Season begins

I regularly do 4 Farmers Markets a week and then in the "season" - summer pretty much, I do one extra Market. It's Antioch Kaiser which is really close to where I live, but in the past it's been a bit on the slow side. I am hoping this year it will be busier, I see we have a new manager this year and he's got all kinds of great vendors on the roster for us. I'll be going the first and third Thursdays of every month rather than just once a month. Opening day is Thursday and I am always excited on opening day to see everyone. If you live in the area, please help me spread the word!

a little change

I've been looking at the blogs of other folks and have decided this one could definatley use some work as far as appearance goes, so to that end you'll be seeing some changes in the next few days.
The thrust of this Blog has always been about doing the Farmers Market, my life, and a few Marketing tid-bits thrown in. That will mostly stay the same, although I'm really talking a little more about running a micro-business. It applies to almost any small business, run by one to a few people, and the things I have learned along this journey.
I hope you like the changes, they'll be coming soon :-)

Market Managers

As a customer at he Farmers Market, you may not even be aware that there IS a manager unless there's some sort of problem, lost keys, can't find a certain vendor, things like that. But I have to tell you I have a great deal of respect for the job they do. In addition to having to know all the rules about "ag" (agriculture, things grown) and "non-ag" (hot food/soap/bread etc, things consumed/used up) they have to enforce all the rules, which isn't always easy. It never ceases to amaze me that even though there are signs posted, we STILL get folks bringing in their dogs, it's a health code violation, but I've seen the people with the critters get nasty with the managers who are just trying to follow the rules. Without the managers, it would be anarchy! They also have to deal with the city/sponsors, there's a lot of things like that done for the benefit of the Market that we don't even see. I think the hardest part, must be, having to deal with all the personalities of the vendors/producers. For the most part, we are good little monkeys, but now and then you 'll get someone that's just a prima donna and very difficult to work with.
I have worked with (and still do!) some really great managers, just top notch (you know who you are) and in addition to keeping the order are just fantastic people too. This doesn't even scratch the surface of all the things required by their jobs, believe me, it's a lot of responibility and they take it very seriously.
So, when you see a Market Manager, thank them for all their hard work, the Markets wouldn't be the same without them. And as for me, I love you guys!

Let the crazy begin!

When you live in California, and do Farmers Markets for a living, you are blessed enough to have several year-round Markets, you go rain or shine and the customers are so cool, they support the Market rain or shine too, it's not just for "show" it's how they really LIVE! I can't tell you how much we appreciate the support either. Support Local really is a good thing!  So anyhow, I have 3 year-round Markets that I do all year and then two Seasonal ones that I do May-November-ish. The point here is that just one more Market can make a HUGE difference! It's that way for all of us. I have made 220# of soap this week, above is what 90# looks like! A normal week is about 100# just to maintain what I normally go through. So life has already begun to get busier! Here's where to find us these days if you happen to be in the area:
Sunday: Martinez, Main Street 10-2 Look for the Purple Tent as always!
Tuesday Concord - Todos Santos Plaza 10-2 (although we're usually there by 8)
Thursday Antioch Kaiser the first Thursday of the month
Friday Vallejo Kasier 10-2
Saturday - Pleasanton 9-1
So yes, busier, but I wouldn't change a thing! I look forward to seeing all of you that I've been missing!