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:-

• Almost all the markets in Kent were run by volunteers

• The sector was highly fragmented, 

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

The voluntary Association was formed to promote Farmers Markets, their locations and times of operation. 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, initiated by the Association was to develop a web site showing the location of Farmers Markets, together with a brief description including directions, parking information, opening times as well as the local Producers who attended these markets. The web site also incudes 'Advice and Guidance' regarding starting up a market, a small food business and Food Safety.

FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

The web site has now become a comprehensive guide as to where shoppers and visitors alike can find other local food and drink producers. We see this role as expanding as we take on 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 we inform the general shopping public about our produce ? and 'How do they 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 probolems became the key objectives of the Association, in addition we provide services to:-

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

• offer to our existing large network of shoppers who use our web site, a facility as to where to find other local food and drink sectors

• initiater 'EatDrinkLocal' as a common brand .

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

• help environmental objectives by reducing food miles

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

• encourage best practice, by helping managers and producers improve standards and informing all of changes in Food Regulations; 

• help Producers find additional outlets for their products and grow their businesses, 

• help local food outlets find new local food and drink Producers 

• enable local communities build a social network around a 'food hub'. 

• advise new markets and Producers how to take first steps and build for the future, 

• provide 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.