• starting June 4^th or 11th
• 30 – 40hrs a week @ $12/hr
• approx. 13 weeks
• in Halifax (Quinpool Road).

As per the requirements of this program, the successful applicant must:

• are between 15 and 30 years of age;
• have been registered as a full-time student in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
• are Canadian citizens or permanent residents or have official refugee protection status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (foreign students are not eligible); and
• are legally entitled to work in Canada, according to relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.

The two positions are:

Local Food Event Planner, Coordinator & Promoter: Create and promote the first annual Farmers’ Market week, a province-wide (potentially country-wide) local food festival of special events. Coordinate with other local food organizations as well as media, community groups, food producers, and farmers’ markets to establish and promote Farmers’ Markets Week as well as other local food efforts across the province. Using creative and innovative means, including social media, boost exposure of local food special events trends, producers, and venues.

This position would be ideal for a student of Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Event Planning, Tourism, Business, Culture and Arts, Agriculture, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Food Sciences, or Sustainability.

Local Healthy Food Education Intern: Research existing healthy food promotion initiatives. Build partnerships with other healthy lifestyle and local food organizations and determine opportunities for collaboration. Perform a gap analysis to determine where new initiatives are needed. Where gaps exist, create educational materials, events and activities to promote the consumption of more local healthy foods.

This position would be ideal for a student of Nutrition, Biology, Life Science, Community Nursing, Medicine, Community Planning, Education, Agricultural Sustainability, Public/Media Relations, Marketing, Communications, Research, or Journalism.

To Apply:

Please send your resume to the email below by May 24^th providing the contact information for two references as well as a cover letter stating

• which position you are interested in
• why you are interested in that position
• what skills you will bring to the position
• how you propose to tackle the tasks that we have presented you with (remember that the position will not exist after the thirteen weeks are complete, so the goal is to produce something that will not require a large amount of maintenance after you have left).

For more information please contact Keltie at FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca.

Interviews will take place during the week of May 28^th.

• When: May 8th, 9:30am to 4:30pm
• Where: Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market

Agenda:

• 9:00 am: Early bird arrivals and mingling
• 9:30 am: Welcome and housekeeping
• 9:35 am: AGM of FMNS
• 10:55 – 11:10 - Market Introductions and news
• 11:10 – 11:25 Break (coffee, tea, snack etc.)
• 11:25 – 11:30 Announcements (Farmers’ Market Week 2012; Oh Farming Poetry)
• 11:30 am – noon: Carole Downey and Mary-Ellen Scott will share the story of the Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market and give us a quick tour.
• Noon – 12:30 pm lunch (bring our own lunch) *Working Lunch for the Board*
• 12:30 – 1 pm: Paul Gerin (Canada Business NS) speaks to the business tools and resources available from Canada Business NS and the various levels of governments.
• 1 – 1:30 pm: “So You Want to be a Market Manager?” – Jamey Coughlin, Truro Farmers’ Market, introduces FMNS’ newest resource for farmers’ market managers.
• 1:30 – 3:30 pm: “Show me the money: The economic impact of farmers’ markets” – Dr. Andrew Knight, Department of Agriculture, prepares FMNS markets to participate in the 2012 Farmers’ Markets Economic Impact Study.
• Break (5 minutes)
• 3:30 – 4 pm: “Growing Pains: Tips & Tricks from the Argyle Farmers’ Market” – Natalie Smith, Argyle Market Committee Member (also FMNS President and much, much more), shares secrets to success!
• 4 – 4:30 pm: TBA
• Thank you & safe travel.

We are a medium sized market, well established in our community with a large attendance every Saturday. We are also visited by tourists to the region who comment on how vibrant we are and the great selection of local products. We support our vendor base well and some have expanded their businesses to beyond the farmers’ market.

Recently we approached our municipality about receiving funding support to help top up our manager’s salary as she is currently working much longer hours than we pay her for. We explained our situation, that we wanted to pay her a fair living wage and we were only asking for $5000 top-up a year. Imagine our surprise when they turned us down! Their only suggestion was to increase our table fees. We already have done so this year and at $35 per week we feel like we have reached our limit as a few of our vendors barely cover their table fee.

What can we do?

Thanks!

Cash Strapped but Awesome Market

_____________________________

Dear Cash-Strapped but Awesome Market,

This is both a complicated question to answer and the most common question we get asked. I will offer several suggestions and leave it up to you to determine which is most valid in your case.

1. If your market is as successful as you say it is, your vendors are doing well and without your efforts they would not have the opportunity to direct-market to a large number of customers each week, then a $10 increase in table fees should not affect their bottom line significantly. No-one likes to pay more, but if your vendors appreciate the good work of your manager then they should be willing to support her in the same way that she is supporting them. What goes around, comes around. Assuming you have an average of 25 vendors for 18 weeks of the year, a $10 increase in table fees would bring in $4500.

For those vendors who truly can’t afford it, you have two choices,
(a) ask those who can afford it to subsidise those who can’t in order to retain the same selection of vendors at your market;
(b) ask the struggling vendors to get business advice. We can offer training to all FMNS member market vendors in essential business skills and can even find mentors for those in the agricultural sector. Often vendors have a great product, but they aren’t very good at selling it.

2. You mentioned that you had already increased the table fees this year, so another common alternative is to apply for project funding. Please be aware that many sources of funding are drying up and that projects only create more work for your manager. Also, if you are going to apply for funding you will need to provide excellent financial records to demonstrate that you are accountable.

3. The final option requires a different take on the same activity. Instead of approaching your municipality or other potential supporter (either government or private sector) with a problem, show them an opportunity. Tell them about your successes, how many customers visit the market each week, how much they spend and the economic impact on the community as a whole. At a time of tightening belts, politicians want to hear good news stories and businesses want to have their name associated with success.

So how do you get those figures? Join us at our AGM in Tatamagouche on May 8th where Dr Andrew Knight will explain how each market can gather key data, that he will then analyse to determine the economic impact of farmers’ markets on the province.

We know it is great, let’s prove it and use it to leverage the support you deserve!

All the very best,

Rowena

Information Coordinator, Wolfville Farmers’ Market

The Wolfville Farmers’ market is  a vibrant year-round Market with over 60 farm, artisan and chef vendors. We are engaged in the farmers market movement, active supporters of our vendors, have numerous partnerships with community groups, we are progressive in our programming and passionate about creating the best experience possible to reflect and nourish our community.

The Wolfville Farmers’ Market is the recipient of a Career Focus Grant to hire an Information Coordinator who must be 30 years old or younger, and who has graduated from a post-secondary institute in the field of management (recreation, community development,  business,  food or nutrition, public relations), and can demonstrate that this position would be a good early step in their career.

Role:
The role of the Information Coordinator is to enthusiastically and professionally create, compile, and deliver useful and engaging information and content about the Market, its activities, and vendors at the Market’s Information Booth on Market days and through social media the rest of the week, as well as at trade shows and community events as opportunities arise.

Responsibilities of the  Information Coordinator include:

To Apply:
Email the Market Manager at  Manager@wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca by 5pm, April 30th.   Please include: a resume with three references and a cover letter

Yarmouth Farmers’ Community Market located at 15 Hawthorn St., lower level in Yarmouth, is looking for an energetic, passionate,food savvy individual with great organizational, marketing, promotional and people skills to join our market team.

The Market Manager will play a key role in carrying out the ‘core values’ of the Market and in its development to build a multi-day market.

This position commences upon hire as a part-time position of 20-30 hours per week at an hourly starting rate of $13/hr leading to $15./hr.  You must be available to work independently from either your home office or market office and available to work on market day, currently Saturdays from 7:30 am to 2pm. and Wednesdays 8:30am to 4pm (from June through September) You must also be available to meet with vendors at the market during market off hours.

This candidate must be proficient in written and oral communications, as well as can demonstrate ability to create promotional/marketing materials using off the shelf software tools.

Experience with use of social networking tools and updating of web contents would be an asset.

This position reports to the President of the Market.

If you’re interested in applying for this position, please email your resume to: Yarmouthfarmersmarket@gmail.com by Monday May 7th^th.  All resumes will be reviewed and replied to.

Yarmouth Farmers’ Community Market – Market Manager Position Summary:

The role of the Market Manager within the Yarmouth Farmers’ Market organization is critical to the success, sustainability and growth of the market.

The Market Manager is accountable to the President of the Market, and is tasked to carry out the activities needed for the market’s operation or in combination with assigned support members/volunteers.

Market Manager Roles and Responsibilities

Yearly/Seasonal Start up Duties:

• Recruit new vendors, retention of existing vendors
• Monitor compliance with relevant regulations and codes
• Secure and maintain necessary market/vendor permits
• Keep producers updated regarding competition
• Maintain stall/table assignments
• Review the budget and work with Treasurer to maintain records of expenses and revenue
• Make sure vendor forms are up to date, completed and retained

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate opening and closing of the market
• Assist at stalls/tables when necessary
• Enforce the bylaws
• Handle emergencies and complaints
• Serve as the quality control person for produce and craft items as well as for the markets general appearance and cleanliness
• Maintain an information booth, guest book, recipe postings, etc. ‘
• Keep daily market log
• Hold vendor meetings as necessary
• Must be physically capable of lifting up to 50lbs consistently
• Must be physically able to stand/walk during the times that the Market is open for business 4-5 hours.

Communications and Networking Tasks:

• Represent the market with community members and growers
• Develop positive relationship with vendors
• Work with vendor education with merchandising, pricing and other
• Maintain the website,weekly newsletter and social media sites
• Maintain  communications with town and county officials, health department, site owner, and others connected to market
• Build positive customer relations
• Follow instructions and maintain communications with the board of directors
• Work with the board  with fund raising
• Work with the board to provide input into strategic planning

Promotion and Advertising Duties:

• Create an annual calendar of events
• Develop promotional strategy and implementation plan, budget
• Represent the market to the media and provide media coverage
• Maintain the website, social media sites
• Establish an advertising budget

Skills per-requisite:

• Interest and skills in sustainable/local agriculture and food
• Proficient written and oral communication skills
• Leadership : decisive , responsible, self motivated , mature
• Community connections
• Organizing skills
• Creative
• Natural commitment to the concept of the market, local food and direct marketing.
• Time to commit fully to the job
• Management  skills
• Knowledge of farmers market management/or eagerness to learn
• Conflict resolution skills
• Volunteer recruitment and retention
• Proficient computer skills in working with spreadsheet, word processing, basic accounting and social networking site development.

We have a really busy market, which we are very proud of, but some of our vendors tell us that we are too busy and their stands are being overlooked so they are missing out on sales. How can we help them to make themselves and their products more visible?

Thanks,

Manager of a thriving market

——————————————

Dear Manager,

We offer a great presentation called ‘Keeping your Customer Satisfied’ which helps vendors to think more like customers so that they can create a display that has more impact and which allows their customers to buy more of what they need. We have archived it on our YouTube channel and you are welcome to share this with your vendors.

A common problem faced by vendors is that they don’t have enough selection to fill a table, so they don’t have strong visual impact. These vendors either need to use props that are eye-catching or work with other vendors with complimentary products to collaboratively market them. A booth selling hats, bags and shoes will attract a certain kind of shopper who may buy a hat as a gift and a bag for themselves!

The benefits of collaborating to share space are multiple

• Reduced table rent through sharing space.
• Greater visual impact
• Spin-off sales
• Someone to share the management of the table with so you can take a week off, or grab some lunch (or a bathroom break).

Some vendors sell products that aren’t a strong fit, despite coming from the same farm. When was the last time you saw honey, polish and candles in the same spot in a supermarket? Customers shop based on what they plan to do with a product (eat it, wear it, wash with it, etc) and not based on the raw ingredient. So if you sell beef AND leather jackets you might want to consider asking a fellow clothes vendor to sell your jackets for you.

Some products have poor visual impact based on how they have to be stored – frozen meat for example. Some clever farmers have built freezers with clear tops, but the meat is still often wrapped or not clearly visible. This is where great labeling comes in – a cartoon of a cow on each of your beef steaks, or a sheep on your lamb chops. You can make your booth look more interesting by having photos of your livestock on pasture with chalk boards clearly listing your products and prices.

Vendors can help each other out by taking note of their customers shopping and recommending other products in the market. ‘This chutney goes really well with this havarti’ or ‘if you are looking for something else for Valentine’s Day, this vendor sells really exquisite soaps’.

Some vendors are already actively collaboratively marketing. Great packages for Valentine’s Day this year included Surf and Turf with wine and flowers. For the tighter budget there were honey crisp apples tied up with red ribbons and a white chocolate heart.

Markets could create fliers with lists of themed products which customers looking for gluten-free products or vegetarian foods or organic products could use as a pre-made shopping list.

Finally, markets could offer themed gift baskets as a way of showcasing the best of what the market has to offer. Themes could include new baby, retirement, bath time, wine and cheese, sweet-tooth, fall bounty etc., etc. Customers could order them a week in advance at the info booth, someone could collect the contents from the vendors the following week and assemble them into a basket ready for collection by the customer. Markets need to factor in the cost of the packaging and the time taken to do the assembling into the price of the basket and can even charge a little extra to raise money for the market.

Congratulations on your thriving market and keep up the great work!

Rowena

I’m confused! We have a great market which sells a wide selection of high quality fresh produce, meats, cheese, bread and artisanal products. Our Saturday market was doing so well that we tried to add other days. We tried Sunday, then Friday, then Wednesday. We tried different hours on each day. Nothing worked. Our vendors quickly stopped coming and yet our local supermarket is busy all week. What are we doing wrong?

Thanks!

Confused

—————————

Dear Confused,

Try to put yourself in the position of a customer and not a keen, strong, gung-ho customer, but a customer with a lot on the go, limited time, energy, strength and, in the case of Moms, hands!

All of the following factors will have a huge bearing on whether they come to your market.
1. Do they know, for sure, that it is open? .
2. Do they know what will be there?
3. Do they have far to walk if the weather isn’t perfect?
4. How easy is it for them to get their purchases back to their car (and most people do still drive to the market if they want to buy more than a coffee and a crepe)?
5. Have you made the shopping experience as convenient as you can for them?

Sadly, many customers will opt to buy poor quality, imported foods and pay more for them (even if they know that the products are better at the market) because they KNOW when the supermarket is open. They know what is sold there and where to find it. They can put their shopping in a cart so they can carry more and their hands are free. Those with mobility issues (pregnant and new mums as well as the disabled) can park close to the market.  And at no point do they have to put their shopping on the floor or fumble with their purse.

They may want to go to the market, and they will put up with all kinds on inconvenience up to a point, but when that line is crossed they won’t come.

Or they will come, but only as a statement of solidarity. Because they really care about food security and they want to know their farmers and to vote with their dollars. But the difference between ‘voting with their dollars’ and ‘shopping for groceries’ is about $100 per customer, per week.

So what steps can markets and vendors take to appeal to as wide a customer base as possible?

• Markets should poll their customers AND the wider community to determine which hours would suit them best and then stick with them. Any amount of confusion about whether the market is open or not will result in customers not taking the risk.
• Vendors should not leave early or fail to show up – a vendor telling a customer ‘sorry, I sold out!’ will result in a customer coming earlier next time. It will also help the vendor know how much extra to bring. An empty table, with no vendor, results in frustrated customers who may never come back.
• Markets should have designated parking spaces for customers with mobility issues. Some people don’t want to walk a few more steps; some people can’t.
• Vendors MUST park in the allocated vendor parking location; every vendor who parks in a customer’s spot takes sales away from ALL vendors.
• Markets should investigate ways to shuttle customer purchases from the market to customer cars, whether it’s small carts or scouts carrying bags for a fundraiser, the more customers can carry, the more they can spend.
• Vendors with multiple products should offer shopping baskets for customers to load up with shopping and leave space by the cash for customers to put their purchases, bags and wallets down, again, the more customers can carry, the more they can spend.

I expect that there are a lot of rolling eyes and ‘do you want fries with that?’ faces being pulled, but customers have choices and we should never lose sight of that.

There are also opportunities when we recognise that our customers have needs. What can we sell them to make their lives easier? So that they are more likely to come to the market and spend more.

Supermarkets have a lot to learn from us in terms of quality, variety and community. We have a lot to learn from them in terms of convenience.

As you walk through the farmers’ market, the first thing you notice is the sound. It’s like hearing a finger-picking guitar and a bass playing together. Then you see him. Just one man with a beautiful instrument, lots of strings and he is tapping on the instrument, not picking or strumming. This is Brian Bourne, the Man with the Stick.

The Chapman Stick combines the bass and guitar into a new and different instrument, played by tapping on the fret board in a fashion similar to playing the piano. As Brian says, the instrument provides the stick player with “the dexterity of the piano and the intimacy of the guitar.”

Brian is the only stick player in Halifax and can be found playing at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. Originally from Quebec, Brian moved to the Maritimes to attend UNB and now makes his home in Halifax. During his time in university Brian was exposed to Maritime music and now combines this exposure with his love of classic rock and blues in his professional career. As Brian says he likes all kinds of music and plays “anything with melody and rhythm.”

Brian started his professional career in 1974 as a guitar/bass player and has been playing the Chapman Stick since 1987.  Moving to the Chapman Stick was, for Brian, a natural progression in his growth as a musician. This career has taken him around the world, playing in Europe, South America, across Canada and the United States. Brian has played with many diverse groups, including Rawlins Cross and with Drum in addition to his solo performances.

Watching Brian play, it is hard not to notice his love of people and children in particular. He delights in the fascination children have with the Chapman Stick and he is happy to talk to the children and their parents. Brian is a great ambassador for his chosen instrument, music in general and for many of the qualities and ideals found in the Maritimes.

Brian can be found playing at many venues locally and around the province, but he particularly enjoys his weekend performances at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. He finds the Saturdays at the Market provide him with incredible exposure to a new audience, and a great chance to meet old friends. The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market is also a chance for Brian to perform in a “wonderful atmosphere” and, as well, a chance to play during the day.

Brian is in the process of setting up online profiles in Facebook etc. and can be reached at b.bourne@hotmail.com

The next time you are at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, take a few minutes to stop and listen to Brian Bourne, the Man with the Stick.

Board of Governance: The secrets of a highly effective board
AND
Conflict Resolution: How to deal with conflict in a business setting, and (better yet) steps to prevent it!

When & Where: February 27th at the Mahone Bay Centre, 9am-noon & 1pm-4:30pm AND February 28th at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market, 9am-noon & 1pm-4:30pm

Board of Governance: Through this workshop you will gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a board of directors and its members, discuss the various types of boards and determine which model is right for your market, delve into board policy, and learn best practices in working with market management and members at large. This workshop will also speak to those areas in which a board is most susceptible to legal recourse and outline steps to take to avoid such unwanted situations. This workshop is open to board members as well as market managers.
Conflict Resolution: Farmers’ markets are a place of community, but are not immune to conflict. Through this workshop you will gain the necessary tools and know-how to deal with and resolve conflict within your market, whether between members of the board, management and board, or management and vendors. In addition, this workshop will detail proactive steps available to you to avert conflict utilizing best practices and policies.

Free to FMNS members and $30/person for non-members. Space is limited; RSVP to Keltie by phone or email (902-425-9776;  FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca).

______________________________________________________________

Money Talk: How to better manage the financial side of your market/business
AND
Hiring and Firing: What you need to know as an employer

When & Where: March 5th at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market, 9am-noon & 1pm-4:30pm

The morning session, from 9am to noon, will focus on human resources for growing market businesses and farmers’ markets. The afternoon session, from 1pm-4:30pm, will focus on financial literacy and the basics of financial management; you will learn to read and understand financial statements, discover the best accounting system for you and your business, and how to find out just how much money you really have! Both sessions have been designed for farmers’ market vendors as well as staff and board members. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to better their business!

Free to FMNS members and $30/person for non-members. Space is limited; RSVP to Keltie by phone or email (902-425-9776;  FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca

_______________________________________________________

On the Right Side of the Law: Legal Considerations for Farmers’ Markets. What every vendor, manager and board should know!

When & Where: March 7th in Halifax, 7-9pm

Knowledge is power especially when it comes to the legal system. This information session, led by a team of Dal Pro Bono Law students, will highlight key areas of importance for farmers’ markets regarding liability, operating as a Cooperative, employment law and food safety. This session comes as a result of months of research and collaboration, effort which has also resulted in a formal document, created for FMNS and its members by our Pro Bono team, outlining legal considerations for farmers’ markets. The guide will be introduced at this information session and will be available to members via the FMNS website.

Free to FMNS members and $30/person for non-members. Space is limited; RSVP to Keltie by phone or email (902-425-9776;  FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca).

______________________________________________________________

Get Your Hands Dirty: Opportunities for farmers’ markets and market vendors in the growing experiential tourism sector.

When & Where: March 20th in Yarmouth (Rudder’s Restaurant), 9am-4:30pm

What is experiential tourism, how do you do it, and is it for you?
This one-day session will introduce you to the topic of experiential tourism and provide information and tools that will guide you toward developing visitor experiences. This workshop includes a hands-on experience as well as an in-class breakdown of the steps involved in pulling experiences together. Tourism Development staff are available after the workshop for one-to-one mentoring. This workshop is open to market vendors, managers and board members.

Comments from past participants:
(“Get Your Hands Dirty”, Wolfville Farmers’ Market, January 16th)
“The workshop was very well presented, informative and practically-based.”
“I would definitely recommend others take advantage of the information from the presenters and the Q&A from other participants.”
“There were many excellent take-away ideas and helpful online resources.”

Free to FMNS members and $30/person for non-members. Space is limited; RSVP to Keltie by phone or email (902-425-9776;  FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca).