Market three, at the Yates County Cooperative (Penn Yan) Farm & Craft Market, was my first solo market. For market four, I collaborated with Aly Trombitas, Agriculture & Horticulture Educator for the Tompkins County office of Cooperative Extension, at the Ithaca Steamboat Landing Farmers Market.
I observed how farmers markets promote creativity in customers and vendors alike. Much of the produce sold is raw, so culinary experimentation is required of the customers to make exciting, nourishing meals from the goods they buy. Some of my most popular materials are the Produce Spotlight flyers, which feature recipes and ways to prepare produce. Consumers enjoy picking up handouts for the produce they purchase and the produce they grow at home.
Friendly sales competition is definitely evident at farmers markets, which encourages vendors to get creative and resourceful when developing promotional materials. Especially at larger markets, such as the Ithaca Steamboat Landing market, the nature of local produce sales guarantees many vendors will have overlap in the goods they sell. Some vendors sell maple syrup, homemade baked goods and crafts, animal products, or outsource other goods to distinguish themselves from other booths. Some farms put significant effort into their promotional banners, using graphic design and professional printing, while others
opt for a more “mom and pop” look, using wooden signs and hand drawn pricing sheets. I learned how nuanced and complicated the internal economic systems of farmers markets are, which is something often overlooked from the consumer standpoint.
Though we weren’t selling any goods, having Aly’s canning gauge tester out for people to try was a great addition to our booth. It was part of her food preservation education, and drew people of all ages in. Once they were
engaged, Aly sparked a conversation with them about their knowledge of food preservation techniques and the safety importance of having an accurate canning pressure gauge.