Happy Vendors, Happy Managers

HAPPY VENDORS, HAPPY MANAGERS

Vendor Relations and Boundaries for Market Managers

Zack Cook and David Dickinson from Pike Place Market share their best ideas on how to work with vendors and build successful working relationships.

Effective Communications in the Cultural Marketplace

Based on the WSFMA conference presentations from WSU’s José L. García-Pabón, this piece discusses the cultural concepts and strategies for communicating cross-culturally, especially with immigrant farmers.

Recruiting Farmers to Your Market

Finding the right vendor mix is an ongoing challenge for all markets. Whether you have a waiting list or are seeking more vendors, this overview shares strategies and resources on how to find farmers in Hawaii.

Market Integrity and Farm Verification

There is strong support among farmers and markets to work together to build the integrity of farmers markets. This overview reviews the range of issues, recommended market practices, and tips on conducting farm visits.

VENDOR RELATIONS & BOUNDARIES FOR MARKET MANAGERS

Zack Cook and David Dickinson from Pike Place Market share their best ideas on how to work with vendors and build successful working relationships.

Vendor Relations and Boundaries for Market Managers

(Feb. 2016)

Pike Place Market Community Complaint Form
Vendor Concern Form from Portland FM (2016)
Tomato Wars – Conflict Management for FMs

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS IN THE CULTURAL MARKETPLACE

Based on the WSFMA conference presentations led by WSU’s José García-Pabón and his colleagues, this piece discusses the cultural concepts and strategies for communicating cross-culturally, especially with immigrant farmers.

Effective Communication in Cultural Marketplace (Sept. 2016)

RECRUITING FARMERS TO YOUR MARKET

While some farmers markets have long waiting lists, other markets have to work to find the right farm vendor mix for their market. This piece shares strategies and resources on how to find farmers in our state.

Recruiting Farmers to Your Market (Sept 2016)

Resources

HFMA Recruiting Farmers to your market
HFMA Retaining Farmers at your market
The Fine Art of Adding Craftspeople by David Dickinson (2016)
San Juan Island FM “Incubation Program for New Vendors”
Tip Sheet for Recruiting Producers – Farmers Market Coalition
“Markets as Business Incubators: Strategies to Grow Your Vendor Base” webinar from the Farmers Market Coalition
“Recruiting Members for a Farmers Market” – Wallace Center
Selecting Farmers Markets checklist for vendors from Michigan Farm and Food Systems

FARMERS MARKET INTEGRITY & FARM VERIFICATION

Regardless of the nuances of your market policies, shoppers come to farmers markets expecting to buy farm products directly from the farm that grew, raised, or processed them. Likewise, farmers expect there to be a “fair playing field” among vendors. And market managers expect vendors to clearly and completely represent their farm and products sold at market. These expectations play a major role in how much shoppers, vendors, and managers “trust” the market. The direct and authentic connection between farmers and shoppers is one of farmers markets’ core distinguishing features.

Market Integrity and Farm Verification (April 2016)

Resources

Inspection Criteria
Load Sheet – Santa Monica Certified Farmers Market
Organic Labeling at Farmers Markets from USDA (2015)
Vendor Concern Form from Portland FM (2016)