COVID-19 Emergency Response Resources
- Farmers Market COVID-19 Response Grants
- COVID-19 Best Practices Checklist for Farmers Markets
- Response Guide for Vendor or Staff with COVID-19
- Update your Local Food Guide listing to let customers know about any changes to your market’s opening date, hours, location, etc.
Tools for Farmers Market Managers
The resources linked below offer guidance for farmers markets at all stages. Topics include site selection and vendor recruitment, market management, safety and regulations, marketing, and best practices for sales. If you can’t find the resources you need here, please contact us for additional support and consultation.
Starting a Farmers Market
Starting a farmers market can help create community around local food, provide sales opportunities for local farms, and draw customers to underused areas. Although all markets are different, they should all begin with a thorough location analysis and the drafting of clear rules for vendors. ASAP’s resources can help you take the first steps toward starting your own market.
- Ten Tips for Starting a Farmers Market (PDF)
- Farmers Market Site Assessment Guide (PDF)
- Farmers Market Site Assessment Rating Sheet (PDF)
- Sample Market Vendor Application (PDF)
- Content Checklist for Market Rules (Farmers Market Promotion Program and ASAP PDF)
- Sample Market Rules (PDF)
Farmers Market Management
Every farmers market faces its challenges, whether they come in attracting customers, streamlining operations, or reducing risk. Good farmers market management can address these issues to create a thriving local food hub for vendors and customers alike. The following resources will help you identify areas for improvement and develop creative solutions based on existing best practices.
- Farmers Market Management Tips (Powerpoint)
- Fundraising Resources for Your Market (Washington State Farmers Market Management Toolkit PDF)
- Market Makeover: 25 Best Practices for Farmers Markets (PDF)
- Working with Your Board of Directors (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont)
- Sample Market Needs Assessment (PDF)
Market Safety and Regulations
As a farmers market manager, you are responsible for maintaining the safety of your market and the food products sold there. From canopy setup to food handling guidelines, there’s a lot to keep in mind when considering market safety and regulations. The following resources will help you think through the risks and regulate your vendors based on existing best practices.
- North Carolina Department of Agriculture Market Guidelines (NC Department of Agriculture PDF)
- Canopy Safety 101 (Washington State Farmers Market Association PDF)
- Sample Product Guidelines (Ashe County Farmers Market PDF)
- Managing Risks and Liability (Small Farm Center and Risk Management Association PDF)
- Sample Food Handling Guidelines (Market Umbrella PDF)
Marketing Your Farmers Market
Marketing your farmers market is key for growing your customer base and attracting quality vendors. Through vibrant promotions, special events, and customer feedback, you can maintain excitement around your market throughout the growing season. The following resources provide new ideas and best practices for marketing your farmers market.
- Marketing the Market (Kansas Rural Center Sustainable Agriculture Management Guides PDF)
- Market Special Event Ideas (PDF)
- Sample Customer Survey (West Asheville Tailgate Market PDF)
- Marketing Lecture by Mike McCreary, Asheville City Market manager (ASAP webinar, 2013)
- Pick-a-PAK Program
- Guide for providing tours of your farmers market (ASAP Farmers Market Tour Guide)
Sales and SNAP/EBT
How can your market drive more sales—from all types of customers? As a market manager, you can use these resources to help your vendors thrive. You’ll also learn how to reach low-income shoppers through the SNAP/EBT program (formerly known as food stamps).
- Farmers Market Best Practices (PDF)
- Maximizing Your Sales (Famers Market Federation of New York PDF)
- Thoughts on Selling at Farmers Markets (New Farm PDF)
- Lecture on Increasing Sales at Farmers Markets by Mike McCreary, Asheville City Market manager (ASAP webinar, 2013)
- Sharing the Harvest: A Guide to Bridging the Divide Between Farmers Markets and Low-Income Shoppers (PDF)
- Lecture on Accepting SNAP/EBT by Mike McCreary, Asheville City Market manager (ASAP webinar, 2013)
Farmers Market Case Studies
- Historic Lewes Farmers Market (Historic Lewes Farmers Market of Lewes Delaware PDF)
- RAFI’s SNAP/EBT Guide and Market Case Studies (RAFI PDF)
Find additional workshop presentations (including resources from the annual Business of Farming Conference) and farmers market resources on ASAP’s slideshare page.
