Kids. They’re curious. They’re happy. They’re eager to learn and try new things. What’s not to love?
We recognize that kids are often just dragged along when their parents venture out and so we set out, once a month, to make this their absolutely favorite stop of the day. We call it Kids Day and we work hard to bring together a lot of things we know kids will enjoy, such as:
This week, we’ll be making play dough and then the kid can spend some time using cutters and shapes and molds to have some fun. We can get a little messy, right? Not too much, though. We have kids, too, and know that would be a bad thing.
For September, we’re having a scientist come down and do lots of free, hands on activities with the kids. October is still open ~ any suggestions for an activity?
We also do what we think of as a “Big Game” that encompasses the entire Market. We had a scavenger hunt in June, and then a picture scavenger hunt in July. For August we are doing a very simple map game where the participants will be collecting easy trivia questions to answer and bring back to the Start tent for their prize. EASY, we promise.
We do what we can to make the Farmers Market Annex a place the entire family will enjoy. Come down for yourself and see what fun can be had ~ for FREE!
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by Angela Kenney
Georgie Fallat has been selling Windrift Hill Moisturizing Goat’s Milk Soap for five years at the Farmer’s Market Annex and says that she wouldn’t do it if it weren’t helping others. Fallat receives products wholesale from the Montana based company, which produces lotions, lip balms and tints, bath salts, soaps, shampoo and more. The goats that Windrift use in order to produce their ingredients are “milked two times daily” and the moisturizers “are easily absorbed into the skin” easing dry, irritated skin. If searching for all natural products, the Windrift soaps “contain no preservatives, only natural blended ingredients.”
The lotions (eight ounces, $9.75) soak into your skin rather quickly without leaving a greasy, slippery feeling. The Saturday I was at the Market, I tried the Lively Apricot which smelled delicious, and was very creamy and smooth on my hands. Many of the products range from unscented, to fruits, grains, and herbal scents. The unscented lotion, for example, could be used as a moisturizer on the face as well if one has a dry skin type without irritation.
While going to the Farmers Market Annex to purchase product s from Fallat’s vendor location on the weekend may work for a lot of people, there is also the option of ordering from Fallat and having the orders delivered for free during the week in the Twin Cities metro location for convenience. Something that Fallat also does is put together made to order gift sets. She adds a home touch by having her friends knit a small towel to go in the package with a bar soap (five ounces, $4.90) and are nicely tied together with some string.
For more information visit the Famers Market Annex on the Saturdays and Sundays or contact Georgie:
Georgie Fallat
Phone: 952-890-2047
Email: sierramtns@hotmail.com
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We held our first ever Kids Day on June 26th, and we’re planning another for July 31st ~ but what types of things draw you to the Market? What kind of activities or theme would you like to see?
We’re working on a “Green” themed weekend for August and a Jazz and Steppin’ weekend real soon, but we need some ideas! Comment here or email Audrey@FarmersMarketAnnex.com with your suggestions.
Everything we do is geared towards making the Market a favorite destination for you, a place where you’re comfortable and having a good time, a place for families. Help us make this a great place to spend a weekend morning by giving us your ideas.
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by Michael Stokes
Just a few months after record snowfalls, the Minnesota summer, and with it the Farmers Market, is in full swing. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, men and women forget stressful lives – hours braving thunderstorms and heat waves, office work and road construction – to be revitalized by everything local Minnesota has to offer. Fresh peppers, roma tomatoes, cilantro, and other fresh produce are displayed and ready to enhance local dinner tables. Jewelry and clothing designed and created by Minnesota artists are laid out and ready for prime time. Landscape designers are available to help design the perfect outdoor, urban garden experience. A local smorgasbord conveniently situated for city life, the Market is quite a spectacle.
The reason thousands of people visit is as different as individuals are unique. Nevertheless, the Market’s remarkable ability to bring out the best in people is part of Minnesota culture. Some visit to reap the health benefits of eating fresh produce while others simply come to see friendly faces and experience the familial, community environment. Others intend to reinvigorate local economies by supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers. Still some, wanting to create the perfect home garden or landscape design, come seeking professional advice and expertise. Whatever the reason, the Market has a profound effect on everyone who visits. The season is in full swing, and we invite you into Market life.
One of my earliest memories is helping my grandfather with his gigantic garden. Professionally, he was a home builder, but his hobby has always been gardening. Resting a few hundred feet from the lake is the main plot. Surrounded by a six foot fence, the garden contains tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, corn, cilantro and a variety of lettuce and herbs. Whenever I visit, he assigns me jobs. If I visit memorial day weekend, I till, plant seeds, and pound stakes in the ground for his tomatoes. When I bring friends up to enjoy the lake in July, I end up pulling weeds and spreading mulch. The rewards are worth the effort. The garden produces fresh potato salad made from red potatoes, caprese salad with fresh basil, and homemade salsa.
For an urban, internet savvy guy like me, there’s something deeply satisfying about getting connected to the soil. For a few days each year, my hands get dirty. Playing a part in growing food has a soothing and relaxing effect on me. It’s like a vacation. That connection to the Earth and our food is lost to most of urban America. Life is busy. Who has time to muck around in the dirt? But despite all the benefits of modern life, it seems we’ve lost something significant in our pre-packaged and fast food life styles. That satisfaction (not to mention health benefits) of connected life is what the Market restores. Market life isn’t a fad or a craze. More and more people recognize the health, economic, and psychological benefits of natural, home/locally grown foods. Depression, mental illness, and obesity are all on the rise in the United States. As a response, many have returned to the dirt and the local garden for their food. People are saving money, getting healthy, and experiencing greater psychological satisfaction from investing in natural, local foods.
The farmers market brings people together, promotes healthy living and supports local growers and entrepreneurs by keeping the community strong. The essence of summer is the fresh renewal that it brings. This year come out and see if you don’t get caught up into a new lifestyle. The market is in full swing. Stop by and experience all the market has to offer.
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by Angela Kenney
I vaguely remember going to the farmers market on Saturday mornings with my mom and her best friend when I was younger. Then Saturday morning became time for sleeping in when I became a teenager and I stopped going to this once a week event. Now that I’m an adult living on my own, I have the option of choosing where I purchase food and other essentials that I believe are best for me and my budget ~ and like many young people, I’m beginning to believe that my mom knew a few things after all!
So what is a farmers market? A farmers market is a venue where farmers can sell their locally grown food directly to consumers, bypassing the “middlemen” otherwise known as grocery stores. Farmers markets resemble the food markets found in the streets of many foreign countries, and the Farmers Market Annex is more like a European Bazaar with its myriad of food and other vendors selling merchandise from around the world as well as local, handcrafted products. The atmosphere of a farmers market as described by Los Angeles Farmers Market is “casual” with “open air” so everyone can feel welcome.
Farmers markets are a good way for people, especially city dwellers, to get their hands on fresh foods straight from the farmers every week. Many people already take a weekly or biweekly trip to the grocery store to make their meals, so why not start replacing one of those trips with a trip to a farmers market? It’s a good way to support locally grown food and artists with their locally made products.
At the Farmers Market you’ll also see Market Flowers which carries a large selection of flowers from around the world as well as some purchased from local growers, such as peonies which are in abundance right now. They have a great DIY program which allows you the option of purchasing and arranging your flowers using their design tables and space, and even storing them in their vast coolers until the day of your event. They also have experienced designers if you prefer to let them create your special pieces.
Well that is Farmers Markets 101 and you now have breakdown of what to expect at a farmers market and what is available at an expanded market such as the Farmers Market Annex in Minneapolis. Be sure to check it out this coming Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It’s a good way to get outdoors for summer, perhaps try a new activity or find a new favorite place to shop!
Be sure to keep up-to-date with events by checking the Events Clendar on the Farmers Market Annex Web site and check in on Foursquare when you visit.
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We held our Membership Meeting a short time ago and after seeing a group of our vendors together again I realized just how long winter had been. The first thing we told them was how much they were missed and how we were looking forward to seeing them on the weekends once again. There’s plenty to do in the off-season, we have a thriving holiday tree and greens business, but after Christmas what we lack are people!
We had a loose agenda of items we needed to cover, changes we’ve made and things to make the Market a better place, but as the meeting progressed and they offered one good suggestion after another I kept going back to one thought ~ this is a family. And like a family, although we don’t always agree on the best way to do something, we have the best interest of the group at center of our discussion. What would make the Market a better place for both vendors and their customers?
You see, we have vendors at the Annex who have been here for years, some even longer than Scott, the current owner. They have a wealth of insight and we are grateful that they were willing to take time from their busy schedules to come down and work with us like this. Some of the vendors who couldn’t come had called with well-wishes, a suggestion or two, and the promise to see us soon when we open.
So, when you come to the Market what you see is the end result of many hours of preparation and trial and error as we find what works. It’s a fun place to be and if you allow yourself to see just below the surface, to listen in as you pass vendors chatting with each other, to see the kids hanging out together, to see vendors covering for each other, hopefully you can catch a glimpse of the family behind the scenes.
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“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.” ~ Ralph Marston
We all know excellent service when we are on the receiving end. It stands out to us because we are made to feel special or valued. The person offering the service recognizes his business is built one transaction at a time and that each satisfied customer has the potential to return ~ and tell his friends! We all want the same thing for our businesses, but how do we get there?
It starts with a ’can do’ attitude that says I will go out of my way to get you what you want, by doing what I can without giving away the farm. Then smile, be friendly, and greet each person you make eye contact with. It’s hard NOT to buy from someone like that. Next, determine to carry only top quality goods or goods that a value-minded consumer will find an acceptable substitution. If it’s not the best don’t claim it is; honesty and integrity in the products you carry and the way they are presented is vital.
Lastly, life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it, so refuse to have anything less than a positive attitude!
Recommended books:
Being Happy! by Andrew Matthews
An Enemy Called Average by John Mason
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We hear this all the time: How do I start a business? Like it’s something we can just say do these 4 steps and you’re good.
We also get the related questions: Should I incorporate, form an LLC, or run as a sole proprietor? Do I have to register the name? Do I need a Federal ID number? How do I get a MN Tax ID number? Do I need a special license to operate at the Farmers Market? Where do I get the product to sell? How do I get a space at your Farmers Market?
We’ll start by saying this isn’t meant to be an all-encompassing business education, we’re just going to cover the basics here so please do your research.
You may be wondering who are we to even write on this? Scott Barriball has been in business for over 25 years, has a double major in Accounting and Economics from Macalester College, and has a wealth of empirical knowledge learned the old fashioned way ~ by rolling up his sleeves and just doing it. Audrey is the CFO of Scott’s three companies, has a BSB ~ Accounting degree from the Carlson School of Management and has founded and concurrently run several businesses, some of which have been successful and some not so much, but they’ve all been learning experiences and therefore worthwhile.
Ready? Here goes:
Create a Business Plan
We can’t stress enough how important this step is to your eventual success. It will guide you as you make decisions along the way, keep you focused on what you’re doing and why, and it can help you obtain financing if necessary as you grow. It’s your road map and should cover everything from your mission statement to your plan for dissolution of the company. It will help you determine how to set up your business, who is responsible for what areas, the sweat and capital equity needed, and give you a time line from which to work. We refer you to the MN Secretary of State ~ Starting a Business section of their website for help on creating a business plan.
Choose a Legal Structure and Register your Business with the State of MN
Disclaimer: You should consult an attorney, a CPA, or tax professional to help you determine the best legal structure for your business. The goal is to maximize tax advantages and minimize risk to your personal assets and is probably one of the most important business decisions you’ll make, so take the time to understand your options.
Again, see MN Secretary of State ~ Starting a Business where Step 2 gives information on the seven principle types of available business structures for MN. Scott prefers Limited Liability Companies, or LLC’s, and Audrey prefers Domestic Corporations operating under the Subchapter S rules, but any of the seven types can be the right answer depending on your situation. Unless you’re just going to ‘try’ a business for a short time, get the extra layer of protection afforded by a corporation to shield your personal assets and identity and limit your liability if something goes wrong.
Once you’ve decided, registering your business with the state is easy and can be done online by clicking here but first you’ll want to click here to check the availability of your business name.
Get a Federal ID Number
It’s actually called an Employer Identification Number, or EIN, and unless you’re a sole proprietor or just operating under an assumed name, you’ll need one to open your bank account, apply for licenses, open accounts with your vendors and more ~ you can apply online here. Having an EIN to use instead of your social security number can be important if you are concerned with privacy and identity theft. It’s free to apply and obtain. We request either an EIN or SSN on the vendor applications for our Market.
Get a Minnesota Tax ID Number
If everything you sell is tax exempt you’re probably thinking you skated by this one, right? Not quite. The things your business buys from other states that aren’t taxed at the time of purchase, but which are taxable in MN, incur Use Tax. Since at some point this will probably apply to you, just get the MN Tax ID Number now while you’re getting all set up. At our Market, we must have an Owner Certificate of Compliance (ST-19) on file for all of our vendors.
You can call the MN Department of Revenue (MNDOR) (651) 282-5225 or apply online here.
Are Special Licenses Required to Operate at the Farmers Market?
The city of Minneapolis highly regulates food and has various rules to ensure the public is safe from contamination and food borne illnesses.
Directly from their website, which you should study for yourself, there are three types of Vendors in Minneapolis.
Farmers/Growers are individuals selling products cultivated and harvested on their farm/garden including Meat Processors & Pickle Bill applicants. These farmers are exempt from licensing requirements and fees but have to register with the City.
Market Distributors are individuals selling or reselling prepackaged foods for off-site consumption which do not require food handling in the market. This includes farmers who are reselling produce purchased from a wholesaler.
Market Manufacturers are individuals selling foods for immediate consumption such as sandwiches, hot dogs, coffee and pastries, etc. These vendors prepare their foods either onsite in the market or in a commercially licensed facility.
Vendors should contact the Licensing Department at (612) 673-2080 once their applications are filled out; Katie Lampi and Mohamed Yusef are our contacts there but anyone can help get you started. If you have looked over the website and still have questions you can call Katie and ask, but please do your homework first.
If you’re not selling food, you do not need a special license to operate at our Market.
Where do I get the Product to Sell?
This question weeds out the serious people from the lookers. This is your dream! Your vision. The thing that’s going to get you what you want for your family, right? If you have to ask then you’re probably not ready to make a go of it. This isn’t a technical ‘how to’ question, it’s at the heart of how you run your business so we can’t answer it for you. You have to want it badly enough to do this part on your own.
How do I Get a Space at the Farmers Market Annex?
The advantages of running your business from our Market location include high traffic, low overhead, a commitment level you choose, and great neighbors! On busy summer weekends, the Minneapolis Farmers Market and Farmers Market Annex attract 20,000 – 25,000 people and where else can you get that much exposure for under $150? You can choose to participate for the entire 27 week season, for the 6 weeks of our Spring program, or just an occasional weekend on a space permitting basis.
- Research the different contracts we offer and the different vendor categories we have. Here’s a good overview sheet, and here’s the web page with all our Vendor Information.
- Call Audrey 612-573-0148 to see if we have room in your category.
- Fill out the MN ST-19 form and the Vendor Application and Vendor License Agreement specific to your situation ~ Audrey will help you get the correct forms.
- Turn in originals of the completed paperwork along with your $150 membership fee and required deposit to secure your space.
- Come down to the Market or work with us over the phone to choose the best available space for your product.
We hope this has been helpful to you as you start your business. We plan to continue this Business 101 series with more articles on day to day operations and helpful tips along the way. We’ve heard it said that you should learn from the mistakes of others, you may not live long enough to make them all yourself!
If you have a specific topic you’d like covered, leave a comment and let us know.
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Springtime and the opening of the Farmers Market are just a few weeks off. Like a kid, we redefine a ‘few’ to mean 10 weeks. It’s a long time and no time at all, especially since we have the task of getting it all together. There are special events to plan. Bands and other entertainment to book. Support staff to train. Landscaping and grounds to clean and freshen up. And, most importantly, vendors to find.
The vendors are what makes the Annex so special and we spend a lot of time finding just the right mix. We have long-standing relationships with many of our growers and specialty vendors, and we hesitate to name any for fear of not naming them all ~ they truly are special to us and we highly value them. It’s finding the new ones that presents a fun challenge.
The American Dream used to be a house, a car, a cabin in the woods, and to own your own business. We believe the sense of freedom that evokes is what people still long for and so we encourage them to give their dreams a try.
Entrepreneurs sometimes come to us with a fully operational business and the need for a new market for expansion. More often than not, they come with an idea, a lot of questions, and not much else. They soon realize that business takes time and money and commitment, and if money is an issue then our outdoor Market can provide a great return on investment. Where else can you get your product in front of up to 20,000 people on a busy summer weekend for just a couple hundred dollars?
We’re currently looking for a beef, poultry, and pork farmer who uses sustainable practices, no hormones, and no antibiotics. A full-line bread vendor who uses whole healthy grains and makes bread that is rich in omegas. Craftsmen and Artists of all varieties. Specialty vendors selling, what? You tell us!
We’d like the Annex to be a one-stop shop for healthy locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread, but because we’re a private business we are so much more. We’ve got specialty foods such as aged balsamic vinegars, Wisconsin cheese, Grandpas pesto, cinnamon roasted almonds, roasted coffee beans, Mexican food, pasta and sauce. Come for clothing, accessories, jewelry, pure soap and lotion, essential oils, household goods, hand-crafted wood, and art.
So maybe we’ve struck a chord in you. Or maybe you know someone who is always onto the next big idea, but they haven’t yet put it in action. We have 10 weeks until our opening on Saturday, April 30th; plenty of time to join in on the fun. Don’t waste another year wishing you’d done something about your dreams. Do it now.
Click ‘Contact Us’ at the top of the page and we’ll help you get started.
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Well, it’s happened again. Week after week has flown by. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the 4th of July…now, Labor Day Weekend. The official end of summer. Finito. Done. Gone. Again.
As the market seasons winds to a close my thoughts turn, first and foremost…to how incredibly fast time goes by. Can it possibly be that I’ve stood in this corner and watched this community gather and scatter, weekend after weekend, year after year until more than a decade has passed?
I think of vendors who we’ve lost…who we continue to lose. Like Bonnie, who most of us know as “the T shirt lady”, who passed away this summer early on a Saturday morning at a time when many of us vendors were starting our day at the market. My neighbor Lonnie “Stick Man” who made beautiful furniture all by hand, who one spring didn’t return to the market. A hunting accident took his life over the winter. Gormet who for years brought the best of India to the market, fabrics and jewelry, statues and stones. So many customers, too, who are a part of this place and who, one day, just don’t return.
This market is like our community calender, a technicolor scheduler that reminds us of the passing of time. So in these final weeks of the market (don’t forget, the market runs until the end of October), enjoy this gathering place that brings us all together year after year. Have a little more patience in the parking lot, hug that friend you ran into just a little longer, breather even deeper of the smells of late summer. We all know they’ll be gone too fast.
Jennifer Umolac
Global Vision Imports
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