Sell at a London Farmers' Market

Are you making enough money selling at the farm gate? Are you getting a bad deal from the supermarkets? Would you like to keep the full retail price instead of giving a cut to the middleman?

If so, try selling your fruit, vegetables, salads, juice, cheese, flowers, herbs, meat, breads, eggs, wines, and honey direct to the public at a weekly farmers' market.

We operate popular farmers' markets right across London, including Islington, Notting Hill, Palmers Green, and Wimbledon Park. Islington was the first farmers' market in London and attracted national media attention when it opened in June 1999.

Every week, we get calls from communities who want a farmers' market.
If you would like to sell at a London farmers' market, please contact us soon. There is a waiting list for spaces for certain products. We need more fruit and vegetables, salads, and organic foods of all kinds.

If you've never sold direct before we can help with free marketing advice and suggestions. If you have sold before and it didn't work out we suggest you give our markets a try, or come and visit our markets to see how we do things differently.

We need more farmers

(Especially those selling good-tasting fruit & veg, salad leaves, organic produce, and dairy products made from milk from their own herds)

What's a farmers' market? How do I qualify?

Producers Only
Farmers sell their own fresh produce directly to the public. You may not purchase and resell another farmer's produce. You must grow or produce the ingredients in processed foods, such as cheese, apple juice, or sausages. You must also make the cheese, juice, or sausages yourself (with one or two exceptions). You or a family member or someone who works on your farm must run your market stall.

Regional Produce
Your farm or place of production must be within 100 miles of the M25.

The Fine Print
You must have public liability insurance. If you sell alcohol, you must have an occasional off-licence.

Who benefits from farmers' markets?

Not the middleman! You, the farmer or producer, keep the full retail price. For a reasonable fee per market, you benefit from a concentrated and steady stream of high quality, repeat customers - many more than would come to the farm gate in four hours. Regular market customers often become mail order shoppers or visit the farm for Pick-Your-Own. The farm gets free publicity in London.

Why are farmers markets so popular with customers?

The food is fresh, local, and seasonal. Customers love to meet the farmers who grew their food. At the market, consumers don't worry about BSE, pesticides, or inhumane practices because they can ask the farmer how the food was grown.

How do the farmers' markets work?

SEASON:
All the markets are open weekly, except for a break at Christmas.

STALLS:
You bring your own stalls, tables, canopies, and signs. Sometimes we can provide electricity.

FEES:
One application, one set of rules, and a one-off farm-visit/application fee of £30 (VAT incl.) applies to ALL the markets we organise. Farmers pay market fees weekly in cash. Fees are based on sales, with a minimum of £20 per market.

What will increase your chances of getting a space?

High standards
We favour good practices: for example, humane treatment of animals and sustainable methods including, but not limited to, organic and biodynamic production. The fewer chemicals you use, the better. Animals should be free-range. Meat should be free of additives and hormones.

Variety
The best stalls have a range of produce, rather than one crop. We also like multiple varieties of one vegetable or fruit. We encourage unusual varieties and rare breeds.

Superior Quality
We look for fruit and vegetables with superior flavour. Grow good-tasting varieties or breeds and the customers will come back again and again.

Weekly Attendance
We strongly prefer weekly attendance.

Do I have to be organic?
No. But organic foods are in high demand. In any case, the fewer chemicals, the better.

What if my farm is more than 100 miles from the M25?
Farmers' markets are designed to support local and regional farmers. We hope you can find another market closer to your farm. For a complete list, contact the FRA and the NAFM at:

P O Box 575, Southampton S015 7BZ
Tel: 0845 230 2150
Fax: 023 8036 2150
E-mail: info@farmshopping.com