Farmers Market Vendor Meeting Minutes

City of Easley
FARMERS MARKET Vendor Meeting

February 28, 2011
6:30 pm

Attendees: Lisa Garrett, Kim Valentin, Paula Bulluck, and vendors

Lisa opened the meeting by passing out information to the vendors for the 2011 Farmers Market. Lisa also presented new grocery bags we have to sell at the market this year.

Discussed ideas and new rules and regulations that will help improve the market this year.

Advertising in Natural Awakens Magazine, Parents magazine, they are going to do some activities also for children during the market. YMCA has an electronic board we are looking in to advertising on that. Churches are advertising in their news letter. Looking into getting a better more permanent sign for the market in front of City Hall.

Discussed the entertainment and activities for the market to draw more of a crowd; Pet Rabies, Blood Connection, Cooking demo’s, Kids activities, Smoke house and Sparky with the fire dept, music, Easter egg hunt for the kids, and a pie contest all these are some of the things that are lined up for the market.

Went over the rules and regulations with the vendors, some things new:

Items for sale have to be grown or handmade not bought and re-sold and that includes crafts, plants, etc.

The new parking area for the vendors will be behind city hall to save the spaces for the customers. We will be having a reserved section for vendors who want to sell out of the back of their trucks or vehicles and seasonal vendors on reserving booths when they are in season to come to the market.

The Policy for all vendors and customers is that there is no smoking at all in the Farmer’s Market Area. The city of Easley has a no-smoking policy and it will be enforced. Signs will be posted this year.

This year we are going to reserve spaces on a first come first serve basis. You can pay weekly or monthly or however you want to do it. If you reserve a space we expect you to be there (unless it’s an emergency) if you are not there 15 minutes from the time of the market opens you will have forfeited your booth to another vendor. If you want that space then you have to reserve it and pay in advance.
(Beginning tonight after the meeting you can reserve a space for opening day.)

Discussed no vehicles in the market before the market closes at 12 pm. Vendors are to bring enough items if at all possible to sale throughout the entire duration of the market so we have no vehicles in the market area before 12 pm. Discussed setting up your booth and the unloading procedure quicker so no cars are backed up in the market area on arrival. (If you need to leave early or have an emergency you need to see the person working the market that day.)

Discussed presenting your booth to the public and being creative to draw attention to the public to sell. Which includes labeling and pricing your product and just being creative with your booth to advertise your product. Watched a video from the Department of Agriculture with information on tips for the vendors on selling their product at the markets. If you are South Carolina Certified you can enter the Booth contest and win prizes and money. Send your information into the Department of Agriculture and pictures in to be judged. (Lisa has the information).

Opening Day for the market is April the 9th along with the Spring Fling for downtown. It was decided we will open the market from 8:00 am-3:00 pm on this day.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned.