This article originally ran in the Ruston Daily Leader on January 11, 2011, and you may also view this article at the Fount's web site.

Consumers today are showing a preference for locally grown foods. They want foods that have not been harvested prematurely, held in storage or transported across the country. They want fresh, flavorful foods with no food additives. The best way to provide locally grown foods is through farmers’ markets, roadside stands or farm stores.

January is the perfect time of year to begin planning a farmers’ market. Most markets are seasonal and operate from June to October. Talk with your friends and others in the community and see if there is an interest in a farmers’ market. If there is, proceed.

Decide on the type of market that will benefit your area. Will the market be grower/producer run with producers and consumers making all the arrangements; or will it be a city or town/ community run? There are benefits to both, but most farmers’ market organizers select the latter option.

Assuming you make the latter designation, draft a set of by-laws for the market. Invite an attorney to discuss with you the benefits of becoming a 501(c) 3 and creating articles of incorporation.

Determine how you will manage risk. If your market is on government owned lands their umbrella policies may be large enough to accommodate the addition of a farmers’ market with-out an additional premium. Generally this is the best option.

Next, conduct a membership drive for the market. Invite farmers, downtown business owners, local government, citizens and representatives from the media to belong.

Once these decisions are made, begin a search for producers interested in selling at a farmers’ market. To start a market, you will need five to ten producers who sale a variety of items and a minimum of 100 regular shoppers to justify a market. To keep producers interested, each producer will need to sell an average of $100 each day.

Markets that are supported by local government, civic and community clubs have the most success. Their support minimizes or reduces the need for insurance, building fees, maintenance, etc. When these costs are held to a minimum, more time can be spent on creating a balance between seller and buyers.

Locate the market close to customers not producers. The market should be conveniently located nearest the largest concentration of population and have plenty of space for parking. Research shows that buyers will travel 15 miles to reach a market and sellers will travel much further.

Consult local agencies and government offices to obtain permission to set up a market. These may include: parish and town government agencies that control water, sewage and sanitation; fire marshal’s office; zoning; and police and utility departments.

Markets that consider the comfort of both the customer and seller tend to be in shaded areas where heat cannot radiate off of paved areas. Sites with access to water, sewers, electricity and bathrooms are preferred.

Next month we will talk about how to operate your market.