Tips for a successful food market
Caroline Robinson

Location
Select a pleasant, easily accessible venue. If possible, work with the local Town Council or Chamber of Commerce to try to establish the market where there are traditional Market Rights.

Advertising

• Advertise initially for potential stallholders to help set up a market.


• Then advertise very extensively with leaflets to inform the public of the time and venue of the new market.


• Get the time and location of the market put on www.irelandmarkets.com and www.bordbia.ie.


• Produce a map with the location of the market on it and drop these into Tourist Offices, hotels and B&Bs.


• Put up signs on the day.


• Always try to attract new customers!

Running the market
It is a good idea to select a committee from the stallholders to oversee the running of the market. Markets work best when at least 85% of the stalls are producers not traders. Try to accommodate seasonal producers of fruit and flowers, thereby providing customers with more variety throughout the year.
See also Example of a Constitution for
a Farmers Market download example_of_a_constitution_for_a_farmers_market.doc

Attendance
Regular weekly attendance by all stallholders is essential to the ongoing success and running of the market.

Quality
It is essential that all products displayed and sold at the market, are produced to the highest standard of hygiene and are of a consistent high quality. Only sell food that is fresh and throw out the stale stuff! Don’t call any food ‘organic’ unless it is officially certified as Organic with a recognised Symbol.

Hygiene Regulations
The Guidance Note 16 'Food Stalls' is now available on the FSAI website at the following link: www.fsai.ie/publications/guidance_notes/gn16.pdf This Guidance Note is available in electronic format only, not hardcopy.

Specific guidance on training for food handlers is available from the FSAI series ‘Guide to Food Safety Training’ which can be downloaded from their website www.fsai.ie
An E-Learning course on ‘Essential Food Safety Skills’ can be done online for only 30 euro. Go to the Training section on www.bordfailte.ie
It is recommended that all stallholders producing low-risk foods in their own kitchens comply with the regulations in I.S. 344.2002 produced by the NSAI and available from ILI, Northumberland House, 42/44 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4. Tel 01-8576730, info@standards.ie Also available from any Country Market.

Insurance
Public Liability insurance can be got from I.O.M.S.T. (Irish Organisation of Market and Street Traders), 101 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7. Tel 01-8603886 8603886, iomst@eircom.net and it costs about 350 euro per year. Alternatively, food stallholders may prefer to shop around to get a cheaper group rate from an insurance company.

Cleanliness
All participants should take full responsibility for waste disposal and hygiene around their stalls, both during and after market hours.

Requirements for a stall
Table, canopy/umbrella, scales if necessary, bags for produce, dust pan and brush, cloths, markers and card for price display, basin, flask of hot water, soap and towel.

Simple umbrellas may be bought in your local Co-op. Larger umbrellas may be got in France e.g. www.materielsforains.com or from Toby Simmonds, 087-7635595, toby@therealoliveco.com

Strong canopies and tables can be bought from www.gmcanopies.com e-mail: gmcanopies@btinternet.com.
Also folding covers can be got from Jim Daly 093-26461 www.expotent.com

Custom built steel stalls may be ordered from
www.market-stalls.co.uk Gavin Kenning Engineering, Whites Close, Nix’s Hill Industrial Estate, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7RB, England. Tel 44-1773-607505
(Ungalvanised stalls cost about STG£70)
www.nicoll-industries.co.uk Nicoll Industries, Steel Fabrication Industrial Estate, Victoria Crescent, Burton on Trent, DE14 2QD,England Tel 44-1283-510570

Reputation
The good name of the market is dependent upon the honesty and integrity of its stallholders. Charge reasonable prices for your produce. Charge reasonable prices for your produce. Spend some of your hard earned money in the local shops to keep them happy as well!

Selling ways for market days
Planning and preparation are what it takes to sell well at a farmers’ market.

• Plan the display and take time over it – stand back when it is finished to view it from the customers’ angle.
• Remember the ‘pyramid rule’ – things sell better when displayed as a pyramid. Use planks, bricks or boxes to make shelves to create height.
• Create an appearance of plenty – if there is lots of produce, display it; use baskets on their sides to ‘overflow’ produce onto the table.
• Always lift displays off the ground onto bricks, planks or boxes.
• Use colour adventurously. Use water-based (non-toxic) woodstains to prepare displayware for products and produce.
• Be friendly and cheeky – brighten a customer’s day with clever signage and quick displays – but don’t be rude.
• Use pre-packs if practical, more hygienic or to save time.
• Always offer samples and lots of information. Be happy to chat.
• Make sure the weighing scales are correctly calibrated.
• Make sure everything is priced clearly (this is a legal requirement) – people will walk away rather than ask.

The Irish Food Market Traders Association has been set up to negotiate with the FSAI and authorities on behalf of all food market traders. New members are most welcome. Just contact the address on the Trader Info Page.

Good Luck!