The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets

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Massachusetts Grown
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 market management

The Market Management Program continues to be our single most highly intensive program. The Federation served 43 member markets in 2003. Out of those 43 markets, 7 were fully managed by our association. Member and managed markets are listed within the Farmers' Market Programs Summary of the annual report.

Year-Round Market Management Activities

Detailed discussions relative to each managed market take place on a "per market basis" at individual market fall meetings and are published as meeting minutes and specific market rules. The following outline highlights points of particular interest on the overall association level:

  • Market start-up activities within each community (i.e. meetings, permit applications, contracts, Board hearings, etc.)
  • Farmer/vendor application review and market placement
  • Collection of market fees
  • Recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating of on-site market managers
  • Administration of the market budgets
  • Promotional activities
  • Problem-solving
  • Facilitation of market meetings
Application to FMFM Managed Farmers' Markets

Farm vendors are required to become farm members of the FMFM in order to apply for participation at market. They do this by submitting a $75.00 application fee. Farm vendors are subject to the same market space fees and specific market rules as supplemental members. They are required to submit an application including a list of products, a graphical representation of all properties used for the production of goods to be offered at farmers' markets, a certificate of liability insurance, and appropriate health permits. The application process started in February and will be ongoing until vendor placement is secured.

Application Timeline for 2004
Date Event
2/19/04 "New" and "Returning Farmer" applications mailed to 2003 members and farmer inquiries/recruits from fall and winter staff outreach efforts
3/22/04 "Returning Farmer" applications due
3/29/04 Response letters sent to "Returning Farmers"
4/09/04 Deposits due from "Returning Farmers"
4/09/04 "New Farmer" applications due
4/20/04 Response letters sent to all remaining farmers
****** Ten days before market opens - Deposits due from all remaining Farmers
Supplemental Vendors

Supplemental vendors allow for a greater span of product at markets. Supplemental vendors are chosen that compliment the characteristics, customers, and vendors at market.

A supplemental vendor is an applicant to our farmers' markets who is not a farmer, i.e. commercial bread bakers, bakeries, artisans, et. al. Supplemental vendors are required to become associate members of the FMFM in order to apply for participation by submitting a $75.00 application fee. Supplemental vendors are subject to the same market space fees and specific market rules as farm members. They are required to submit an application including a certificate of liability insurance, appropriate health permits, complete product lists, and a thorough letter of intent.

The Supplemental vendor application deadline is set after farmer application deadlines have passed so that the staff can clearly see what product lines our member farmers can satisfy and where potential product voids or niches may appear.

Supplemental Vendor Associate Members (2003)
Member Location
Thoreau Foods Boston City Hall, Cambridge
Hi-Rise Bread Company Boston City Hall, Copley Square, Somerville
Big Dipper Bakery Boston City Hall, Cambridge
Ms. Cellaneous Boston City Hall
Iggy's Bread Ltd. Boston City Hall, Copley Square
Breadsong Bakery Cambridge, Copley Square, Somerville
The Plum Island Soap Co. Copley Square
Ola Organics Cambridge
Market Fees

An invoicing system is in place to collect market space fees from members. Bills will be sent to members three weeks prior to due dates. Due dates are listed in Managed Market Policy.

Members with outstanding balances are not considered in good standing and will not be sent market applications until payment is received at the office.

Market Management Team

Our Market Manager team was strong this season. We interviewed our candidates carefully and succeeded in hiring and training six new people this year. Managers were trained on an individual basis on-site and also attended market manager and staff meetings throughout the season.

On-site Market Manager Program Accomplishments

By continued use of the Market Manager canopies to several markets the market manager is clearly visible and therefore available to consumers and farmers. As a result of these canopies and an on-site market manager:

  • More extensive customer mailing lists in many communities have been developed
  • Many brochures distributed promoting Massachusetts agriculture, nutritional programs, specific farms & roadside stands
  • Market managers acted as informational centers to assist customers to answer questions like "Why can't the farmers sell early?", "How do I use these coupons?", etc.

Market Managers and the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets have achieved more visibility to customers & visitors to market (like media, facilitators, community officials, etc.)

Final reports were filed by each on-site manager which include manager evaluations, farmer evaluations, season attendance reports, customer data, product data, photographs and collections of media print, and suggestions for next year's managers and staff.