"Start a Green Business" Series: Farmers' Market
Does your community need a farmers' market? You could be the entrepreneur to start it! 1. What is a farmers' market?
Farmers' markets are usually open-air, outdoor gatherings where growers and producers can sell their crops directly to consumers, as opposed to selling them to a grocery store. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the explosion in the number of farmers' markets continues despite the poor economy, up 13% from October 2008 to October 2009, with roughly 4,000 new markets starting since the USDA started keeping track in 1994. Bill McKibben, in his groundbreaking work Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, makes an extremely compelling case for local food (production and processing) as the primary key in the transition to a sustainable economy full of good jobs, functional communities, reduced poverty, and environmental sustainability. Farmers' markets are a quintessential element in the development of local food systems. 2. What required knowledge or skills are necessary?
There are no formal educational or training requirements for this job. However, the work is strenuous and requires that workers are able to be on their feet for extended periods of time, be well-organized, good 'people people,' and be able to lift up to 25 pounds. 3. How much money is required to start?
$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$) 4. What is the income potential?
$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$) 5. What is the best location for a farmers' market?
Urban (best), semi-urban (very good), suburbs (very good), rural (fair/poor). 6. Three best questions to ask yourself to find out if this business is right for you (if you can answer yes to all three, this business might be for you):
Are you social, extroverted, and love to connect people?
Do you have a passion for healthy food?
Are you in a position where you can start a business that might take 10-20 hours per week and not pay very much?----------------------------------------------------------------Interested in starting one in your community? Where do you begin? What permits do you need? Who are your target customers? How do you find them? What is the best use of your limited advertising dollars? What's the best way to attract a great employee or volunteer? What does an average day look like? What strategic tips do veteran eco-entrepreneurs suggest for startups like you? THERE'S A LOT TO THINK ABOUT. REST EASY! OUR MISSION IS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED, SO DROP US A LINE (
INFO@GREENBUSINESSOWNER.COM). WE'LL GET YOU A BUSINESS PLANNING DOCUMENT TO GET YOU ON YOUR WAY FOR ONLY $99! WE ALSO GUARANTEE OUR WORK, SO IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED, YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK!*
In essence, we'll provide you the What, When, Where, and How…you provide the Who!
*Subject to the terms of our Licensing Agreement.
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