Maine Agricultural Trades Show

Farmers’ Market Forum -January 13^th, 2005

Meeting Minutes

Facilitators: Russell Libby (MOFGA), Deanne Herman (Maine Dept. of Ag.)

Agenda:

11-11:30         Introductions

11:30-12:30    Promotion

12:30              Break

1-3:00             Market Issues/Regulatory Updates/Future Issues

Promotion Ideas for Markets:

            -Blend promotion for market, nutrition, and local economy (advertise in community             papers)

            -Radio Ads (coupon giveaways)

            -Signs (permanent with “open” sign on day of, images of vegetables, signs on trucks)

            -Coupons (food pantries, schools, local events)

            -Word of mouth (increase customers through customers, use email)

            -Website (www.mainefoods.net)

            -Location

            -Brochure, business cards, posters, canvas bags, stickers

Market Issues:

New Vendors:

            -Space issues

            -How to reach balance of vendors and customers

            -Saturday is a good day

            -Needing certain products? Dept. of Ag. can help

            -Attend other markets’ winter meetings? Need a way of telling new farmers how much to             expect to sell/allowing new farmers to test other markets

            -Keep track of customer spending using a simple dot survey

            -Use resources from Tom Roberts’ web site (www.mffm.org) (Note: Although

the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets is currently dormant, Tom keeps this site active on his own.)

Problems/Concerns:

            -Trial period for new vendors?

                        -Pay smaller fee each week during trial period (can quit or use those fees toward                            membership)

            -“Provisional member” status for 1^st year with no voting privileges

            -Member dues; range from $50 to >$100 for annual fee

            -Some markets split fees (membership fee, advertising fee, daily fee)

            -Some markets have smaller membership fees and/or daily fees for late joiners

            -Attendance: keep track on a grid for easier reference

            -Market managers: most are farmers

            -“Friends of Market”/community members on board? Not frequently more on West Coast

Regulatory Updates:

            -Reviewed “Mobile Vendor Guidelines”, “Producing and Selling Dairy Products in Maine”, Growing and Selling Plants in Maine”

            -Regulations are on a common application available through Department of Agriculture

-Website for downloading applications: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/permits.html

            -Market manager is responsible for regulatory compliance if there is a problem

            -“Compliance with regulations” can be a marketing/promotion tool

Future Issues:

-Gather together at least once a year (statewide Farmers’ Market forum)

            -Thursday of Ag Trades Show

-Finding farm workers

-How to entice younger Mainers into farming