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How To Start a Farmers' Market

Why start a Farmers' Market?

Organizing your start-up

  1. Secure a location.
  2. Set days and times of operation.
  3. Register as a Non-Profit Society.
    • You can obtain a package from your local Access Center
      Some fee costs:
      A name search - $30.00
      Registration of the society - $100.00
    • Draw up your Constitution and Bylaws
    • You will receive a Certificate of Incorporation No.
    • An annual report must be filed after your AGM, including a financial statement. The cost of filing the annual report is $25.00
  4. Maintain a membership list.
  5. Establish a bank account.
    • Should have 2 signatures.
    • An account as a Non-Profit Society may be eligible for no-fee banking. (Check with your local Credit Union.)
    • A chequing account - for current expenses
    • A savings or term account - for future expenditures and set-up monies for next year's market.
  6. Business License as a Market
    All communities handle this differently. Most communities' markets pay for one license to cover all vendors.
  7. Check into Insurance
    Membership with the association will give you the opportunity for an exceptional group insurance rate.
  8. Find out about becoming a member of the BC Association of Farmers' Markets. Click here.
  9. Following are other things to be considered:
    • Stall fees
    • BC Association of Farmers' Market membership fees
    • Market rules and regulations
    • Organizational design
    • Signage
    • Advertising and promotion
    • Market Manager - paid or unpaid
    • Regional Health Department

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Why start a farmers' market? Here are some of the benefits.

  • Self-help for local and small farmers
  • Add to local food economy
  • Reduce environmental impacts
  • Rural/urban links
  • Possible town/city centre regeneration
  • Invigorate secondary shopping areas
  • Other retailers/food outlets benefit
  • Educational-awareness of farming, seasonality etc.
  • Fresher, locally grown foods available
  • Organic/environmental issues
  • Social/improve community spirit
  • Add to tourism
  • Can be self-sustaining

Click on this link for more information: www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/aec/aec77/aec77.pdf

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How to Start a Market
Health Regulations
Insurance Coverage
Resources
Farmers Market Hwy Signs
Promotion Ideas
Tips for Farmers Markets
Update Market Profile
Your Feedback

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