Winter, Holiday, and Online Markets
When you think of a farmers market, what normally comes to mind is a street lined with tents on a warm, sunny summer day. But why limit the joy of farmers markets to just the warm season? Many markets have expanded to offer winter and holiday markets, allowing their year-round farmers to bring fresh, local produce to the community even in the rain and snow. Some markets also offer online ordering to expedite the shopping process. Offering winter or online markets are great ways to expand your existing farmers market.
Winter and Holiday Markets
Extending your market’s season offers more sales opportunities for your vendors and more access to fresh food for your community. Off-season markets add continuity and connection between your vendors and customers, strengthening the farmers market shopping habit when they can come to rely on it being open regularly, and actually resulting in higher crowd counts during your summer season.
Running a winter market also comes with seasonal challenges. A longer season means higher staffing costs. Inclement weather can mean the location you use for your summer market may not be suitable for a winter market. OFMA has compiled some advice for folks looking to extend their farmers market season!
Read through OFMA’s Best Practices Guide for creating a winter market below.
Online Farmers Markets
In 2020, farmers markets in Oregon had to adapt to changing marketplace regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a potential loss of customers and to preserve the farmers market and vendor businesses, many Oregon farmers markets adopted online pre-order systems as a way to deliver vendor products to community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Oregon Farmers Markets Association received special funding from the Oregon Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program and the Oregon Coastal Visitors Association to provide technical assistance to farmers markets who were thinking of on-boarding online market applications.
As a result, 30 farmers markets in Oregon (as of August 2020) have adopted online pre-order systems. We have compiled resources for markets who are interested in implementing online markets. Contact OFMA at info@oregonfarmersmarkets.org for more information.
