Baked Orchard

Deep in my second Farmer’s Market season I have observed and learned a great amount about business and people. I believe that some of what I have learned will not reveal itself until I am placed in a different scenario or posed a question. One point I feel that needs to be highlighted is business practices.
A farmer’s market is made up of several businesses and we all work together to create a happy clientele that turn into fans who share their positive experiences with their friends, families, neighbors and co-workers. Some businesses look upon these markets as an additional revenue source simply because they are a local business, but they do not utilize any or very little local or especially seasonal ingredients. This can be seen as a problem by some. In addition, those who are seeking to increase revenue, and disregard the markets true mission, can also at times seek to monopolize and/or control competition. This is wrong. Vendors need to support one another so the market strengthens and the foot traffic increases.
Some markets also have a long history, and as the interest of towns in buying local has grown so has the interest by businesses to be apart of the markets. If markets are supposed to exist to primarily support local farmers (produce, dairy, vegetable, egg, etc…) then businesses at local markets should represent, in part, this concept, too
The organization or person managing the market needs to insure that each market provides local, fresh ingredients from local farms; and, businesses that also incorporate this into their prepared foods. In addition, the customers need to request better ingredients and more locally sourced food. You vote with your wallets, and if a business that is being supported purchases mass-produced eggs versus locally sourced eggs – this can only be changed by supporting those businesses that utilize fresh, local ingredients.
In addition, markets tend to do much better and be more entertaining when all the vendors are working as one. However, there are those seeking to simply satisfy their need to increase revenue and want to monopolize and/or control a market to eliminate competition. This is the worst approach, since if each vendor is not supporting one another the strength of the market declines. Each vendor needs to assist one another so the market will grow and increase revenue and customer interest. If vendors are permitted too much power or control of which vendors are allowed, placement of said vendors or what can be sold this will create a serious problem.
I hope that as the interest in locally grown food and specialty foods that incorporate locally sourced ingredients markets will adjust their mission. There is more to enjoying it locally than simply buying a cup of coffee at the neighborhood Dunkin Donuts. Seek out small local businesses that support local farms and other local food sources, we will all be better off with the support and growth of small business.