Farmers Market Toolkit Pre-Project Survey for Market Managers

Question Title

* 1. Farmers reported decreased sales at farmers markets throughout the 2016 market season. Did you find that smaller customer counts and sales occurred at your farmers market in 2016?

Yes, but I think it is temporary

Yes, I am concerned about the future of farmers markets as viable outlets for farmers

No, our farmers sales were up over previous years

Question Title

* 2. What did you attribute the decrease in farmers market sales to? Choose all that apply.

Over proliferation of farmers markets in the area

too many other options for consumers to purchase local foods

The drought meant there wasn't enough product in the market to attract customers

The market was not adequately promoted

Special events at the market did not bring customers to the market

The excessive heat in the summer of 2016 meant people were cooking less and, therefore, buying less

Our market is not considered a community asset. We don't have a strong community partner base

Our market manager has not received training

Our market location is not conducive to customer traffic

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Do you currently have the following programs at your market? Choose all that apply.

Social media/web presence

Formal promotion strategy (including press release templates, etc)

Youth programs

Nutrition education programs

Business Plan

Budget

Succession

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. If markets could be provided with tools and training to help reverse the decreasing customer counts, what would you like to see? Choose all that apply.

Programs at the market to engage youth

Nutrition and ag-education programs at the market

Innovative ideas to bring new customers to the market

Promotional tools to help advertise the market

Manager and farmer education on current consumer trends

Market policy suggestions that would help the market to keep current with customer shopping trends

Innovative ideas on structural changes that would help the market keep current with customer shoping trends

Innovative ideas on building community relationships to expand the market reach

Other (please specify)

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* 5. If a customer survey was created as part of this project and provided to you, would you be willing to work with your customers to complete the survey, then send the completed survey to the Federation for analysis?

Yes

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* 6. Would you be willing to share your successes and failures with other markets across the state?

Yes, I'll share my successes and failures

Yes, I'll share my successes but I'm not comfortable sharing my failures

Question Title

* 7. If a toolkit could be prepared to help you build top-of-mind awareness with customers and a successful, sustainable market, what kinds of things would you like to see in the toolkit? Choose all that apply.

A database of successful market programs and promotions used at markets across the state, including contact information

Promotional strategies templates

Press release template

Fact sheets on current consumer shopping trends

Nutrition education materials

Youth program materials; such as activity sheets

Business model for a sustainable farmers market

Other (please specify)