Tent Talk Farmers Market Pros

Pirate vendors, aargh! No, we’re not talking about buccaneers that sail the seven seas, we’re talking about sellers and solicitors that set up in or around a farmers market as unofficial vendors. Though usually well-intentioned, hawkers, buskers, petitioners, and street vendors can confuse shoppers about where and when the actual farmers market begins, encroach on sales, and could potentially be a liability for farmers market operators. Tune in for some commiseration and brainstorming about what to do and how to handle these unofficial farmers market vendors.
 
This episode was recorded and originally broadcast in January 2023. We thought it was worth an encore for long time listeners and a great way to provide newer followers with this valuable information.
 
This week's episode is made possible by support from Vendor-101.

Opening a new farmers market or starting a new season at an existing one is exciting. A lot goes into getting ready to launch, and building up to a truly grand opening. Building awareness and anticipation for both the community and your family of farmers and vendors means a busy opening day. Planning for the natural cycles of a new market will keep everyone's enthusiasm and commitment strong. New and established alike, there's no part of farmers markets that just happens. You make it happen and keep happening for your team and your neighbors.
 
This episode of Tent Talk was originally recorded and broadcast in May, 2022. We thought it was worth an encore for long time listeners and a great way to provide newer followers with this valuable information, including:  
 
Scheduling an intentional opening date Getting the word out in all the ways Making shoppers feel welcome Understanding the natural ebb and flow of attendance Staging  to maintain the excitement  
This episode of Tent Talk is supported by Marketing for Markets, providing online marketing tools and tips to farmers market managers and participants.

Communicating with your farmers market community can take a lot of forms nowadays. Do you send emailed vendor advisories? Use a private Facebook or Instagram group? Smoke signals or carrier pigeons, maybe? One way or another it's important for farmers, vendors and managers that everyone stays in the loop. In this episode Catt and Brijet and Justine are joined by market directors Gina Johnson from Madison, Illinois, and Rebecah Boynton from Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
This episode of Tent Talk was originally recorded and broadcast in July, 2022. We thought it was worth an encore for long time listeners and a great way to provide newer followers with this valuable information, including:  
 
Subject lines that get your emails opened Why written communication is important Determining the right timing for reminders  Facilitating conversations open to everyone  Using social media platforms and tools  This episode of Tent Talk is supported by Vendor-101, providing online education to prospective market farmers and vendors and helping small businesses succeed.

What do farmers market people bring home from vacation? Our first stop is always is the local market, and farmers market merch is our favorite souvenir. Selling shopping bags, t-shirts, water bottles and magnets can add to your income stream and also provide a valuable marketing tool. Depending on local regulations, farmers and vendors can also use swag to remind people of where they found that amazing tomato or bread.
 
Join us as Catt and Brijet discuss all the tips for how to produce and sell your memorable market merchandise (say that 5 times fast), including:
 
• It all starts with shopping bags
• Determining your real cost of goods
• Creating effective designs and displays
• Budgeting for lost inventory
• Counting and reordering 
 
This episode of Tent Talk is supported by Square, providing simple, efficient ways to track inventory and make on-site sales. 

Your Info or Welcome Booth is your market home away from home. It's often the place that shoppers and farmers and vendors find your team, where you sell fun merchandise, and where you process SNAP EBT transactions. All the things that apply to making farmers' and vendors' booths effective apply here too. 
 
Listen in as Catt and Brijet discuss how to make your Welcome booth, well, welcoming! Discover tips on:
 
• Making your Info booth visible and attractive
• Keeping your booth staffed or letting folks know when you'll return
• Making sure your team provides a welcoming presence
• Handling prospective applicants effectively
• Why local restaurants should be feeding your team
 
This episode of Tent Talk is supported by American Farmland Trust. If you haven't updated your market information in preparation for the next America's Farmers Market Celebration, do that today. And if you want to keep farmers farming, become a member now. 
 

What project could you complete if you had funding? The deadline for submitting Farmers Market Promotion Program grants is just 51 days away. This week, we chat with Melissa Siwiec, executive director of Pennsylvania's historic Lancaster Central Market, about the process of applying for and then implementing an FMPP funded project. The process seems intimidating, and the rules and guidelines are rigorous. USDA is very clear about what's required, so priority number one is following instructions. Melissa's pro tips include:
 
• Deadlines and required formatting are clearly stated and strictly enforced, don't try to skirt the rules
• A plan and a goal come first, chasing funding for its own sake is not sustainable
• Set some time aside, writing a winning proposal takes time and focus
• Partnerships are a required piece of FMPP grants, identify compatible community organizations
• Grant funding is released as reimbursements, you'll need reserves to get your projects started
 
As Ben Feldman pointed out at last month's InTents Conference, plenty of types of activities are funded by Federal grants, none of them any more important or deserving than supporting farmers, farmers markets and food access. 
 
FInd more information and the FMPP grant application form by clicking USDA on the Resource Page at FarmersMarketPros.com
 
Need one on one grant writing help? Contact Melissa Siwiec here. 
 
This episode is supported by Farmers Market University, helping market managers hone and certify their professional skills.