Posts by me
Understanding Farmers and Makers Absences and Changes
Entrepreneurs use the market to learn, listen and test. Sometimes they decide to change businesses or markets, but more often it means an occasional absence so that they can test an annual event or remake their display or rethink their business. The market provides a wonderful place for them to test and listen, and a wonderful place for you to test and comment. Most vendors that leave, do so for business reasons. If you like a product or vendor, support them and tell your friends to buy from them too.
Read MoreFinding Your Favorite Vendors
There are a variety of local and state regulations that overlap and push against one another in a farmers market. This occasionally requires that, for instance, eggs not be placed in direct sun or farmers not be placed next to non-farmers. We know that making any change can make you work a little harder to find your favorite booth and we appreciate your understanding as we try to balance all the requirements and needs of more than 100 farmers and makers at the market. More changes are coming due to a new state law that takes effect in January.
Read MoreAssistant Sales Manager Needed for Gift Basket Program
The Vista Farmers Market is looking for an Assistant Sales Manger to run the Box and Basket Program. The program, now in its second year, is a wonderful way for customers to surprise and delight their family and friends all over the US with gifts from their local farmers market. This unique program benefits local farmers, artisans, and craft-people since it is their products that are exclusively featured in the packages. The Assistant Sales Manager position is ideal for a creative individual who is self motivated an interested in assisting with orders, collecting money, gathering crops, gift packaging boxes and shipping the same day for a speedy delivery. Currently, this is a paid seasonal position available October through December, however we will be happy to consider extending the program based on the success of the second year. Please contact Mark at mark@vistafarmersmarket.com if you are interested in this seasonal position. Check out more information about the Box and Basket...
Read MoreLittle Innovations
We like to experiment at the Vista Farmers Market! To date we have: held a contest to create a customer designed Farmers Market Soap made by our resident market soapmaker, suggested and voted on by customers; sponsored the Farmers Market Cafe, an endeavor begun by farmers to provide hot food from their own product and other produce sourced from the farmers at the Vista Farmers Market. They create one or two dishes each week and shopper can name their price; recycled bags, pots, containers, egg cartons, green waste, coffee grounds, and corks; eliminated the use of vinyl banners and paper towels and we try to avoid plastic; accepted EBT (food stamps) and WIC, the largest market in the county to do so. We have taught gardening classes, launched wheresgeorge bills, tested numerous annual events, helped local nonprofits, held a farmer/vendor garage sale, given away hundreds of pieces of birthday cake on the market’s birthday, bulk-bought farmer/vendor necessities, host a book exchange, trained potential farmers and vendors, created a farmers market handbook, created icebreakers for customers and farmers, designed an innovative hand-wash station, rolling table/carts, unique and flexible market signage, the vendor’s guide to Ultimate Happiness, and we keep trying new things like last year’s holiday season Gift Box Service, Box +...
Read MoreGifts at the Vista Farmers Market
Think about the Vista Farmers Market When You Want to Give Gifts. It will help the farmers, surprise your friends, and be VERY fresh! Some farmers, makers, and marketers already have gift packs, gift cards, and gift packaging, but each Saturday, you can gather fresh ingredients from the farmers and foodmakers to create locally-grown, sustainable gift boxes. Here are some ideas for gifts you might want to put together: The Spicy Farmer Garlic Garlic Keeper Herbs (plants) Peppers Gourmet Salt Onions Herbs (cut) Kimchi (pickled cabbage) Sauces and Oils Sausage The Gardener Fruit Tree Vegetable Starter Plants Herb Plants Earthworm Castings Hand Lotion Vegetable Seeds The Farmer from Italy Pesto Tomatoes Pizza Dough Cheese Olive Oil Fresh Bread Pickled Vegetables Zucchini Picnic Roasted chicken Salad Dressing Bread and Dips Pickles Dessert Cutting Board The Grilling Farmer Fresh Fish Fresh Steak Woodchips for flavor Rubs and sauces Oils Cedar Plank The Farmer in the Kitchen Ceramic Bowl Knife Sharpening Cutting Board Customized Towels Spices and Salts Herb Plants Farmers Market Dollars Olive or Avocado Oil Coffee The Spoiled Farmer Bathrobe Desserts Fresh Fruit Massage Natural Soaps Bath Salts Customized towels Chocolate Ploughman’s Lunch Bread & Jam Pickles Cheese Juice Fresh Fruit...
Read More