1 Answer

• Reputation: 16 Q&A: 0 0 0 16 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Farmers Markets & Eating Local Follow Following 0 Kira

  1 0 Starting a farmers market and maintaining the level of success necessary to keep both farmers and shoppers coming can be very difficult. This has become especially true lately as we've seen the negative effects of farmers market saturation (i.e. too many markets on the same day or within close proximity to one another, so none are doing as well as they need to be). As a city, we may need to wait until our core group of committed farmers market shoppers grows before we can ask our local farmers to spread out any thinner. In any case, there are a couple of great resources that can help you figure out everything you need to start a market. Check out the Washington State Farmers Market Manual available on the WA State Farmers Market Association website (www.wafarmersmarkets.com) under "Resource Center". Also, the National Farmers Market Coalition as a ton of great resources about everything from canopy safety to product integrity to how to accept food stamps at markets (www.farmersmarketcoalition.org). Kira answered in Farmers Markets & Eating Local about 1 year ago | Report 2 comments by Ginger Twinkle and Kira … 0 0 I really hate this excuse because, while it may true, it's also a very narrow view of things. Another reality of Seattle markets is that the majority of the them are in the northern part of the city - and the fremont, ud, wallingford, ballard & phinney markets are all pretty close to each other (not to mention the QA one). All of these markets are happening while people in southern neighborhoods have only the columbia city, west seattle and very new georgetown markets. Wouldn't it be better to close a market like wallingford (they'd still have 3+ other markets close by) so that a neighborhood that really might need easier access to organic produce, like beacon hill, could have one? It's just another example of systemic priority given to the already privileged. Ginger Twinkle commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 Your point is a very good one and brings up some very real and concerning questions about food access equality. It's sort of a catch 22, as farmers are generally most attracted to markets in neighborhoods where people are willing and able to spend a lot of money. The U District and Ballard Farmers Markets have such large crowds, that spill over into newer North end markets was a reasonable expectation and maybe even a neccessity. In order to convince farmers that it would be worthwhile to come to another South end market, the Columbia City, West Seattle and/or Georgetown markets might have to have customers counts and sales comparable to those in the U District and Ballard. On another note, closing a market can be a very difficult and complicated thing to do that leaves a lot of people unhappy; the NFMA has not yet had to do it and would prefer to avoid it if possible. Kira commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

  Share this answer with a friend: