The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: HappyHippy on September 01, 2012, 03:07:33 pm
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There was a thread a couple of weeks back about farmers markets (I can't remember what one it was and can't find it now) and I said I'd report back afterwards about how it went ....... here goes ;)
I displayed the pork (which had been wrapped, packed and labelled by the butcher) in big polystyrene boxes filled with a layer of ice. The temperature checks with the probe varied between 3.8 and 4.2 C (this was by placing the probe between packs, as per environmental health officer/trading standards requirements) As it was insulated boxes the ice didn't melt much at all (I was really worried about soggy packaging :relief:) The rest of the pork was stored in a fridge in a side room, but if you had a cool box with ice packs that would be just as good as long as you can keep the meat at 'fridge temperature' - according to the EHO :thumbsup:
For next time I'm going to get the blue gel filled packs to line the boxes with - they'll not get wet at all and they'll be reuseable too ;)
I cooked up sausages and gave them out as samples, again, doing all the temperature recording needed (environmental health give you a great form for recording everything on - it's fairly foolproof :thumbsup:)
It went really well :excited: I was completely blown away by the response from everyone and how supportive folk were about locally produced, outdoor pork :thumbsup: The market opened at 10am and by 10.30am I was on the phone to Bruce to get him to bring more sausages as I'd almost sold out (samples do wonders for sales folks :yum:)
So for anyone who's thinking about going down this route, the only advice I can give you is talk to your EHO and trading standards folk lots, they don't want to make it difficult for you, they just want to keep the public healthy and food safe (keep them involved and in the loop ;)) Take twice the amount you think you'll sell and GO FOR IT :thumbsup:
Karen :wave:
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Karen,
Thanks for the info. Its really great that you did so well. By the sounds of it you will be doing it again.
Well done
Sally
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Im SO pleased it went so well - fantastic news and well done you - the sausages clearly sell themselves with the taste and smell of them cooking!
congratulations!
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mmmm sausages, well done :)
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Sounds like you had a great day :thumbsup:
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Well done, missus :thumbsup: A good omen for next week, I hope :fc:
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Well done HH - Sounds like all your hard effort paid off, good for you - think your right on the samples bit - no way could I walk past a cooking sausage :thumbsup:
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Well done, missus :thumbsup: A good omen for next week, I hope :fc:
:fc: I am, in fact, 'bricking it' :o But also very :excited: :excited: :excited:
Who'd believe that I am getting nervous about talking ::) :roflanim:
Thanks to everyone for all your kind comments :hug: :-*
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Sounds like a good day :thumbsup:
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Well done - sounds like you "done good" :thumbsup:
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Well done, Karen. Glad it went so well.
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Well done! Wish you were near us....I always try and support farmers markets if I can. And always on the lookout for nice sausages etc.
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Well done you!! I hope it keeps going well :) :)
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At a farmers market you can spot people who know what they're doing. Well done!
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Well done! Wish you were near us....I always try and support farmers markets if I can. And always on the lookout for nice sausages etc.
I can do next day delivery by courier ;) (once I get more sausages that is :D)
Thanks again everybody for your kind wishes :thumbsup: :-*
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So glad it was so successful - as you say, the smell and taste should be all the marketing you need! :yum:
You'll do great hun :thumbsup: ; we'll be rooting for you!
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Congratulations Karen and some good tips for others thinking of doing a market.
I don't eat before going to a monthly market near us. There are so many tasty samples given away and even the wine stalls pour you a full glass of wine to taste ( they evenhave ice buckets for the fizzy stuff).
Do you think that sales are related to location of the farmers market?
I have walked through a few farmers markets they are located in the towns usual market square and notice that the usual foot traffic take a sample and march on. My guess if people visit a specific hall or stree to view a farmers market then they are more likeley to buy than a passerby who just fancied a bit of sausage.
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I think location might come into it :thinking: Maybe not directly, but it's influence on other things such as
1) We were in a village hall - not outdoors, so folk wouldn't be put off by the weather.
2) There was lots of free car parking very nearby.
3) We were at one end of the main street and had plenty of 'passing trade' ;)
All these factors combined with a hefty bit of promotion and publicity by everyone involved combined to make it a success. (We're all feeling just a wee bit proud of ourselves ;))
Lesmahagow is a smallish village and the main street is generally pretty quiet (especially on a Saturday since most people go into local towns to shop for a bigger selection and there's a big Tesco on the outskirts of the village too :-\) There's not a village square as such and I was slightly dubious about how it was going to go since it was the first one. The idea behind it was to draw more people into the village to boost trade for everyone (shops and individuals) and show folk they don't need to go outwith Lesmahagow - everything they need is here, even if they don't see it on the main street. I think that's why I was so blown away by the incredibly positive atmosphere and comments from everybody about all the stalls and sellers - very supportive and would suggest it's something that's not only needed but appreciated too :excited: :thumbsup:
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Well done Karen - Rach has always told you your products are good :yum: :thumbsup:
Hope this gives you a boost for next week - we'll all be rooting for you :hshoe: :fc:
:love: :pig: :love:
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go girlie, so glad i got my sausages ahead of the rush!!!
:pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig:
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Well done Karen - Rach has always told you your products are good :yum: :thumbsup:
Hope this gives you a boost for next week - we'll all be rooting for you :hshoe: :fc:
:love: :pig: :love:
Thanks Lynne (and Rach for her comments :yum:) I'm off tonight, back late Monday but have secured wi-fi access and am taking the laptop, so it'll be like I never went away ;) :excited: :excited: :excited:
go girlie, so glad i got my sausages ahead of the rush!!!
:pig: :love: :pig: :love: :pig:
Just as well you did ;) There's none left now :innocent: