|
We’ve had a few farmers’ market organisers contact us of late looking for some new ideas for their markets. If you’re after some inspiration, here are our current top ten suggestions from market managers and the FARMA team:
1. Berry Bonanzas: Celebrate gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and cherries. This Saturday 17 July is also National Cherry Day. Offer different varieties to taste, and encourage producers to use the fruit in their products eg. cakes, pies, biscuits, meat stuffings and sausages, juices and preserves. Do something similar for the first apples when they arrive.
2. Involve local businesses – Some markets partner other community projects, but it’s also worth talking to local businesses who want a platform for their products and services. Eg. Tunbridge Wells’ farmers’ markets have Lakeland Plastics coming with their staff to demo the latest smoothie makers and a jam making machine (jame in 30 minutes!).
3. Cookery demos – these don’t have to be expensive – some restaurants and cookery schools will help pay for a demo kitchen in exchange for the chance to profile their business.
4. Keep cashing in on ‘grow your own’ trend. Some markets have 'plant fayres @ the farmers' market' which attracts a wider, but complementary, audience on the look out for locally bred, unusual plants. It’s not to late for vegetable plug plants either – encourage succession planting, and think about offering plugs of winter vegetables (turnips, parsnips, kale etc) How about grow your own veg for Christmas?
5. Promote BBQ as a market. BBQ food is not just about sausages and burgers – think about how you can encourage people to put together an alfresco menu from across the market. Perhaps use a 'Perfect for the BBQ' logo to be displayed by suitable products on every stand, or maybe even run a promotional offer on those products?
6. School holidays are nearly here, so think about how you can better engage children and families at the market. You might want to work with local youth and community groups, provide hands-on kid's activities, organize colouring or recipe competitions, or get live animals in to view. Perhaps provide a craft tent within a café area – frazzled parents will be grateful!
7. Profit from tourism – Summer also means more tourists and visiting relatives. Consider activities linked to the local heritage or other festivals already planned in the town.
8. Harvest Festival – September is a month of abundance as the last of the summer crops overlap with early Autumn fruit and veg. Use established promotions such as British Food Fortnight, or the traditional Harvest Festival, or come up with something of your own.
9. Create a buzz – The plight of the bumble and honey bees have much documented, but news is only just starting to reach a lot of the public. Think about having a Bee week – get a honey producer or someone from the Beekeepers Association to talk or bring in a demo bee hive. Get a webcam installed in a live hive to show at the market. Promote bee friendly plants.
10. Natural cosmetics – Natural ingredients in cosmetics is very much on trend, and good way to attract a younger audience. Consider getting in beauticians or companies to demo products, or show how food can be used to create beauty products (berries, yoghurt and honey make a great face mask).
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Public RSS
