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Eat -- Shop -- Experience -- Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets! | |
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From the May 25, 2009 Issue of Agri-News | |
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“The local food movement is booming in Alberta, and at the heart of it are the Alberta approved farmers’ markets,” says Eileen Kotowich, farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Vermilion. “A recently completed study by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development on alternative agricultural markets in Alberta showed that farmers’ markets generate revenue amounting to $380 million per year, and that 60 per cent of the households in Alberta shop at them.”
As the industry grows, many farmers and small food processors are seeing farmers’ markets as a viable option for marketing their food products. According to the national farmers’ market survey, the top three products sought after by farmers’ market customers are vegetables, fruit and baking.
For producers interested in selling at a farmers’ market, but don’t know where to start, here are some things to consider:
- Check out markets in the local area to see what products are offered and how vendors display their items. Take the time to talk to the vendors to get a feel for how they started in the business and how they view the opportunities and challenges.
- Talk to the market manager. The market manager will be able to provide information on market operations, the application process (if any), and whether there is available space in the market. All Alberta approved farmers’ markets must meet some minimum guidelines established by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development which they incorporate into their own rules and regulations.
- Be strategic! This applies to both the products for sale and where they are being sold. It’s important for a product to be unique and differentiated from other vendors’ products in the market. Being strategic in the farmers’ market of choice can mean that it’s not the closest to home but is the one that offers the best opportunity for maximum sales. In order to make a strategic decision, be aware of all costs of production, have a good idea of what price to charge for a product and make a realistic estimate of expected sales.
- If selling a food product, check with the local public health inspector. Some low risk foods offered for sale at approved farmers’ markets are allowed to be produced in home kitchens. It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure that all the requirements are being following.
- Research what other legislation and regulations need to be followed. For example, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act must be followed regardless of where products are being sold.
- Check out a presentation given recently by the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association. It has more tips and great advice. It is available for download at www.albertamarkets.com/Portals/0/HowBecomeVendorBusLinkMar09.pdf
“If you feel your community could benefit from having an approved farmers’ market, there is an application process,” says Kotowich. “Approved farmers’ markets can be sponsored by community non-profit organizations, be established as their own non-profit society, or be organized as a new generation cooperative set up on a reduced profit basis.”
For more information on the application process, go to: Alberta Agriculture's homepage at www.agriculture.alberta.ca and search for How do I start an Alberta approved farmers’ market.
“The May long-weekend was the kick-off for several markets,” says Kotowich. “If you are looking for a listing of the Alberta approved farmers’ markets, check out Alberta Agriculture’s interactive map at www.sunnygirl.ca. This listing contains information on each market, including contact information. If you want to find additional information on vendors, check out the individual market websites or go to www.albertamarkets.com and click on the Vendor section.”
For more information about becoming a vendor or about starting an approved farmers’ market, contact Kotowich
at 780-853-8223.
Contact:
Eileen Kotowich
780-853-8223
The contents of this page are no longer available.
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Eileen Kotowich.
This document is maintained by Rita Splawinski.
This information published to the web on May 20, 2009.
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