Display – Signage – Customer Service Helpful Hints to Increase Sales

1. Display – Signage – Customer ServiceHelpful Hints to Increase Sales Sponsored in part through a partnership with USDA Risk Management Agent

2. YOU are in Control There are at least 3 topics each vendor is in control of at a Farmers Market 1.) Display 2.) Signage 3.) Customer Service Project of the Sustainable Food Center

3. Setting the Stage Project of the Sustainable Food Center

4. The “Do’s” of Market Displays • Elevate and tier products for better visibility • Use crates, bins, bushel baskets of all sizes • Stick with a theme • Table placement • Use all parts of tent • Keep products looking plentiful Project of the Sustainable Food Center

5. Display Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

6. Display Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

7. Display Example…. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

8. Display Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

9. Market Signage Project of the Sustainable Food Center

10. Why Price $igns? • Mandatory under rules & regulations for many markets around the country. Refer to your markets’ rules and regulations • In compliance with FMNP standards. • Saves countless energy from answering endless questions like “How much for tomatoes?” “How much for a bunch of carrots?” etc, etc. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

11. Price $ign Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

12. Price $ign Example…. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

13. Price $ign Example…. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

14. Product Signs • Use “colorful” language to describe your products. (examples…crisp, freshly picked, tangy) • Highlight uncommon varieties • Provide nutritional values • Combine with a price sign • Fresh next week sign Project of the Sustainable Food Center

15. Product Sign Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

16. Product Sign Example…. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

17. Product Sign Example…. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

18. Product Sign Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

19. Farm / Business / Brand Signs Project of the Sustainable Food Center

20. Farm / Business / Brand Signs • Identify to shoppers who you are and where you’re located! • Every vendor has a story…..tell yours. • Easy for shoppers to recognize / remember week after week. • Create business cards or flyers with farm or business contact information. Project of the Sustainable Food Center

21. Branding Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

22. Branding Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

23. Branding Example… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

24. Sign Construction • Chalkboards • Dry Erase Boards • Scrap Wood • Banners • Laminated, Brightly Colored Paper • Paint on front part of tent Project of the Sustainable Food Center

25. Customer Service Project of the Sustainable Food Center

26. Customer Service • Be aware of your appearance • Wear a nametag • Engage and converse • Educate • Offer samples • Overall good attitude Project of the Sustainable Food Center

27. Customer Service Project of the Sustainable Food Center

28. Resources Sustainable Food Center www.sustaibablefoodcenter.org “The New Farmers’ Market: Farm-Fresh Ideas for Producers, Mangers & Communities” by Vance Corum, Marcie Rosenzweig & Eric Gibson 2001 “Dynamic Farmers’ Marketing: a Guide to Successfully Selling Your Farmers’ Market Products” by Jeff Ishee 1997 USDA Agricultural Marketing Service www.ams.usda.govtmd/MSB Project of the Sustainable Food Center

29. Vendor Presentations Ottmers Family Farm - Stonewall, TX Peach Creek Farm – Rosanky, TX Bikkurim Farms – Lexington, TX Blackland Prairie Farm – Taylor, TX Project of the Sustainable Food Center

30. Ottmers Family Farm Before... Project of the Sustainable Food Center

31. Ottmers Family Farm After… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

32. Peach Creek Farm Before… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

33. Peach Creek Farm After… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

34. Bikkurim Farms Before… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

35. Bikkurim Farms After… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

36. Blackland Prairie Farm Before… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

37. Blackland Prairie Farm After… Project of the Sustainable Food Center

38. 10 MINUTE BREAK Project of the Sustainable Food Center

39. Tecolote Farm Vendor of the Austin Farmers’ Market Project of the Sustainable Food Center

40. Tecolote Farm 3 Tables in ‘U’ shape Consistent Table cloths Colorful flags Price Sign T-shirts for sale Project of the Sustainable Food Center

41. Tecolote Farm Another formation for 2 ½ - 3 tables ‘Spill over’ effect Abundance Project of the Sustainable Food Center

42. Tecolote Farm Downsized to 1 table Owl Tapestry recognized by shoppers Project of the Sustainable Food Center

43. Tecolote Farm Example of displaying large amount of tomatoes Project of the Sustainable Food Center

44. Tecolote Farm Offers Free Recipes Color Bands Brightly Colored Price / Product Sign Project of the Sustainable Food Center

45. Tecolote Farm Project of the Sustainable Food Center

46. Tecolote Farm Project of the Sustainable Food Center

47. Tecolote Farm Service with a smile! Project of the Sustainable Food Center

48. Demonstration Project of the Sustainable Food Center

49. Questions / Answers / Discussion Project of the Sustainable Food Center