1.1 Background⯆⯈

Following the creation of the Association in 2007, the first joint project was the development of a jint web site to promote all Farmers Markets and Producers and to offer Advice and Guidance to both Managers and Producers alike. With all members of the network investing a small annual fee it meant that the Association could afford to hire skills to work on the projects.

These are still the main objectives of the Association

The Association is a 'not for profit' organisation' with all revenue belonging to it's members. It is run by a Board which comprises a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Membership Secretary plus other members who specialise in specific projects.

We are always looking for support and help so please contact bob@kfma.org.uk if you would like to offer your time to help.

1.2 KFMA Projects⯆⯈

1.2.1 KFMA Web Site⯆⯈

The Associations main asset is our 'one stop shop' web site designed to:-

• promote both Markets and Producers

• enable existing and new customers to easily find Markets and Producers

• become a custodian of Advice and Guidance (for both producers and Market Managers alike from setting up and expanding a business and market .

The web site's importance was highlighted during Covid when it was continually able to inform the shopping public as to which markets were open and when.

In 2022 over the web site was viewed 80,000 times by 60,000+ viewers.

1.2.2 Covid support⯆⯈

During Covid, the Association created and gave all markets over 400 common Covid signs to help markets re-open as quickly as possible. The web site continually informed customers which markets were open and when

1.2.3 Radio Advertising⯆⯈

We, in conjunction with Radio KFM developed and then subsidised radio adverts promoting markets

1.2.3 EatDrinkKent⯆⯈

Our latest project which is to produce a local food magazine for Producers and Managers to give out to existing and potential customers in order to increase market footfall and make more customers aware of how to cook and store local produce

1.3 Other Membership benefits⯆⯈

• Directories for Markets and Farm Shops to find Producers

• Directories for Producers to find Markets and Farm Shops

• Directories of Local Producers

• Supplier discounts

• Insurance (Market, Producer and Stallholder)

• EatDrinkKent (our own magazine aimed at promoting local food, local Producers and Markets)

• Regulations governing the sale of food

• Advice and Guidance for setting up and running a Farmers Market

• Advice and Guidance for setting up and running your own local produce business

• Marketing your business (Social Media)

1.4 'Better Together'⯆⯈

The Association produced a 'Members Handbook' to explain how by working together we can all help each other and all progress which defines all the benefits of Membership features

We are always looking for new ideas that would benefit others. Please let us know by sending details to bob@kfma.org.uk e.g. training courses, promotional ideas

2.1 Managers and Producers⯆⯈

To join, contact our membership secretary laura@kfma.org.uk or complete the Preliminary Producer or Manager form (see Appendices A and B ) to set up the basic information required for your web page

2.2 Producer Subscriptions⯆⯈

Each Producer pays an annual subscription of £55 which is used to help fund our magazine and web site projects. We can offer a direct debit type payment to spread payment over a period. Please discuss spreading payments with Laura@kfma.org.uk 07799645205

2.3 REtail Outlet Subscriptions⯆⯈

Each retail outlet (Market, Farm Shops, Vineyards) pays an annual subscription of £65 which again is used to help fund projects. We can offer a irect debit type payment to spread payment over a period. Please discuss spreading payments with Laura@kfma.org.uk 07799645205

3.1 Web Site template⯆⯈

The Kent Farmers Market Association (KFMA) web site has become a 'One Stop Shop' for customers and media to find out all about outlets selling local produce. Producers and retail outlets have their own own web page and images. This gives you immediate exposure to the thousands of readers who look at the KFMA web site (last year 88000 readers used the web site). Over the years the web site www.kfma.org.uk is looked at by over 5000 viewers every month (this peaked to 8000 during lock down as potential customers continually looked at the site to find out when markets re-opened).

3.2 Web Template Description⯆⯈

Your web page template comprises:-

• A banner picture(s) (i.e. to attract customers (e.g. a busy farm shop or market or produce)

• Opening hours

• Directions

• Location Map

• Social media links to your web site and specific sections of your web site

• Your Contact details (tel /email)

• Your Background (interesting information for readers)

• What you can buy at your market and farm shop and your produce list

• Local News and Links

• Places to visit e.g.local attractions, where to eat (to attract visitors)

• Hygiene Certificate (Scores on the Doors),

3.4 How to maintain your web page⯆⯈

You can either use the standard input form (see Appendices) send it to Laura (Membership Secretary) who will update your site. Send pictures of your stall, farm and products etc to Laura separately (make sure to refence your Trading name). Or you can update the site yourself. Please ask Laura and she will allocate a User name and number for you.

3.5 Creating your own social media sites⯆⯈

Your web page defines the static information about your business i.e. your background, your products. It also highlights where you sell your produce i.e. all the markets you attend, whether you offer an on line service. Social media sites should concentrate on NEWS, e.g. what will have on your next market stall, what is in season, use pictures to create tour story on Facebook, Instagram etc sites so again by linking from your web page have a far better chance of readers linking to these sites.

Please discuss setting up your own social media sites with Laura@kfma.org.uk

5.1 Suppliers⯆⯈

We have a listing of suppliers on the web site which offer members discounts

5.2 Membership Priority⯆⯈

5.2.1 Producer Members are always listed first on all listings⯆⯈

There are many listings on the web site e.g. list of Stallholders attending each market, a list of what is sold by stallholder, a list of stallholders looking for Markets Customers and Managers looking for stallholders, Producers Members are always listed first followed by non members

5.3 KFMA Monthly Newsletter⯆⯈

Members receive a newsletter which flags up new Markets, Markets looking for stallholders and stallholders looking for Markets

5.4 Stallholder Insurance⯆⯈

Our Insurance agent G. M Imber, is able to offer an annual stallholder insurance package for use on any market. This may be simply for your stall i.e. insurance whilst you attend markets or insurance to cover your business premises as well (You will need to discuss this directly with our Agent)

5.5 Finding Markets⯆⯈

5.5.1 KFMA Newsletter and special listings⯆⯈

In addition to our monthly newsletter which sends out the latest requests from Markets looking for Stallholders and Stallholders looking for Markets we have special listings as follows:-

5.5.2 'Markets looking for Producers'⯆⯈

This listing is available for Managers. The information is sent initially to all Producer/stallholders via our Monthly newsletter. The information on the listing is limited by time as after 6 weeks stallholder information will drop off (to avoid the information being on the listing for a long period). You will need to request Laura to add yourself on again after the time period lapses.

5.5.3 'Producers looking for Markets'⯆⯈

This listing is available to Market Managers and Stallholders. Stallholder information will disappear after 6 weeks. To continue on a listing please contact laura@kfma.org.uk

5.5.4 Utilising existing web site information to find market 'gaps'⯆⯈

The web site also includes a lot of basic information which can help you and avoid a lot of wasted investigative time.

• Click on '" >WHAT CAN I BUY and choose BY PRODUCE' . This will display all stallholders who sell similar products as yours i.e. your potential competitors (it lists the suppliers and the markets they attend)

• If you then click 'By Market' within 'WHAT CAN I BUY' you will be able to see which markets sell or doesn't sell products similar to yours

• Click the 'FIND A MARKET' tab to find out the location of markets relatively close to you

• Click on the 'MARKET DATES' to find when these markets are held ?,

• KFMA also runs an on going listing 'Markets looking for Producers' . This lists Markets which wish to find specific types of Producers.

• Send an email to our Membership Secretary (laura@KFMA.org.uk ) and inform her to add your details on the 'Producers looking for markets list'. She can also include you in her monthly newsletter to Managers(This is YOUR CHANCE to sell yourself to Market Managers)

• Check individual Markets' web page to learn of the market background and then talk to the Market Manager (their contact details are on that Market's web page)

• Check similar Producers details to learn about them and how they sell (Note: To have your own Producer page you need to be a KFMA Member.(non-members have a basic 2 line listing)

• Visit several farmers’ markets to learn how others sell their produce before you invest any money in your ideas.

• Find out (by asking the Manager and also Producers how busy is the market, is it busy at the start, middle or end ?.

E.1 Social media links (Markets and Producers).⯆⯈

E.1.1 Link to your Facebook, Instagram and X (twitter) accounts.⯆⯈

We would recommend that you use your web page for static information e.g. Market, Producer descriptions, directions, opening times. Use your Facebook site to highlight anything next week

E.2 Images.⯆⯈

You should add a 'Banner picture' which headline your Market or Producer web pages.

The Banner picture may be one landscape picture spread across the page or two or three portrait pictures side by side. The objective is to display really interesting pictures of the Market or your products which which will attract customers . It is a good idea to change them seasonally to keep interest

E.3 'Events' (To promote your Market)⯆⯈

'Events' enable you to promote special Markets (e.g. a Christmas Market', First Market of the year ). These will be displayed on the Web site Home page and on your individual market page. They are date related and will start and end according to the dates you allocate . Inform Laura@kfma.org.uk of the date and event descriptions and she will add them to the system.

E.4 'Extra markets'⯆⯈

You can also create extra markets (i.e. not conforming to your normal date formula). These will then be highlighted on the Calendar. Promote theses markets by adding them as an 'Event'

E.5. 'Closing and re-opening your market'.⯆⯈

This is especially important for December and January, when you want to inform customers that your market will be closed for Christmas and will re-open the following year. Again inform Laura@kfma.org.uk of the closing and re-opening dates.