What a week!
First the links…
FFWD Weekly
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/calgary-farmers-market-vendors-break-out-to-form-new-local-market-5313/
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Farmers+Market+vendors+consider+move+breakaway+local+market/2641679/story.html
The best part of the article are the comments. I think you get a great feel for what people are thinking about.
Generally, people are really positive and excited for our vision.
We have about 100 days until we want to open the Summer Market so the countdown is officially on!
More info coming soon!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This is great news. How can I apply for a foodkoist?
Thanks
Dolly
Dolly,
Please go visit http://www.ilovealbertafarmers.com and register on the vendor page.
Thanks!
Tim
I like the new focus and vision of this, but what about differentiating from the other markets in the south even more. The current market is large and unwieldy to me, filled with a lot of trinkets, when what I really want to go to a farmers market for is food, that’s all. Crafts are fine, but there are other farmers markets that do that, so why not just focus on good food? The notion that the same people that want good local food also want jewelry and art may be a bit tired. I think there may be other consumers looking for a place to get good food quickly and be done with it. The quote from the documentary “Fresh” says it all, “what Americans fear most is inconvenience”.
Our focus is real food from real farmers.
There will be other vendors (some artisans) but the focus is on food! Local Alberta food from local Alberta farmers.
They can be significant marketing advantage to specializing your offering, especially in a crowded market (pun intended). Being able to say something like “no processed foods” or “real foods, no trinkets” can be a powerful differentiator. I go to farmers markets for fresh food, not jam, cookies or crafts. There are lots of existing options out there if I am looking for those items, I don’t see the benefit to the market in duplicating that offering. Lead with what you do best and forget the rest…and then scream it from the rooftops.
If people want to visit http://www.kingslandfarmersmarket.com to go to the Facebook page. They are looking for people to comment on what makes a farmers market a ‘good’ farmers market.
There are already 5 good comments and you should really go add your own!
Hello Tim….
I didn’t get any email from u guys, I will re-register so to see if I can get those emails
cheers
I haven’t had the time to get the email out yet. I am hoping for tomorrow AM.