Farmers’ markets are one of the most exciting trends in North-America’s food system. Read any farm publication examining new marketing opportunities for farmers, and farmers’ markets will be addressed. Talk with any public official interested in providing fresh nutritious food to inner city residents, and farmers’ markets will be mentioned. Farmers’ markets are important because they give local farmers the chance to sell food they raise directly to customers; they allow consumers to buy fresh food from the farmers who raise it; they help create new farms and food businesses; they provide communities ways to create excitement and activity in downtowns and neighborhoods; and most importantly, they give us all the opportunity to think about what goes into producing our food supply. These reasons explain why farmers’ markets are one of the fastest growing forms of farm marketing.
Although farmers’ market are based on relatively simple and straightforward transactions between farmers and consumers, concerns such as food safety, liability, competition with local businesses, and selection of vendors can pose difficult issues. It is important to understand how farmers’ markets operate and the types of issues they may face.
Please check with your local farmers’ market regulations and about “food security”.
Stroopwafels can be a great source of side income. Some farmers markets can sell around 150 packages a day. For a reasonable investment, you can make this work because the product is so unique. Farmers markers are usually open to new products like this.
Links for more information on farmers markets:
http://www.farmersmarketscanada.ca/
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FARMERSMARKETS