Marketing to 
The Community

Historically farmers' markets have been perceived as a place of commerce where farmers sell their produce to city folk.  Today organizers of farmers' markets recognize that farmers' markets can mobilize community support and civic participation, positively influence surrounding businesses and combine shared visions of the different community building players.  

Farmers' markets are as diverse as the towns where they reside.  Farmers' markets build upon the town's historic values, leveraging the traditions and ethnic diversity of their community.  Organizers and market manager must continuously build alliances between governments, neighboring businesses, farmers, state health agencies and of course, the market shoppers. 

Unpaid Advertising Opportunities

• #1 Advertising Method - Promote the market spirit by Word of Mouth. 

• Have a volunteer booth at the market

• Provide free community booths for non-profits to share their program

• Posters in business windows

• Door hangers

• Write articles for local neighborhood newsletter

• Create market event bookmarks for the library

• Street signage

• Windshield flyers

• Sharing Dot Survey results with community members

• Church bulletins

• Special events at the market (strawberry shortcake festivals!)

• Invite school band and chorus groups to perform

• Flyers at tourist attractions

• Real Estate Broker mailings 

• Reporters invited when a market does a Dot Survey in their market 
  (Tigard Times-Farmers Markets Go High Tech)

OFMA's Market Resource Library provides links, contacts and excellent reading resources to help jump start a market.  OFMA also welcomes your questions. (info@oregonfarmersmarkets.org)