If you think that you have a suitable product to sell at a farmers’ market there are a number of hurdles to cross. Here are some of them and some guidance as to what you have to do.

1. Early on visit your local market(s) which suit you and survey what is sold. In other words is your product already on sale and is there more than one stall selling it. Don’t be put off if there is as some competition is good.

2. Contact your local market organiser(s) and discuss what you have to offer.

3. If it is a food produce contact your local Environment Health Department and they will be pleased to offer advice and inspect your premises where you intend to produce your goods for sale.

4. It would be sensible to discuss your “operation” with Trading Standard Officers. They can give good advice on labelling and the information you are obliged to provide.

5. Investigate insurance cover. You will require Public Liability cover and Product Liability cover.

6. Consider how you will present your product. Will you require a refrigerated display unit – if so, will it be a full size unit or a table top model. Think about the practicalities of getting your equipment to & from the market plus remember you have to handle everything. However, there are always willing hands at the market to assist you.

7. Markets are held throughout the year in all weather conditions and it is your responsibility to ensure protection for your sales person and your produce. Rain & wind can cause havoc and consideration should be given to this problem

LFML follow a strict procedure in selecting new producers/stall-holders. From an initial contact from you we will decide
· That you have something different to offer
· That we can accommodate another stall with produce that is already sold.
· That we have stall availability

At this stage we invite you to submit an application form which asks relevant questions. The information provided is presented at a Director’s meeting where consideration is given to your application and any existing stall-holder(s) who might be affected. Competition is healthy but too much of the same thing is not good for producers and customers. Applicants are advised of the decision made by the Directors as soon as possible and if this is positive then arrangements are made to meet with you and inspect your production premises. This is an informal meeting to allow us check out your credentials and take you through our Market Rules. Thereafter, if everything is satisfactory we invite you to join us for a trial period, normally 3 months. This allows both parties to check each other out.

LFML is a friendly organisation and we take pride in how we manage our affairs. We try to bring the best of produce to our customers hence our vetting procedure. We are very responsible and will come down hard on stall-holders who drop below standard and therefore make the market less attractive to the customers who are our main priority..