COVID-19 Emergency Response Resources
- Review the COVID-19 Best Practices Checklist for Farmers Markets.
- Review the 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.
Resources for Markets
The resources linked below offer guidance for farmers markets (also called tailgate 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.
Starting a Farmers Market
Farmers markets can help create community around local food, provide sales opportunities for local farms, and draw customers to underused areas. Your first steps in starting a market are finding a location, recruiting vendors, and drafting clear rules.
- 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)
Market Management
Markets face many challenges, from attracting customers to streamlining operations to reducing risk. Good market management will address these issues to create a thriving local food hub.
- 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 market manager, you are responsible for the safety of your market and the food products sold there. From canopy setup to food handling guidelines, there is a lot to keep in mind. The following resources will help you identify risks and develop regulations based on 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
Marketing is key for growing your customer base and attracting quality vendors. Through promotions, special events, and customer feedback, you can generate excitement for your market throughout the season.
- 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? Use these resources to help your vendors thrive. Get information on how to reach low-income shoppers through SNAP/EBT.
- 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)
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 posted from ASAP’s annual Business of Farming Conference.
