| | What is the Alberta approved farmers' market program? | How do I start an Alberta approved farmers' market? | Annual requirements | Sunnygirl logo | Alberta approved farmers' market directory | Coming events | Publications and resources | Research | Scholarships and awards | Farmers' market links
.
What is the Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program?
The Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program is an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) program. The Local/Domestic Market Expansion Branch of ARD administers the program on behalf of the Minister. The program creates an operational framework that facilitates direct market access for community-based entrepreneurs who make, bake, or grow the products they sell. Basic operating guidelines, provincial program-awareness initiatives, and the education of vendors, managers and consumers are the key components of this community-based program.
Over 100 Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets are serving up some of the most nutritious, fresh, Alberta made products available. Along most highways in Alberta you can see the "Sunnygirl" logo announcing the existence of an approved farmers’ market nearby.
Following the "Make It, Bake It, Grow It" philosophy, Alberta Approved Farmers’ Markets provide a direct contact for consumers to producers. Consumers can talk to the person that grew the carrots, raised the chicken, baked the bread, produced the jam, or knit the sweater. Each approved farmers’ market in Alberta is independently operated and therefore reflects the culture of the community.
Farmers’ markets are the #1 ag tourism attraction in Alberta. Farmers' markets provide a great shopping experience where consumers can "savour time rather than save time". They are a chance to shop in a relaxed, fun atmosphere while receiving the highest quality products. With average spending per visit to a farmers' market is $45 and the total estimated market value of farmers' markets equalling $380 million in 2008, the future for farmers' markets in Alberta is very bright.
How Do I Start An Alberta Approved Farmers' Market?
Thinking of starting a farmers' market? The following application, program guidelines and other general information will help you to get started.
Key contacts for Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets are:
Eileen Kotowich, Vermilion 780-853-8223
Delores Serafin, Edmonton 780-427-4611
Annual Requirements
In order to retain their approved status, Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets are required to submit market paperwork to Program staff annually. This paperwork consists of the following:
Sunnygirl Logo
The Sunnygirl is the trademarked visual identity or logo for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Approved Farmers' Markets. This logo helps the consumer identify that the market is approved and they are affiliated with a chain of high quality markets offering Alberta-produced products that consumers can trust. If you are an Alberta Approved Farmers' Market, you can use the Sunnygirl logo in your promotions. Contact Eileen Kotowich to get a copy of the logo to use in your promotions.
Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Directory
Our directory is an interactive map that shows all the markets in the province or select a region to get a closer look at the markets in that area. Click on a pin and you will see information about that market, including location, dates and times.
Coming Events
Farm Direct Marketing Coming Events
Ag Tourism Coming Events
Alberta Farmers' Market Association (AFMA) Coming Events
The Alberta Farmers’ Market Association provides direction and support to member markets, managers, vendors and sponsors through advocacy, education, promotion and innovation to support Alberta producers in achieving optimum profitability through Alberta Approved Farmers’ Markets.
Publications and Resources
Farmers' Market Managers' Resource Manual
The purpose of this manual is to help managers of Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets operate economically successful, community-based farmers' markets across Alberta. It is designed as a reference manual and is divided into sections to allow easy access to information on an as-needed basis.
How to be a Farmers' Market Vendor Information Sheet
The purpose of this information sheet is to provide information to vendors and potential vendors on selling at farmers’ markets. This information sheet is a joint publication of the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.
Market Manager and Vendor Food Safety Checklists
These simple self-evaluation checklists highlight areas of concern in food handling at the market and will help you think about the food safety risks. They will help you identify the things that you are doing right and things that need to be changed and improved. Four different checklists are available: Manager startup checklist; Manager weekly checklist; Vendor startup checklist; Vendor weekly checklist. For further information contact Eileen Kotowich for hard copies of these checklists.
Newsletters.
Learn Agri-food Network Newsletter - Peace region agripreneurs share information to build businesses of ag or rural based experiences, products and services.
Market Express Newsletter - Alberta Farmers' Market Association newsletter full of helpful information related to Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets. Become a member and receive this valuable benefit of membership.
Publications
Marketing Food Safely - Farm Direct Advantage
Developed in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Alberta Farmers' Market Association, the Marketing Food Safely home study manual is a distance delivery education tool for farm direct marketers. The manual is a reference guide, a workbook and a planning tool. It focuses on marketing activities, not production or processing. It is available for purchase through the Alberta Farmers' Market Association.
There are a number of publications available through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. For hard copies of these publications, call 1-800-292-5697. You can also use our on-line order form or download them directly here.
Regulations
Direct Marketing Meats
E-Commerce Marketing
Community Shared Agriculture
Cluster Development
Conferences
Research
Alternative agricultural markets in Alberta study, 2008 (pdf 934 kb)
What is the status of the local food market in Alberta? Where are we at today? This report shows us the demographics, the present market value and the change over the past four years for the farm retail, farmers' markets, and farm activities sector of the ‘eat, shop, experience’ Alberta- based market. In addition we have obtained the percentage of farm retail, and farmers' markets that can be attributed to Alberta-grown or made foods as well as the benefits and barriers to purchasing local as perceived by Albertans. This information will contribute to a foundation and food for thought for the developing programs within the Local Market Expansion Project.
Executive Summary (pdf 204 kb)
For more information on the Local Market Expansion Intiative, click here. |
 |
Alternative agricultural markets in Alberta, 2004
In 2004, the Ag-Entrepreneurship Division undertook a study to quantify the current value, and determine the potential growth of Farmers' Markets, Farm Direct Marketing, Ag Tourism and Regional Cuisine markets in Alberta. The current value of all four of these alternative markets is $964 million annually with Farmers' Markets being valued at $232 million annually. These alternative agriculture markets could nearly double in value by 2010 to $1.7 billion. In addition to determining current consumer expenditure and market potential by 2010, the study discusses market profile, market penetration and consumer awareness. Follow this link for a complete copy of the study, including executive summary.
Alberta Farmers' Market Vendor and Consumer Profile and Economic Impact Study (2002)
2001 Survey of Managers of Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets
Done just prior to the above mentioned study, this survey was conducted with the sponsorship and cooperation of the Alberta Farmers' Market Association. It was undertaken to get a better understanding of how farmers' markets operate from the perspective of the Manager. Information provided could help managers identify potential opportunities for providing services, new crops and/or crop diversification and help determine and demonstrate the benefits associated with Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets. For a complete copy of this research, contact Eileen Kotowich.
Scholarships and Awards
Agri-Preneur Scholarship Guidelines and Application Form 2008/09
The Industry Development Sector of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Renewal Chapter of the Agricultural Policy Framework will sponsor agri-preneurs to attend educational out-of-province, national and international conferences, tours or workshops. The scholarships for the 2008/09 fiscal year are now CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! Watch here for details for 2009/2010.
Farmers' Market Links
Alberta Farmers' Market Association - The Alberta Farmers' Market Association (AFMA) is a provincial organization providing leadership and support to member markets, managers and vendors through education and promotion.
Farmers' Markets Canada
Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association - The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association is a provincial organization whose mission is to develop a profitable and sustainable farm direct marketing industry through promotion, education and collaboration with government and industry partners.
FarmOn.Com - FarmOn.Com is an agricultural social networking community leading the way by offering essential tools that assist young producers and farmers to explore the information, learning and resources that support the sustainability of the family farm. Members can connect and network with fellow producers through personal pages, message boards, blogs and online chats, learning from the innovation, stories and ideas of their peers.
BC Association of Farmers' Markets
Farmers' Markets in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Farmers' Market Cooperative
Farmers' Market Coalition
National Association of Produce Market Managers
USDA Farmers' Markets
Great Sales Tips from Nina Planck - founder of London England farmers' markets
Farm Direct Marketing Links
General Marketing Links
If you are a member of the Alberta Farmers' Market Association, the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association and/or the Dine Alberta program, you will automatically be linked via these groups to a website called Chomp Around Alberta. This site is set up as a one stop launching pad to locally raised food experiences across Alberta. |
|