Farmers Market Connection

Farmers Market Connection July 2009 Volume 1, Issue 2 Weighing Your Options Inside this issue: TDA Resources to Grow Your Farmers Market Spotlight on Farmers Markets Market Minute 2 3 Farmers can sell fresh, uncut, unpackaged and unprocessed fruits and vegetables directly to consumers without any required permit, license or registration so long as they are selling by the piece, head or bunch. However, producers selling products by weight, however, must use an inspected and permitted legal for trade scale. Scales can range in price from $300 to $800, depending on the make and model, and generally have to be ordered by a local supplier. Most suppliers recommend allowing three to five days time for delivery. Farmers can locate nearby suppliers in the local yellow pages or by searching on-line. It is important that farmers buying legal for trade scales make sure the scale conforms to the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) standards. Compliant scales will typically be marked with the NTEP logo or the associated accuracy class which is normally “III” with produce scales. The Weights and Measures Section (WM) is located within the Regulatory Services Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and is responsible for inspecting retail scales and issuing those permits in Tennessee. The scales permit cost is $5.00 per scale and must be renewed annually. While it is the responsibility of the producer to make sure the scale is permitted, farmers selling at local farmers markets should ask the market manager if they have arranged an annual inspection date, as oftentimes they will help facilitate this process for the market vendors. It is equally important to remember that all commodities sold by weight must be sold by net weight. Net weight is the weight of only the commodity and does not include the weight of the carton, box, container or wrapper. Information regarding the inspection and permitting process of a produce scale permit in Tennessee can be found on the Center for Profitable Agriculture Web site at http://cpa.utk.edu/ pdffiles/cpa166.pdf. To obtain a scale permit, contact WM at (615) 837-5109. 4 UT Center for Profitable Agriculture 1000 Main Entrance Drive P.O. Box 1819 Spring Hill, TN 37174 Phone: Fax: E-mail: Web site: (931) 486-2777 (931) 486-0141 cpa@utk.edu http://cpa.utk.edu Megan Bruch — Marketing Specialist Fruit and Vegetable Retail Guidelines Many farmers, market vendors and even market managers might not know that there are regulations and guidelines stipulating how fresh fruits and vegetables can be sold in a retail situation like the farmers market. In fact, did you know that it is acceptable to sell peppers by weight, count, or by dry measure, but okra, on the other hand, may only be sold by weight? Amy Ladd — GROW-10 Coordinator These regulations, known as allowable units of retail sale, were established and adopted to promote uniformity of commerce across not only the State of Tennessee, but the entire United States. See Guidelines, page 2 Page 2 Farmers Market Connection Guidelines Continued from page 1 Regulations governing allowable methods of sale are enforced by the Weights and Measures Section (WM) which is located within the Regulatory Services Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. While farmers are not currently required to have a permit, license or registration when selling fruits and vegetables directly to consumers, they are expected to abide by these standards. Regulatory information for allowable units of retail sale, including an outline that lists examples of specific and general commodity groups, can be found on the Center for Profitable Agriculture Web site at http:// cpa.utk.edu/pdffiles/cpa167.pdf. Information on all food product regulations can be found by contacting the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at (615) 837-5193. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Resources to Grow Your Market Several resources are available for farmers markets from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Marketing Specialist Laura Fortune leads the departments’ farmers markets efforts including listing markets on the Pick Tennessee Products Web site, approved use of the Pick Tennessee Products logo, potential funding opportunities and networking events. Tennessee farmers markets may receive a free listing on the Pick Tennessee Products Web site. The listing includes market name, location, contact person, contact information, operation dates and times, products available, etc. See current listings at http://picktnproducts.org/food/farmermkt.html. For markets already included on the site, it is important to update the information by e-mailing changes to Laura at Laura.Fortune@tn.gov. To obtain a new listing, market leaders can also e-mail Laura or complete and return an application as directed on-line at http://picktnproducts.org/ producer/join.html. Approved markets may also use the Pick Tennessee Products logo on signage and other marketing materials. To learn more or apply for the logo program, visit http://picktnproducts.org/producer/ join.html. Funding opportunities for farmers markets have been made available in the past through the Department of Agriculture. With the state budget for the next fiscal year still in limbo, it is unknown at this time whether or not funding will be available this year. Laura maintains a list of contact information for people interested in receiving up-to-date information on available resources, including funding programs. Those who would like to be included in her communications should e-mail her with their request and contact information. The next Farmers Market Forum will be held January 28, 2010 as part of the Tennessee Horticultural Expo in Nashville. The expo, which will run from January 28-30, includes educational sessions, a trade show, association meetings and networking opportunities. Laura Fortune — TDA Agricultural Marketing Specialist Contact Laura Fortune for more information on any of these resources at Laura.Fortune@tn.gov or (615) 837-5349. Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3 Spotlight on Farmers Markets: Farmers’ Fresh Market Located in the heart of Columbia, Tennessee, the Farmers’ Fresh Market (FFM) focuses on serving the community. “The FFM doesn’t just benefit area growers,” says Kristi Martin, Executive Director of Columbia’s Main Street program and current market manager. “It also provides our local consumers a place to shop for amazingly fresh, locally grown products.” The FFM is more about the farmer and consumer developing a personal relationship than it is about price. “Everybody wins when the focus is on the value of the relationship and overall experience instead of where can I buy the cheapest product, and that’s really what the FFM is all about,” says Martin. What began as a few local farmers selling produce from the back of their trucks at the courthouse square has now become a highly organized, mutually beneficial program that is starting its 17th year of operation. Martin stresses the “importance of having written policies,” and says, “the serious vendors that are looking to improve their businesses by building those relationships in the community are the ones that truly value a structured program.” Farmers Fresh Market Columbia, Tennessee www.columbiamainstreet.com/ farmers-fresh-market.html As part of the FFM program, all vendors are required to complete a registration form which must be approved prior to participation and pay an annual fee to reserve a booth space. Spaces are assigned before the season starts. Preference is given first to those which have been members the longest, second by Maury County residents and finally on a first-come first-served basis. There are three sizes and price points of spaces available including 8’ X 22’, 8’ X 8’ and 8’ X 4’ areas which cost $125.00, $75.00 and $50.00 respectively. The different size spaces accommodate the different needs of each vendor since some will want to sell from the back of their truck and others only need a small table with a tent. Other vendor requirements include displaying their current market permit, badge and the appropriate inspection report if applicable. Martin says “enforcing the policies has made the market very productive.” The FFM is a seasonal operation open from June through October. The market opens to the public from 7:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Riverwalk Park location and on Saturday moves to the courthouse square in downtown Columbia. At peak season, the market averages about 18 vendors and draws around 150 customers. Typical products at the FFM include the standard fare of fruits and vegetables, but product selection has “grown this year,” according to Martin. They have added vendors selling freshly cut flowers, homemade soaps and baked goods, eggs, honey and naturally raised certified Angus beef. “Having such a great variety is very exciting,” says Martin. “The market is really providing a great value to our local community.” The FFM has really grown over the years. According to Martin, “the market has more vendors now than ever before, which has really expanded the selection of products and attracted new customers.” She also attributes the market’s recent success to their enhanced marketing campaign. When it comes to marketing plans, the FFM executes several promotional strategies, which includes direct mailing post cards to friends of the Columbia Main Street program, distributing posters for display at local businesses, running a weekly ad in the local paper, utilizing public service announcements with local radio and selling recyclable tote bags with the FFM logo at the market. They also participated in the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program and used those funds to pay for two area billboards advertising the FFM. Luckily, all this success has not gone to their heads. True to their roots, the market has already started working on more ways to build those long-term relationships in the community. They are now in the process of trying to secure a permanent location and pavilion at Riverwalk Park. Farmers Market Connection Page 4 Market Minute Farmers market success can be greatly enhanced with a clearly written and fairly enforced set of operating policies or guidelines. In an inquiry of 55 farmers markets during the summer of 2006, 46 markets (84 percent) indicated they had written policies, bylaws and/or procedures. Only nine markets (16 percent) had none. Here are some quotes from farmers market managers and vendors about the importance of developing and enforcing operating guidelines: “We have a good set of understandable rules and policy—not too wordy and not too polished, just straightforward and to the point. “This market works and is a success but not without constant issues and decisions.” “We really do not have any authority or person that sets policy or enforces it. We need some rules, and they need to be enforced.” To learn more about developing written policies or guidelines, refer to A Guide for Considering and Developing a Farmers Market in Tennessee. Chapter four is devoted to this topic. In addition, the appendix includes sample bylaws and market rules. The publication can be found on-line at http://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/ pbfiles/PB1770.pdf. Upcoming Events We’re on the Web! http://cpa.utk.edu Domestic Kitchen Certification Course July 23, 2009 Tennessee Food Safety Certification Course UT-TSU/Montgomery County Extension Office Clarksville, TN Pre-Registration Required, Contact: Nancy Austin at (865) 974-7717 or naustin@utk.edu Focus on Farmers Markets Educational Bus Tour July 29, 2009 Featured stops include the Nashville Farmers Market and East Nashville Farmers Market Humphreys County Extension Office, 108 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 37185 Register by July 17, Contact: Amy Ladd at (931) 486-2777 or aladd4@tennessee.edu TDA Agritourism Workshops August 12, 13 and 14, 2009 Topics include on-line marketing and social media. Jackson, Nashville, and White Pine, TN - Call To Register at (615) 8375321 For more information contact: Pamela Bartholomew at (615) 837-5348 Better Process Control School for Acidified Foods August 18-19, 2009 Food safety course for companies (or individuals) which manufacture acidified foods. Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Suite B, Box 21,Memphis, TN 38120 Pre-Registration Required, Contact: Nancy Austin at (865) 974-7717 or naustin@utk.edu Focus on Community Supported Agriculture Bus Tour September 8, 2009 Featured stops include Delvin Farms and Rocky Glade Farm Memorial Park Community Building, Hohenwald, TN Register by August 28, Contact: Amy Ladd at (931) 486-2777 or aladd4@tennessee.edu Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.