opportunity to create a circuit for shoppers to enable them to shop each week.

Contact FARMA for more information. Consider FARMA membership