Country Markets

Don't know how easy it is to set one of these up but they could work very well with the transition concept. It would encourage people to start making things themselves so that they could sell them and hopefully encourage people to learn new skills to produce something 'different' (therefore more likely to sell). It has to be more than just another craft fair to stand out from the rest.

I'm thinking stalls selling locally produced jam, cakes, honey, paintings, eggs, baskets, sweets, cards, jewellery, soaps, washable nappies, clothes, plants, seedlings, excess fruit and veg, a seed swap. All with morsbags to take goods away in. Also stalls to promote things like local services such as milk delivery, veg box schemes, community supported agriculture etc

To encourage people to stay for longer, you could have a section set up with a sewing machine or two to demonstrate how to make morsbags, a tv set up with chairs showing environmental films, a coffee morning at the same time selling fairtrade tea/coffee, maybe a reading/lending area with appropriate books/magazines.

There's one already running in Holmfirth on a saturday morning if anybody wants to see how they're run - see if they could be adapted.

I don't know if the country market way would be a little bit restrictive due to everything having to be home-produced. As nice an idea as that is, it would be good to be able to sell items that promote a sustainable lifestyle that might have to be bought in or maybe second hand - say a book exchange

http://www.country-markets.co.uk/

Becoming a producer...   
• It costs only 5 pence to become a Shareholder
• Anyone over 16, with suitable produce to sell, may apply.
• All goods must be genuinely home-produced.
• There are no minimum quantities to produce – start small and build up.
• All Country Markets are run co-operatively; no-one has their own table.
• Everyone is expected to take their turn staffing the stalls and helping to run the Market.
• A small commission (usually about 10%) is taken from sales to cover
Market running expenses; the rest is paid to the Producer monthly.

How are Country Markets run?
All Country Markets are run co-operatively. No-one has their own table; all
the goods are put on sale together, like with like, and everyone is
expected to take their turn staffing the stalls and in the general
running of the Market.
There are no minimum quantities to produce
– indeed, Producers are advised to start small to see what sells well
and then to build up to a level which feels comfortable.
Country
Markets have a formula to help Producers work out a recommended minimum
selling price which gives a good return for their work.
A small
commission (usually about 10%) is taken from the selling price of the
goods to cover Market running expenses, and the rest is paid back to
the producer at the end of the month.


Who can join?
Anyone,
male or female, may apply to join as long as they are over the age of
16 and have suitable produce to sell. All Country Markets have a Market
Manager who is responsible for accepting produce for sale.

What can be sold?
All
Country Markets are different - the product range is dependent upon the
local Producers and their specialities.  A typical Country Market will
sell baked goods, savouries, vegetarian dishes, preserves, honey, eggs,
fruit and vegetables, plants and crafts. Some may also sell fresh meat,
poultry and dairy produce. All goods must be home-produced and, in the
case of perishable foods, freshly prepared.  Nothing must have been
previously frozen. Our motto is “Sell the best – eat the rest!”

How much does it cost to join?
It costs only 5 pence to become a shareholder.

Are there any additional or ongoing costs?
After
joining you will need to purchase a copy of the Country Markets
Handbook. You will also need to purchase an invoice pad, approved
Country Markets labels and packaging materials. All these, together
with advice on getting started, are available from the Market Manager
of your local Country Market.
The Market takes a small
percentage (usually around 10%) of the selling price. This commission
is used for Market running costs.

Will I need to be insured?
Becoming
a shareholder provides you with full Product and Public Liability
Insurance whilst undertaking work on behalf of Country Markets Ltd.
(However, if you supply any outlet other than a Country Market, you
will need your own insurance policy.)

Why do I need my own copy of the Handbook?
The
Country Markets Handbook is a vital tool for all Producers. It contains
important information about producing for Country Markets. The rules
are there as a safety net. By following them a Producer can be
confident that all possible steps have been taken to ensure that
produce is of a very high standard, is safe for the consumer and keeps
within the law.
Trading legislation is complex, especially that
concerning food safety, but Country Markets Head Office ensures that
all Producers are kept informed of the latest requirements by means of
new policy guidelines, supplementary publications and our quarterly
Newsletter "The Markets Messenger"

 
Food Hygiene Certificate
All
food handlers are required by law to undertake regular food hygiene
training. For Country Markets producers this takes the form of a Food
Hygiene Course.  Courses are usually available locally; some Country
Markets Societies may arrange courses and contribute towards costs. The
Market Manager will be able to advise you about this.

Do I have to register my kitchen as a food business?
Under
current legislation, all food businesses must register their kitchens
with the Local Authority unless they operate on a 'casual and limited'
basis. 'Casual and limited' can be applied to Country Markets cooks.
Each Producer will be assessed on an individual basis. Shareholders who
cook for more than one Country Market, or for additional outlets,
should register their kitchens.
All Country Markets are required
to register the venue of the Country Market with the Local Authority.
They must provide a list of all food producers, and an up-to-date list
of names and addresses must be kept at the Country Market.