Farmer’s Market

By: EconomyWatch   Date: 23 November 2010

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Farmer’s Markets are markets held in public spaces where several farmers gather on a regular basis to sell fruits, vegetables and other food products directly to the customers. Food Products available in farmers’ market are famous for being fresh. As these products are locally grown and are not traveled to a far distance, the nutritional content of these products remain intact. The Farmers’ Markets also saves resources in a way. As the locally grown food products are sold in the local Farmers’ Market, no transportation cost is generated and lots of fuels are saved. Not only that, the farmers’ market supports the existence of farmland and these well-managed farmlands conserve water and contribute to better environment.

Other than this contribution to preservation of natural resources, Farmers’ Markets are beneficial in other ways too. A farmer who sells his products directly to the consumers in the Farmers’ Market get higher price for their products compared to the farmers who sell their produce to some middlemen at wholesale prices.

Set up of Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ Markets vary in terms of their size and patterns. The simplest type of Farmers’ Market is the open-air market where shelters are arranged by the farmers themselves. They use the existing structures like bridges, covered passages and elevated highways as their shelter to sell their agricultural products. Another type of Farmers’ Market is one which provides the Farmers minimum protection and at the same time offers easy access from all sides. Fully Enclosed Market House is another type of Farmers’ Market, where farmers are offered better shelter, greater protection and facility of year-round selling. The most complicated form of Farmers’ Market is Market Districts. This Market Districts combine the characteristics of open-air market, market shed and market house with other related facilities and services.


Characteristics of Farmers’ Market

The characteristics of Farmers’ Markets are determined by the social, cultural, political and economic factors of the particular area or region. The different environments, different cultural norms and different historic relationships between village and the town result in a varied range of Farmers’ Markets. But, in spite of the differences in types and locations, the Farmers’ Markets provide a basis for the consumers and producers of agricultural products to enjoy the benefit of the local community.

Criteria of Farmers’ Market

Though the Farmers’ Markets vary in types, all of them follow certain standard criteria along with traditional standards. Vendors have to follow the environmental guidelines, licensing laws and market’s own rules. The days or hours of market operation, payment of rents are the other regulations which the farmers have to abide by. Generally, in every Farmers’ Market, a market manager is found who supervises the activities of the market and ensures that the market rules and guidelines are followed accordingly.

The main attribute of Farmers’ Market is that the sold products are locally produced. But the definition of “Locally Produced Goods” varies across regions. Farmers’ Markets which are near coastal areas generally cover a larger area which includes the source of locally caught fish. The Farmers’ Market located in urban areas also covers wide area. The availability of transport from the farm to the Farmers’ Market also influences the definition of locally produced goods.Along with its’ varied characteristics the Farmers’ markets are growing in numbers all around the world. This is the result of increased consumer demand for the products from Farmers’ Markets as those food products are fresh, healthful and affordable.


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