Once again, going back to the flea market world, I noticed this software offer for flea market organizers. I wonder if the flea market world has some ideas about rent and mapping systems we in the farmers market field need to study?
website
I just had the great fortune to tour Shelburne Farms last week with NOFA organizer Jean Hamilton, who was able to entice Program Director Megan Camp out of her office for a few minutes to show off her amazing educational/working farm. Megan seems to be one of those inspirational leaders who make it look so easy. She and NOFA Executive Director Enid Wonnacott share that attitude; because of women like this creating a food system for people’s health and community (rather than massive corporate profit) seems doable.
Now I read Shelburne Farms has another project going; sharing the sheep (not shearing) with the University of Vermont campus. As long as the sheep don’t have to costume in period sheep’s clothing to participate in the re-enactments during the historical tours….
VT sheep
The Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans has had a disaster this week; their iconic dairy farmers, Warren And Sandra Smith of Smith Creamery in Mount Hermann, LA had a huge explosion on the farm. Luckily, no one was hurt including the cows) but the damage to the processing plant is massive and will take months to repair.
Besides being the conduit for information for the community, the market staff is collecting donations and getting signatures on a card for the Smiths. The table is manned by community advisory and board members of the market, and if someone gets there early enough, they can also have a free I (heart) Creole Cream Cheese t-shirt (which was being phased out of the market merchandise and so has come in handy!).
The important thing is the channels of communication are kept open by the market and any media or support requests can be channeled through or facilitated by the skilled staff on behalf of the farmers. Therefore, the time the Smiths spend answering the phone, explaining their plan and deciding how and when to accept donations is reduced and instead they can spend their time rebuilding.
Once again, a market, its shoppers and farmers share a social contract that is not written down but it understood and expanded when needed.
I Heart Smith Creamery
The Greatest Show on Dirt
THE LITTLE FARM SHOW is an original musical theatre performance for all-ages created and performed by Tannis Kowalchuk and Brett Keyser. The actors play “the Amazing MacDonald Twins,” a brother and sister team of side show performers who tour “the greatest show on dirt!” from town to town. Full story
Chicago- After the meeting, the mayor sat down for an exclusive interview with ABC 7 political reporter Charles Thomas. The mayor said his meeting with the chief executive officers of six of the nation’s largest food/grocery chains was historic.
“Never anywhere in the country. First-ever conference with a mayor, first-ever discussion about the food desert. First-ever discussion with anybody about how to make this work,” said Emanuel.”
First ever?
with anyone?
are you sure Mayor?
and why no mom and pop stores at that historic table?
or farmers?
These incentives- is this the new word for short-term subsidies aka tax breaks?
An excellent report to view return on investment (ROI as it is known in the philanthropy and corporate world) for USDA and to see where the support has gone.
With this (2006) study, we seek to better understand how key USDA grant and research programs are serving beginning and small and mid-size farms and ranches, and what steps might be taken to improve these programs or develop new solutions to enhance farm profitability and rural community success.
The Impact and Benefits of USDA Research and Grant Programs to Enhance
Mid-Size Farm Profitability and Rural Community Success Download Report
Published on Center for Rural Affairs (http://www.cfra.org)
I find that commercial fishing families have almost no support or organizations that speak for their needs. Point seems proven once again in Nova Scotia:
Story
Water. Too much here, not enough there.
I feel for these residents. I know the feeling of leaving rising water behind.
What I know is much of the water is seeping into the poorest areas and the least politically connected counties and states. Back of town, the wrong side of the tracks or under the hill, these nicknames usually mean disaster sooner or later.
No injuries, but significant damage to the anchor (and beloved) dairy farmers at the New Orleans markets.I guarantee that the Crescent City Farmers Market staff will work overtime to find ways to communicate ongoing issues and needs on behalf of the farmers to the larger community. No doubt they will remember this tough break and continue to look for ways to support all of their vendors in trying times.
Good example of why markets matter to vendors.
dairy explosion
Flea markets are fascinating to people watch at and someday we’ll figure out how they and open-air farmers markets are related.Like any public market geek, I follow the flea market news regularly and years ago, set up at a venerable old one in Ohio (Hartville for those of you in Buckeye Land). Wow, was that fascinating…. The pre-dawn culture was even more traditional than any farmers market I have watched. Of course, that market had been running for over 60 years…
It is also my honor to count among my friends, Cree McCree author of “Flea Market America” and a regular art and flea market maven here in New Orleans. (I call her Cree McCree, Godmother of Flea).
Cree McCree's book. available for purchase everywhere
Here’s an example of one that works to engineer a total experience:
Uvalde Market Days will be open for shoppers on June 25th, 2011
It is one of the most unique open air markets in southwest Texas
June 15, 2011- Hundreds of dealers showcase their merchandize in tree shaded park. The visitors can enjoy shopping at Uvalde Market Days in the afternoons.
Visitors can enjoy music while they shop. The dealers at the market will be displaying huge variety of arts and crafts, plants, jewelry, wearable, collectibles, home décor, antiques, carpets, kitchen accessories, clothes, hats for men, women & children and lot more.
Uvalde Market Days is open for public on every fourth Saturday of the month.
It is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
It is located at:
Uvalde Plaza
Main Street And North Getty
Uvalde, Texas
Parking and admission is absolutely free.
I am amazed at how many markets have never done a price comparison or used this idea and bought fast food and then compared it to the cost of a farmers market meal.
Try it, it’s a great way to bridge your market to new people. Or just use this link on your site:
Remember these kids when your vendors complain about market rent…
I wrote a greenpaper that is available on marketumbrella.org’s website about the lack for balance in mobile markets. I should have taken more issue with the name and the sustainability of them as some are not that mobile and some, many are not truly markets if you term that in the same vein as farmers markets (meaning competition) or if you believe Wikipedia:
For a market to be competitive, there must be more than a single buyer or seller. It has been suggested that two people may trade, but it takes at least three persons to have a market, so that there is competition on at least one of its two sides.[1] However, competitive markets rely on much larger numbers of both buyers and sellers. A market with single seller and multiple buyers is a monopoly. A market with a single buyer and multiple sellers is a monopsony. These are the extremes of imperfect competition.
It’s possible that a mobile truck could serve well as a long-term grocery store in some remote areas where resources especially capital and electricity are limited. Check out the briefs from The Center for Rural Affairs on rural grocery stores:
cfra
What I find though, is that mobile markets are another example of the industrial food system expecting to change little while getting the credit that they are feeding needy people. Sure they are getting food out there, but the mobility is overstated in some cases and as far as I know have not been shown to make long-term changes in food insecurity or to necessarily support growers or small businesses (Even with this headline generously given to it by HuffPost: Next Level Food Trucks: MoGro Eliminates Food Deserts). What is true to me is that they could serve a very important purpose, just like a buying club can or a food security farmers market does (that term comes from an emerging typology of markets, more coming soon on that…) by priming the pump for food system changes, if they would work hand in hand with farmers and potential market or store organizers.
This story is fascinating; check out where the guy worked before retiring and starting this project:
MoGro
Helping Farmers Markets Grow 