DRAFT 4/23/04

Farmers’ Market Guidelines

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Farmers’ Market Association

Who Are These Guidelines For ?

These Guidelines are for persons wanting to start a farmer’s market or wanting to strengthen an existing market .They are intended to be a helpful resource for marketing produce and value - added products from the New Hampshire agricultural community . Selling your product is up to you. Starting and managing a business or selling your product takes motivation , desire and planning . Farmers’ markets are a viable outlet for selling agriculture products . They become established to meet the needs of producers. This Guide has been assembled to help you find the “ right “ avenue , approach or strategy to sell your product(s) . It is not an all inclusive guide that has all the answers , but it will provide a farmers’ market membership with ideas and resources that can be tapped.

The New Hampshire Farmers’ Market Association implemented the development of these Guidelines .

Information for the Guide comes from a Number of Sources

A number of references to farmers' markets are available . The references given below represent up - to -date ideas and tools for implementing a successful market . The guide captures information from these sources plus that from New Hampshire's operating farmers' markets .

* Corum , Rosenzweig , and Gibson . 2001 . The New Farmers’ Market . New World

Publishing.

* The Great River Market Cooperative . 2000 . Guide For Selling Your Stuff . 2003 .

PO Box 220 , Walpole , NH . Mervbet@sover.net <mailto:Mervbet@sover.net>

* -------------. 2003 . The Ithaca Farmers’ Market . IFM , PO Box 6575 , Ithaca , NY .

Info@ithicamarket.com <mailto:Info@ithicamarket.com>

* Sustainable Agriculture Network . 2003. Transitioning to Organic Production . 31p . Univ. of Vermont , Burlington , Vt.

* Jeff Patten . 1994 . Starting and Strengthening Farmers’ Markets in Pennsylvania . 74 p . Center for Rural Pennsylvania , Harrisburg , Pa.

( Other references will be included / used as appropriate )

The New Hampshire Farmers’ Market Association Mission

The mission of the NHFMA is to educate the general public on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle acquired through locally grown agricultural products. We are dedicated to helping consumers understand the economic, social and ecological benefits of this lifestyle for themselves as well as for local farmers, growers and producers. The association seeks to educate local producers on best management practices and common operating procedures through a variety of means including workshops, seminars and multi-media. The NHFMA will work to provide the educational assistance, support and training that local producers need to provide healthy food in an ecologically sound manner. Through education and member participation, the NHFMA strengthens New Hampshire agriculture, as defined in RSA 21-43a.

The goals of this organization are: to form an association of persons having a common interest in NH agricultural-based products, to preserve New Hampshire’s rural environment, to establish and maintain the integrity of agriculture markets within New Hampshire and its bordering regions, and to promote that common interest via sustainable agriculture.

The objectives of this organization shall be:

1. To educate agriculture producers, consumers, decision-makers and the general public about the availability, scope, diversity and benefits of ‘agriculture markets while educating the recipients of food stamp benefits and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) regarding access to locally grown produce.

2. To identify producers and develop a network of education, support and training for them.

3. To identify, promote and encourage the development of self-sustaining, environmentally conscious agriculture markets. To develop new and expanded markets through education, marketing and promotional diversity to include, but not be limited to: group marketing, educational opportunities, growing and processing facilities, and agri & eco-tourism. We envision an outreach to food service establishments, to include school and work-place cafeterias, as well as commercial restaurants, in order to improve the nutritional quality of their fare through increased usage of New Hampshire based agricultural products.

4. To protect the diversity of agricultural-based products available at agriculture markets. NH agricultural-based products include but are not limited to: agricultural crafts, baked goods, dairy, eggs, fiber goods & crafts, flowers, fresh fruits & berries, herbs, honey, jams & jellies, potted plants, poultry & meat products, processed foods, seeds, syrup, vegetables, and wood crafts & products. In addition, In addition, small livestock and fowl may be sold. Our objective is to have at least 50% of a producer’s products meet this definition. Producers who wish to sell produce, other than their own, that is grown by a commercial, agricultural, business establishment, need to ask for an "approval of the product" by their market management. Such produce should its place of origin is properly identified by signage.

5. To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and for addressing problems, needs and concerns; an increased opportunity for purchasing materials by taking advantage of bulk purchase discounts; and information and technical resources.

6. To advocate producers’ rights to market their produce and to ensure the continued protection of these rights. To provide an information resource to and proactively work with regulatory authorities to create suitable regulations and amend existing regulations related to agriculture markets and the production of agricultural-based products.

7. To contribute to the efforts of related industries and associations in promoting New Hampshire’s rich and diverse agriculture, forest and tourist-based heritage.

8. To promote the health and vigor of agriculture markets in New Hampshire in cooperation with the efforts of educational and governmental entities such as the New Hampshire Departments of Agriculture and Health & Human Services, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, The University of New Hampshire’s Cooperative Extension (UNHCE), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

9. To support other ideas, activities or programs beneficial to NH agriculture.

Table of Contents

( note : info in parenthesize are thoughts to be expanded upon / detailed )

Ch. 1 : Getting Started ( introduction )

Ÿ # What is a farmers’ market ? ( Broad definition and kinds ; agriculture and ag - tourism connection )

( A farmers' market is a group of farmers , food producers and / or plant growers setting up during the yearly growing season , usually weekly and outdoors, as retail vendors at a parking lot, town square or other area . There are indoor markets that may operate year round with other products included such as agriculturally associated vendors producing value added products such as crafters .)

Ÿ # How does a farmers’ market fit into your marketing plan ?

Ÿ # Market locations in New Hampshire ( map and addresses )

Ÿ # Vendor obligation ( general info to next chapters : planned products) quality and quantity , legal considerations , financial commitment and member responsibility )

Ÿ # Market obligation ( general info to next chapters : legal considerations , financial

commitment , organizational responsibility )

Ch. 2 : Starting a Market

Ÿ # Is there a need for a market ? ( FMNA , WIC coupons, etc. )

Ÿ # Finding members ( minimum suggested : ie 6 vendors weekly - 4 produce growers , a baker and a nursery grower is a

good start ) .

Ÿ # Value added products

Ÿ # Organization and management ( bylaws ; at minimum there needs to be an

Administrator / contact person , treasurer, and secretary )

Ÿ # Location

Ÿ # Budget ( advertising , insurance , etc. )

Ÿ # Schedule

Ÿ # Legal considerations ( what are they? -- members / vendors ; an intro to Chapter 3 )

Ch . 3 : Legal Issues ( associated with markets )

Ÿ # Profit versus not - for - profit ( collective of farmers vs. markets / business entity )

Ÿ # Local regulations

Ÿ # State regulations

Ÿ # Federal regulations

Ÿ # Licensing

Ÿ # Labeling

Ÿ # Insurance

Ÿ # Taxes ( types and income )

Ÿ # Sign regulations

( There may be size restrictions and other laws governing temporary or permanent market signs . State roads are governed by state sign laws . Town roads are governed by town zoning sign laws . Private property locations may have their own rules , but have to honor state and town regulations )

Ch. 4 : Safety Issues

1. Signs or canopies need to be secured at all times so they do not blow into people , cars or other facilities

2. If permanent seasonal tables are to be left at the site they need to be safe , sturdy and hazard free of loose nails or wood .

3. Hazard free parking and walking . Do not allow driving through the market selling area except for emergency. Have vendors stay parked until market closes so they are not driving through the customer walking area , if applicable . Try to avoid locating market parking where people have to cross a busy road or street without marked walk way or traffic light

4. Keep walkways clear ! Vendors should not put display or items in or around the walkways. Keep rocks , stones and debris off walkways .

5. Be aware of small children . They may be either a customer or vendor's child. Vendors should bring something to keep their children busy while at the market . Children may come to your location and try to grab an item or look like they may knock a display , talk to them to help them understand that their action may not only hurt them but destroy the display .

6. Dog fights or growling animals can be very scary . Vendors should be aware that customers may bring their pets to the market . There should be a notice / sign at the market requesting that pets be leashed and not allowed to freely wander.

Ch. 5 Producer Preparation

Ÿ # Product quality and quantity ( offered for sale at market )

Ÿ # Business and financial plans ( includes pricing ; NHDA Weekly Market Bulletin has

Some price guidelines )

Ÿ # Legal issues ( licensing )

Ÿ # Insurance ( business / homeowners blanket coverage )

Ÿ # Market membership responsibility ( seasonal / weekly )

Ÿ # Merchandising ( packaging , labeling )

Ÿ # Display / booth arrangement

Ÿ # Meeting the public ( staffing the booth , appearance , etc. )

Ch. 6 Market Management Obligation

Ÿ # Rules and regulations

Ÿ # Membership jury process ( do products meet the objective of the market and

Do they meet quality standards )

Ÿ # Publicity / promotion / signage ( this is the main management costs )

Ÿ # Booth arrangement

Ÿ # Fee structure ( this will differ from market location to market location , but will be a

Major factor in success or failure )

Ÿ # Obtaining town or location clearances ( police department , fire department ,

Selectmen , etc .)

Ÿ # Record keeping

Ÿ # Scheduling ( ,market days / hours , parking and safety rules )

Ÿ # Product regulation ( sanitation , meat and dairy product care , weights and

Measures , etc ) ( NHDA - laws are on line -- in appendices give info )

Ch. 7 Product Certification

Ÿ # Organic Certified permit license ( contact the NHDA - Markets and Foods for more information on USDA standards

now practiced and enforced by them .)

Ÿ # New Hampshire grown / made ( State / city licenses that may be required , jam & jellie license , commercial

kitchen / baking license , nursery license and seed labeling license )

Ch. 8 Nutrition Support

Ÿ # WIC coupons

Ÿ # Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Ÿ # Food stamp redemption

( accepting / not accepting the above ; vendor application )

Appendices

Resources ( list contacts: business , associations , marketing , financing , government agencies )

RSA's

Legal ( list contacts : licensing , trademark , copyrights , insurance , tax info . Include types such as seed labeling , nursery license , organic, etc. )

Marketing ( NHDA rules )

Market Bylaw example

Market Rules and regulations example

Market Operating procedure example

Membership categories ( active vs. non- active )

Market member application example

Guidelines for agricultural product example

Art / craft application example ( flea market items ???? )

( resource for prices : Weekly Market Bulletin

NH Dept. of Agriculture , Markets and Food

PO Box 2042

Concord , NH 03302 - 2042

Tel . 603 - 271 - 2505 / 1324

Fax : 603 - 271 - 1109

Email ; market bulletin@ agr.state.nh.us

Website : www.agriculture.nh.gov