Our guest this week is Sean Kirkpatrick, co-owner and the culinary creative behind Down to Ferment Hot Sauce. Sean has cooked professionally for all his adult life, filling roles as an Executive Chef, Food and Beverage Manager and Culinary Director. At the on-set of the pandemic, his love of fermented foods coincided with his dissatisfaction with corporate cooking culture and in early 2021 he and his business partner launched their line of vinegar-free hot sauces at local farmers markets in San ...
Feb 13, 2023•46 min•Ep. 228
While we tend to focus mainly on farmers markets, here on Tent Talk, we love food markets of all shapes, sizes and persuasions! So this week we were delighted to speak with John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market, an open-air night market in Queens, New York. Every Saturday night from April-October, the Queens Night Market features up to 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food as well as small-scale cultural performances, celebrating the rich cultural diversity and herit...
Feb 06, 2023•56 min•Ep. 227
This week we’re discussing an issue that all market managers seem to face: pirate vendors. No, we’re not talking about buccaneers that sail the seven seas, we’re talking about sellers and solicitors that set up in or around a farmers market as unofficial vendors. Though usually well-intentioned, hawkers, buskers, petitioners, and street vendors can confuse shoppers about where and when the actual farmers market begins, encroach on sales, and could potentially be a liability for farmers market op...
Jan 30, 2023•34 min•Ep. 226
Ever wonder why farmers markets and small farmers don't have a bigger say in public policy? Us too! This week on Tent Talk, we brought in an expert to help shed light on the big issues that small farmers are facing. We learned a lot and it confirmed that the old adage is true: the squeaky wheel gets the cheese! Join us for this week's episode in which we get schooled by the one and only Kathy Zeman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association, volunteer treasurer at Cannon Val...
Jan 23, 2023•52 min•Ep. 225
Farmers markets are often touted as a key to revitalizing failing downtowns. And while they aren't a panacea for all Main St. issues, when executed well, they really can turn around a business district in a special way. Our guests this week represent one of those Main Street success stories: Ivy Hagedorn and Lindsay Gagnon, of the Downtown Joplin Alliance and Joplin Empire Market. Back in December of 2016, the Empire District Electric Company donated to the Downtown Joplin Alliance over 33,000 s...
Jan 16, 2023•37 min•Ep. 224
This week we’re joined by the dynamic duo behind City Gates Events, Brett and Patricia Keller. Since 2012, this husband & wife team has designed and executed high quality festivals that bring communities together, create connections, and encourage commerce. In 2021 they were recruited to take over management of the San Marcos Farmers Market, and though they had nearly a decade of experience pulling off large-scale events, this was a whole new ball game! In this episode Brett & Patricia f...
Jan 09, 2023•42 min•Ep. 223
What does a brand new farmers market manager need to know? Well... kinda a lot! Join us this week on Tent Talk as we discuss all the must-have tools, some tricks of the trade, and helpful advice that novice farmers market operators need to make a smooth transition into their new role. Don't tune out if you're a longtime market manager—even the most seasoned farmers market professional is bound to learn or thing or two! This week's episode is made possible by support from Manage My Market.
Jan 02, 2023•40 min•Ep. 222
Happy Holidays from us here at Tent Talk & Farmers Market Pros! This week we have a very special treat for you! We are airing an episode of The Meaningful Marketplace podcast which is co-hosted by our dear friend and farmers market whiz Sarah Marshall of Marshall’s Haute Sauce. A couple weeks back, Farmers Market Pro & Tent Talk co-host Catt Fields White joined Sarah and her fabulous counterpart Sarah Missoni to chat about the wild world of farmers markets. Listen along to hear Catt shar...
Dec 26, 2022•49 min•Ep. 221
Change is hard, especially when dozens of small farmers and vendors are involved, but that doesn't mean it can't be done! On this week's episode we hear from Lauren Wolfer, Program Director for the Palm Springs Cultural Center about big changes at Certified Farmers’ Markets of the Coachella Valley. During the pandemic Lauren stepped in to replace the longtime farmers market manager and then this fall CFMCV implemented a big change in their weekly market schedule, shifting their Palm Desert farme...
Dec 19, 2022•34 min•Ep. 220
Eek! The end of 2022 is rapidly approaching! Join us this week as we look ahead to another wonderful year of making farmers market magic happen. In this episode we discuss what market operators should be considering as the calendar year wraps up and how to plan for 2023. Time to pull out those calendars and start dreaming of all the awesome things you're going to accomplish in the next 12 months! This week's episode is made possible by support from MarketWurks.
Dec 12, 2022•32 min•Ep. 219
This week on Tent Talk we’re joined by Lisa Herlinger, founder of Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches. Lisa is a trained chef turned entrepreneur who launched her gourmet ice cream sandwich company at the Portland Farmers Market back in 2004. Now, almost 2 decades later, it's a thriving business with wholesale grocery and convenience store distribution, spreading joy and dominating the frozen novelty aisle nationwide. Tune in to hear about Ruby Jewel's origin, what steps Lisa made to push her farmer...
Dec 05, 2022•42 min•Ep. 218
Our guest this week is Laura Robbins, Owner of Wild Robbins Farm located in Sherborn Massachusetts. While farmers markets weren't part of Laura's original business plan when she established her farm in 2019, she's found them to be the perfect venue for her to sell her meat and eggs direct to customers who can't make it out to her farm store. She's also discovered the power of value-added products to draw in new customers and reduce waste. In this episode Laura shares how her chicken pot pies bec...
Nov 28, 2022•40 min•Ep. 217
It’s Thanksgiving week, so we thought we’d replay an episode that highlights what we’re most thankful for: our incredible farmers market community! On this Best of Tent Talk episode you’ll hear thoughts from 2 dozen farmers market professionals that we interviewed earlier this year at the 2022 InTents Conference in San Diego. Over the course of the 3 day conference, attendees sat down with Justine to share their “why”. Why do they do what they do? Why do they get up at 4 am to make farmers marke...
Nov 21, 2022•31 min•Ep. 216
This week our guest is B. Griffin, Farmers Market Support Program Manager for Community Farm Alliance, a nonprofit serving farmers markets throughout Kentucky. In this episode B. gives us a rundown of the new Electronic Farmers Market Nutrition Program that was recently rolled out in Kentucky, the difficulties farmers and market operators have faced implementing it, and the problem-solving efforts CFA has put into action. We also get an update on the impact last summer's floods in Kentucky had o...
Nov 14, 2022•47 min•Ep. 215
Join us for a magical episode this week as we talk with Denise Alvarez, farmers market vendor, artist, photographer and owner of Click Bloom, a desert inspired gift company based out of Arizona. She has a deep love for gift-giving and a knack for connecting with her fellow vendors and farmers market shoppers. In this episode Denise breaks down her philosophy of marketing through "magic moments" and shares tips for how to stand out at the farmers market. We also discuss what crafters can do to fe...
Nov 07, 2022•38 min•Ep. 214
Our guest this week is Yvette Lippert, market manager for the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market. Since she was hired back in 2018, Yvette has revitalized the decades-old market and overseen its growth, connecting with various businesses and organizations in the community along the way. Now, as a part of that growth, Yvette's market has embarked on an exciting long-term construction and relocation project. In this episode Yvette walks us through the different phases of this project and how the Yakim...
Oct 31, 2022•45 min•Ep. 213
If you're a farmers market operator, chances are you've been recruited to lend your expertise to some other large scale event. Our skills as farmers market professionals are extremely applicable to special occasions such as neighborhood block parties, artisan fairs, community fundraisers and annual holiday markets! In this week's episode of Tent Talk we share some helpful tips to successfully executing special non-farmers market events with other event organizers. Listen along as we discuss the ...
Oct 24, 2022•23 min•Ep. 212
This week on Tent Talk we're joined by two special guests with insight on making farmers markets more inclusive for every body. In this episode we chat with writer and researcher Ragen Chastain and Resource Libraries Coordinator for the Farmers Market Coalition, Nina Budabin McQuown about recognizing and combating weight stigma at farmers markets. In our conversation Ragen and Nina educate us on what weight stigma is, how these biases present in a farmers market setting, and what market managers...
Oct 17, 2022•52 min•Ep. 211
There may still be 75 shopping days left until Christmas but if you're just now starting to plan for end of year holidays, you're already behind! In this week's episode we chat about all the fun ways to get your farmers market festive for the numerous holidays sprinkled throughout the last few months of the year. We also discuss what you can do to make your market marketing more inclusive and how to use food-centric holidays and themed market activities as a way to drive foot traffic. Time to ma...
Oct 10, 2022•24 min•Ep. 210
Our guest this week is Stuart Nealy, Director of Market Operations for Heritage Farmers Markets. We met Stuart at the InTents Conference back in March and he stood out as one of the fresh faces of a new, ambitious generation of farmers market managers. On this week's episode, Stuart shares how he and his team bring fresh food to Southern Californians across various counties at 4 farmers markets a week and how their organization differentiates itself from all the other food pop-ups and makers mar...
Oct 03, 2022•41 min•Ep. 209
Hanging onto farmers market vendors can be like herding cats! Often times they are creative, independent business owners who like to do their own thing. While it's true that vendors will come and go and the occasional turnover is just part of farmers market life. However there are numerous things market managers can do on an organization level to keep vendors consistently coming back week after week. In this episode of Tent Talk we discuss strategies for retaining farmers market vendors, maintai...
Sep 26, 2022•45 min•Ep. 208
This week our guest is Michael Clark, sales and production manager for JR Organics. Michael is a third generation family farmer who grew up working markets and on the farm. Over the years his family's business has expanded to include more than a dozen weekly farmers markets, a robust CSA program and wholesale customers. In this episode Michael explains the origins of his farms CSA program, how it works hand-in-hand with his farmers market operations, and the benefits of offering farm box pick-up...
Sep 19, 2022•43 min•Ep. 207
Time flies when you’re having fun and somehow we’re already wrapping up the third quarter of 2022! Because we've only got a couple months left in the year, this week on Tent Talk we're chatting about what market managers should be doing to make 2023 even better: budgeting and sponsor outreach! In this episode we discuss the importance of budgeting for your market and why you should be connecting with potential sponsors now, rather than waiting for "charitable giving" season. We also give you som...
Sep 12, 2022•30 min•Ep. 206
Happy Labor Day! The Farmers Market Pros team is taking a break today and we’re bringing you a Best of Tent Talk episode that originally aired last fall. On this week’s episode you’ll hear our conversation with Jenny Heck, market manager and communication manager at Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where we discuss the impact grant funding can have in helping markets incubate new farmers and vendors. As farmers age out and vendors struggle with staffing issues, supporting thos...
Sep 05, 2022•38 min•Ep. 205
This week on Tent Talk we're joined by our podcast friend, farmers market royalty, cookie maven, vegan business mogul and founder of Maya’s Cookies: Maya Madsen! In this episode Maya spills the tea on what she’s been up to: pitching her cookies on the Home Shopping Network, reeling in an ex NBA star advisor, opening her second brick and mortar location and still maintaining a presence at farmers markets and events. She also shares some insight into dreaming big and accomplishing her longterm goa...
Aug 29, 2022•46 min•Ep. 204
Would you get a chiropractic adjustment or purchase a time share at the grocery store? If you answered no, then why would you expect to find those services at the farmers market? This week on Tent Talk we discuss the pros and cons of hosting service providers and informational/promotional booths at your farmers market. Knife sharpeners, food prep services, masseuses, real estate agents, home cleaning services, and bike mechanics all offer valuable services that your market community may desire. ...
Aug 22, 2022•26 min•Ep. 203
This week on Tent Talk we welcome back Sarah Delevan of Sarah Delevan Consulting and the Good Food CFO podcast. We first spoke with Sarah on Tent Talk back in 2018 and since then she’s presented numerous times at our annual InTents Conference, sharing her experience as a financial coach with a knack for understanding, diagnosing, and improving the financial performance of food businesses. In this episode Sarah makes a strong case for adopting a profit-first approach to budgeting for farmers mark...
Aug 15, 2022•45 min•Ep. 202
Last time Daniel and Kasi Haire were on Tent Talk, back in early 2020, we were all adjusting our farmers market operations to accommodate COVID-19 protocols. In the time since, this farmers market power couple who manage the Nolensville Farmers Market have become invaluable contributors to our online community, sharing brilliant market hacks and solutions to the sticky situations market managers constantly find themselves in. We're thrilled to welcome them back again to Tent Talk this week to ch...
Aug 08, 2022•45 min•Ep. 201
WOW! 200 Episodes of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast! Listen along as we celebrate this huge milestone by looking back on some of our favorite podcasting moments from the last year. We also discuss some surprising similarities between podcasting and managing farmers markets and chat about where we find our inspiration. Big thanks to our amazing Tent Talk listeners for sticking with us all these years! This week's episode is made possible by support from American Farmland Trust.
Aug 01, 2022•44 min•Ep. 200
This week we have two special guests (Greg Plotkin, Director of Digital Communications for AFT and Corrina Smith, Executive Director of the Columbia Farmers Market) who give us all the details on the 2022 America's Farmers Market Celebration hosted by American Farmland Trust! Running from June 20 to September 19, 2022, the 14th annual celebration showcases the essential markets across the nation making a difference for farmers, ranchers, and communities. In this episode Greg shares AFT's vision ...
Jul 25, 2022•38 min•Ep. 199
