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Some groups (or individuals) who frequently should be involved or characterized by big trucks, fast-moving <br /> contacted when planning a farmers' market include: materials handling equipment, stacks in <br /> vehicular areas, early hours, perspiring <br /> Who Should be Involved? Why? workers —aII of which may prove <br /> distasteful or threateningto retail farmers' <br /> County or city officials Site, funding, policing, staffing market shoppers. Adequate, wel (- <br /> County Extension staff Technical information, leadership marked, weIt parking areas away <br /> Area development district staff Funding applications, coordination from moving equipment gives the retail <br /> Planning, zoning, <br /> building code officials Facilities development customer more security. <br /> Utility representatives Water, electricity, sewer, garbage Not much data exist about the <br /> Highway department or impact of non - produce sales activities <br /> city street department officials Entrances, traffic in farmers' markets, but flea markets or <br /> Police representatives Security, traffic antique shows which operate regularly <br /> Fire marshall's office Fire safety all year will likely swallow up a farmers' <br /> FmHA office Grants, loans market in the immediate vicinity. A <br /> ASCS county manager Federal ag program support farmers' market located on the road <br /> Soil Conservation Service Site considerations towards a popular activity like a flea <br /> Civic clubs and churches Support, funding market might be very successful if flea <br /> Banks Operating loans, support <br /> Agricultural organizations Support, funding market patrons stop to buy produce. <br /> Local farmer co - ops However, it is likely that sharing <br /> or other ag suppliers Materials at reduced cost buildings and parking will diminish the <br /> Community Action Programs Support through anti - poverty programs impact of the farmers' market. Most <br /> Local health department Health code considerations customers will either refuse to visit the <br /> Tennessee Valley Authority Management support, funding market because of parking and walking <br /> State Department of Agriculture Promotion, regulations, facilities distances, or will divert their major <br /> Local produce dealers attention (and dollars)tothenon produce <br /> and supermarket representatives Market coordination, goodwill, tech nical help <br /> Local director of Manpower, inc. activities. <br /> or CETA programs Labor Although it is possible that more <br /> High school vocational customers would buy produce at the <br /> agriculture teacher Educational help farmers' market if they were attracted by <br /> Private groups involved in a flea market, the danger is that producers <br /> local market development Assistance, support, promotion will lose control and the facility will <br /> increasingly be operated for the benefit <br /> of the non - produce segment. The best <br /> Favorable Environment stalls will be continuously occupied by non - produce <br /> sellers and soon all stalls will contain flea market sellers <br /> Thoughts to Consider <br /> who sell each day, while produce sellers will be consigned <br /> g to outside areas in the back of the parking lot on the days <br /> • Do not share a location with vigorous non - produce they share the market. <br /> sales activities. <br /> • The market may benefit from the proximity of a <br /> wholesale produce area. Location and Site Considerations <br /> • Farmers' market customers may not mix well with <br /> commercial produce activity. <br /> Thoughts to Consider <br /> In some larger cities, such as Louisville, wholesale • Locate the market where it is convenient and close to <br /> marketing districts exist. There may be some interest in buyers. <br /> locating a farmers' market in the same vicinity. A farmers' • Locate it where sellers can reach it easily. <br /> market is generally believed to be complementary to • Make sure the entrance and exit are not traffic hazards. <br /> commercial produce wholesaling, but it is important to • Provide enough space for parking and traffic flow. <br /> note that they differ in their kinds of activities, customers, • Choose a well - drained, relatively level site. <br /> and facility requirements. <br /> An advantage of having the two activities in proximity In selecting a location, it is more important to be near <br /> is that it permits producers to contact wholesalers to sell the majority of customers than to be close to producers. <br /> excess supplies and enables wholesalers to buy some of Closeness should be measured in terms of convenience as <br /> their needs from farmers. Yet, the wholesale industry is well as distance. Studies show that most customers will <br /> 3 <br />