Tent Talk
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* 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.
Our Live from the InTents Conference episode has become an annual tradition, and it's one of our favorites every year. Tent Talk producer Leandra Hays sat down with conference attendees and asked them to share the best part of their market day. They made us laugh, and cry and sometimes say, "What the heck?" Drop a note in the comments to share the part of your market day that is your favorite. Big thanks to the wide variety of people who shared their experiences from markets coast to coast (we see you, New Brunswick!)
* Moving a market is not as simple as scooting a tent or two down the street (not that scooting any tents is without drama.) Sometimes you lose part of your site to a construction project, sometimes a conflicting annual event happens and you have to move the entire market for a day. Finding a new site that can accommodate an established event is a puzzle. You know where the driveways and trees and giant dumpsters are at your current location. What surprises will your replacement venue hold? And how will your shoppers and vendors know where to go? * * Listen in as Catt and Brijet discuss the ways they've found to ease the pain as much as possible, while you're away from your home sweet home site, with tips on: * * • Identifying a replacement site * • Surveying neighboring businesses and residents * • Mapping to minimize disruption for your vendors * • What wedding seating plans and market maps have in common * • Timing your announcement to avoid confusion * • Keeping regular shoppers in the loop and attracting new ones * * This episode of Tent Talk is supported by Square, helping farmers, vendors and market managers process payments and invoicing in the tents and at the desk. Don't miss next week's Live from the InTents Conference episode!
* Are you a farmer or small food business trying to navigate finding spaces to sell at farmers markets? Are you a farmers market manager buried in application emails and trying to find the perfect needles in that haystack? In this episode we're chatting about how we process applications for our markets and approaches used by some of our fellow market managers. Yes, you can have an amazing product and still not be a perfect fit for a specific market. Learn how to narrow down your targets if you're a producer. Listen in to find ways to help a diamond in the rough shine if you're a market manager. * * Find tips on: * • Telling managers everything they need to know about your business * • Balancing your market's offerings * • Application red flags * • Helping new vendors launch successfully
* Plenty of us have a love-hate relationship with social media.There's nothing like it right now for keeping shoppers up to date on market offerings days and times, and helping your farm or bakery stand out at a busy market. It's free, sort of. It takes so much time. It's so effective, until they change the rules. It's a trick to find the sweet spot between sharing honest views of your business and your life and maintaining boundaries. Listen in as Catt and Brijet discuss the best ways for market managers and vendors to work together to increase sales, including: * * • Specific tips for markets and farmers and vendors to amplify each other's posts * • The challenges of outsourcing farmers market social media * • Defining "free" and remembering that time is money * • Using social media to make your booth a magnet at a busy market * • Making sure all your eggs aren't in one basket, in case someone trips * * Need more marketing help? Check out our online Market for Markets class https://www.farmersmarketpros.com/marketing-for-markets
* Farmers Julie of Stoner Family Farms has diversified her products to achieve better sales at her farmers markets. Her farm is a family operation, and the market business is her baby. Bringing her daughters into the tent helps lighten the load, and teaches them all the things that small business owners learn along the way. Listen in as Julie shares: * * • How she decides which markets work best for her * • Where farmers markets land on the list of top income streams * • Why she decided to diversify her product lines * • Ways she's helping new market farmers improve their business * * Find Julie's blog with resources for market farmers at www.sffvalpo.com/blog http://www.sffvalpo.com/blog
* The 8th annual InTents Farmers Market Conference is just around the corner, starting 3 weeks from today. Listen in to hear more about this year's schedule and what's coming up here in San Diego and live online. There's still time to register, just use the link in our bio or on the home page at farmersmarketpros.com http://farmersmarketpros.com/ Learn all this and more in this year's sessions: * * • Join hive mind roundtables to discuss how we define "farmers market" * • Determine staff members' roles and avoid labor law issues * • Map your market to minimize drama, tempt consumers and maximize sales * • Create places of belonging beyond the Anti Racist Farmers Market Toolkit * • Attract sponsors to support operating costs at any size market
* We've known Maya Madsen since the beginning of her phenomenal Black woman-owned business' journey. You've heard from her before. We check in often enough to consider her an unofficial Tent Talk podcast co-host. * * From the start she told us she meant to create a vegan cookie empire and she's done what it takes to accomplish that. She not only makes delicious cookies, she collects tons of data. She asks for professional help to analyze trends and inform her next moves. Basically, she treats her happy, gorgeous bakery business like a business. Join us to learn from Maya about: * * • How a fractional CFO and operations consultant changed her business * • Becoming a more profitable business with laminated SOPs * • Where farmers markets fit in a business with brick and mortar stores * • The origin of this year's Black History Month cookie collection * • Ways markets can celebrate and not exploit Black History Month
* How can talented food makers learn to be successful farmers market vendors? In this week's episode of Tent Talk we're chatting about vendor education. Being passionate about your product is important; being fully prepared will increase sales and reduce stress. That makes small businesses enduring. Whether you're starting a new business or you're a market manager thinking about providing support to new and existing vendors, listen in to hear about all this and more. * * • What do prospective vendors need to know? * • Finding local resources to help new and existing vendors * • Customizing Vendor-101 for your own markets' needs * • What it takes to develop your own course offerings * • Should you invest in small business education?
Enjoy this week's Vendor Story episode. Hot sauce is a fast growing category at our farmers markets nowadays, and Chef Saeed is on fire with his fermented sauces featuring unique flavor combinations. It's not just the taste that makes a food business successful though. In our Vendor-101 program we talk about the 4 Ps: Product, Packaging, People and Professionalism. Folks go to a grocery store to grab a familiar product off the shelf. They come to the farmers market to discover new things and get to know the people that feed them. Listen in to hear about Saeed Samad's story and tips for building a successful market business.
* With lots of new farmers markets ramping up for their first or second season, let's take it back to the basics. Experienced manager? Stay with us, sometimes a little refresher can be a great thing. Farmer or vendor? Let's see if you think this is sound advice. There's a lot to know and a lot to do to launch a farmers market and get through those early months. Thinking things through and taking the time to do it right in the first place is a lot easier than fixing mistakes. Locations, budgets, vendor mix and mapping are all key to making a good first impression on vendors and shoppers alike. We’re here to help you think through: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by InTents, the farmers market conference and all of the speakers and attendees that make it happen. Register now and we'll see you March 4th, 5th and 6th, in San Diego or online.
It's a new year, a blank slate. January always feels like a good time to think about what's working, what's not, and create your list of things to change and things to do at your market, and personally. We're all about setting InTENTions (see what we did there?). Market managers and market vendors coast to coast, from Florida to British Columbia, join us today to share about what they'd like to concentrate on in 2024. Listen in to hear what we're reflecting on and looking forward to, and what kind of goals some of the folks in our online community have in mind. We'd love to hear about your 2024 intentions: drop a note in the comments.
* Happy New Year! 2023 was a lot, full of changes, excitement, highs and lows. We're welcoming 2024 and looking forward to focused growth, outreach and some exciting collaborations. Unless the universe throws us onto a whole new roller coaster of course, and then we'll do what farmers market pros do: we'll make the very best of whatever we encounter. You will too. For now, take today to relax and we'll be back with a full episode of Tent Talk next week with 2024 In-Tent-ions (see what we did there?) from market friends coast to coast.
Whether and however you're celebrating Christmas today, we hope you're getting a day off from at least most of your duties and chores. Farmers are still feeding animals and food makers may yet be delivering holiday orders. 2023 has been a lot: happy, sad, busy, full, and all of that has been better because we've done it together. Community is the greatest gift. Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating and our warmest wishes for peace to one and all from all of us at Farmers Market Pros.
How do you go from zero to 60, or maybe 90, in a bit less than three short years? For Christy Campli, some keys were starting with experience in local food systems, and building on an established brand. Now she manages multiple year-round weekly farmers markets, regularly scheduled artisan markets and several annual events with a small but mighty team. Listen in as we talk with Christy about the finer points of managing multiple types of markets and events. __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Food-4-All, pioneering online order systems to connect local farmers, makers and markets with their communities.
Farmers markets are always a good time! The question is when is the best time for your market? Setting market hours is a foundational decision. There are a lot of factors at play. Whether your market lasts for two hours or six can be influenced by everything from farmer commutes to parking disputes. Fortunately, the beauty of markets is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Success means finding what works best for you and your market community. We’re here to help you find the right fit by considering things like... __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by InTents, the farmers market conference. Register today while pro-order rates are still in effect, and join us online or in-person March 4th to March 6th, 2024.
Tis the season for holiday gifting! Farmer, vendor or market manager, it's time to remember your employees, volunteers and maybe some of your great customers or loyal CSA members. If material gifts aren't in your plan this year, we’ve got tips for other ways to acknowledge people who have supported you this year. It really is the thought that counts, and a special thank you can go a long way. Grab your list, and check it twice as we discuss: • Who's on our holiday list and why • Useful gift ideas for your team • Shopping small and local, of course! • Fun ways to show appreciation on a budget Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by the national Farmers Market Coalition.
Social media is a perfect example of a blessing and a curse. Engaging with your online community can strengthen existing connections, while inspiring and educating potential new shoppers. Navigating the comments? That requires a whole different skill set and sometimes a tough skin. There's nothing more fun than conversational volleys with your followers. But as we all know, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows in the comments section. 🌈🫠 Join us as we discuss... • Practical tips on effectively interacting with your audience • Using critical comments as an opportunity to educate • Counting on your followers for support • When deleting comments is justified • Transforming potential PR crises into opportunities for growth * Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Tent Craft.
* Whether or not you have a robust social media presence, your website is your markets' home. Whether you're a market manager, a farmer, or a vendor, use your website to tell people the who, where, what and maybe why of your farmers market business. This is a great time of year to take a look at what's there, what should be, and what might be streamlined. * * Tune in as we talk about: * • Putting the basic info front and center * • Landing pages and links * • Vendors and sponsors and maps, oh my! * • Who updates your website * * Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Grapevine Local Food Marketing.
Survey says: surveys can help you take the pulse of your market! Many of us are winding up our seasons, so why not take some time to listen, gather some data, and look at our markets from a different perspective? Opening a channel for honest feedback can help you improve, understand, and grow your market. No matter what you’re asking, surveys are one more way to communicate with your farmers, vendors, and shoppers. Join us as we chat about: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Market Wurks.
Ever wonder why farmers markets and small farmers don't have a bigger say in public policy? Us too! This week on Tent Talk, we brought in an expert to help shed light on the big issues that small farmers are facing. We learned a lot and it confirmed that the old addage is true: the squeaky wheen gets the cheese! Join us for this week's episode in which we get schooled by the one and only Kathy Zeman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association, volunteer treasurer at Cannon Valley Farmers' Market and owner of Simple Harvest Farm Organics in Nerstrand, Minnesota and winner of the 2021 Gus Schumacher Award. Having spent most of her career in agriculture Kathy leverages the reach of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association to build strong collaborations with diverse groups, paving the way for successful public policy efforts in Minnesota and beyond! This week's episode is made possible by support from Vendor-101.
This week's episode is made possible by support from Sarah Delevan Consulting.
Unpopular opinion: inspections can actually be great! Of course, as market managers, farmers, and self-employed business owners, we definitely like to make our own rules, but it’s important to remember that inspections provide value in maintaining a market’s integrity and keeping things safe. Tune in while we help you navigate the regulations that keep your farmers market playing by the rules. Let's talk about: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Market Wurks.
Say it together, folks: OUR JOB IS WEIRD! Minnesota Farmers Market Association Director of Engagement and Inclusion Sina Pleggenkuhle chats with us about how widely varied experience qualifies us for all kinds of positions in the farmers market world and adjacent. She’s developed skills on skills on skills, soaking up all the knowledge this business and others have to offer. In her free time, she’s cooking up new, delightful ways to contribute to and learn from her community. Let Sina inspire you to take a page from her book and: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by American Farmland Trust. Keep farmers farming.
It’s the beginning of the end…. end of year planning, that is! Heading into the fourth quarter means the holidays are upon us, folks. Get planning for Halloween costume contests, thanksgiving recipes, special holiday markets and events, and if you’re lucky, latke cook-offs. It also means tackling some less exciting clerical stuff and reports. It's a short episode today while we're tackling holiday event applications, so tune in for Pro tips on: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Manage My Market, offering proven solutions to eliminate paperwork and streamline your market management tasks.
We all advocate for farmers keeping the full retail price of their products by selling at farmers markets. So are produce distributors competing with markets for chefs' dollars and sometimes home shoppers? Or are they providing one more valuable income stream for farmers? Chris Cirkus manages the award-winning West Windsor Community Farmers Market in New Jersey. She also sells for Zone 7, a special kind of produce distributor. Listen in as we discuss: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Gusto, making it easy to process payroll and supporting your HR needs.
This week we celebrate 5 WHOLE YEARS OF TENT TALK! 🎉🎉🎉 It has been an absolute delight creating this podcast week after week, and it wouldn’t be possible without you, our listeners! Come party with Catt and Brijet as they reminisce over: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by InTents, the only national farmers market conference, coming back to San Diego, California March 4th-6th, 2024. Find your people, learn new things, discover valuable resources, and tune in to the power of the hive mind. Register now for super early bird pricing at: InTentsConference.com.
* This week on Tent Talk, Cara Mae Wooledge of the Napa Farmers Market invites us into the world of successful fundraising for farmers markets. From sturdy tents to the compostable trash liners, it costs money to make a market go. It can feel uncomfortable asking your community to contribute financially to your market beyond simply shopping there. It helps to remember that it’s not just a money ask, it’s an invitation to be part of what we do, and an opportunity to grow community connection around local food. Follow along as Catt, Brijet, and Cara Mae discuss: __ __ Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Yiftee, creating and managing custom gift cards for your whole market or your entire community. Yiftee's Community Cards link your market's farmers and vendors to a single Gift Card to make it easier than ever to ensure people spend their money at local markets and shops.
Has anyone else been feeling exhausted lately? The weather has been all over the place from triple digits to alleged "hurricanes", and that makes scheduling farmers markets hard. It’s been a long, busy season, and the holidays are right around the corner. We know being a grower, vendor, or market manager is not a job for the faint of heart. The danger of burnout is REAL, Y’ALL! Don’t forget to make time for yourself and take a deep breath once in a while. We’ve gathered some tried and true tips from industry pros on how to conserve energy and set boundaries. Tag along as Catt and Brijet discuss: __ __ Today's episode of Tent Talk, The Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Social Pilot, helping small farmers, food makers, and market managers keep up with social media posting. Regular posts that feed the algorithm help you reach shoppers more effectively, and scheduling in advance means better control of your schedule.
