About the Kent Farmers' Market Association

KENT FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

The Association was formed in 2007 following a project carried out by the Kent Business School. This found that growth in the Farmers Market economy was faltering because:-

• Few Market Managers had any experience in the food retail business and especially 'marketing'.

• The sector was highly fragmented, 

• There was no general promotion and awareness of a Farmers' Markets ‘brand’. 

The Association was then formed to promote and support Farmers Market Managers. It is run by volunteers and is a not for profit organisation. It is now the largest regional grouping of Farmers’ Markets in the country

The Association was based on the premise that by co-operating together we can be far stronger than the individual parts.

The first, and still the most important joint project, was to develop a web site showing the location of Farmers Markets, opening times, directions and parking information as well as a listing of Producers . The web site also included 'Advice and Guidance' regarding starting up a market and a small food business plus Food Safety information.

FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

The web site has now become a comprehensive guide as to where shoppers and visitors alike can find local food and drink Producers. We see this role as expanding as we include other local produce and Producers.

We offer a 'one stop shop' to find all things about local produce i.e. where to find it and how to purchase it, 'Whats in Season ', a Market and Events Calendar and more.

We do not sell any produce to the consumer but simply guide them as to where they can find local produce i.e. back to the local producers web site

A common problem experienced by small producers is 'How do customers find us to buy our produce ? '. They are so busy producing that most have little time to spend on marketing and very few of them have any experience in this field. Providing solutions to these common problems has now became one of the key objective of the Association. The web site now:-

• incorporates Producer and Retail Outlet information maps

• informs the shopping public of the health and economic benefits of eating local food

• introduces 'EatDrinkLocal' as a common brand.

• enhances the public’s understanding of the eating local food in season

• helps environmental objectives by reducing food miles

• makes best use of Producer members’ time and money through use of standard web design templates and social media marketing.

• encourages best practice, by helping managers and producers improve standards and informs them about Food Regulations. 

• helps Producers find new retail outlets for their produce and thus grow their businesses, 

• helps local food retail outlets find new Producers of local food and drink

• advises both Markets and small Producers how to take first steps and build for the future, 

• provides Supplier discounts to Association members

We also offer Membership to Farmers Markets located outside of Kent so that they can also benefit from the work of the Association (e.g Insurance, suppliers, web site etc). 

The Association is 'Not for profit' organisation and is financed by subscriptions. In addition, we have been fortunate from help from sponsors and in receiving various grants from KCC and other organisations

Data Protection

Kent Farmers' Market Association collects data in order to keep our traders, market managers and shoppers informed about local food in Kent. A full statement of our data policy can be read here. You have the right to view and amend the data we hold on you or be removed from our database entirely.

Please CONTACT US on info@kfma.org.uk for more information.