□ Define the Market’s Purpose

• Why does the market exist?

• Who will it serve (vendors, customers, community groups)?

□ Establish a Leadership Structure

• Market Director

• Advisory Board or Steering Committee

• Key roles: finance, marketing, vendor relations, operations

□ Conduct a Needs Assessment

• Community demand

• Vendor interest

• Competing or complementary markets

• Local demographics

□ Select a Market Name & Brand Identity

• Align with mission

• Ensure name is unique and available

• Begin simple brand development (logo, color palette)

□ Choose a Strategic Location

Evaluate:

• Visibility

• Foot traffic

• Access & parking

• Shade and weather concerns

• Proximity to restrooms

• ADA accessibility

• Public transportation access

□ Secure Permits & Approvals

• City/municipal approval

• Landowner or property agreements

• Zoning confirmation

• Insurance liability coverage

□ Plan Market Layout

• Vendor booth arrangement

• Customer flow

• Signage and entry points

• Music / community areas

• Food trucks & hot food vendors

• Waste disposal & recycling

□ Create Vendor Guidelines

Include:

• Product categories allowed

• Pricing expectations

• Presentation standards

• Compliance requirements

• Code of conduct

□ Set Vendor Fees

• Daily booth fees

• Seasonal rates

• Discounts (early sign-up, low-income producers, etc.)

□ Recruit Diverse Vendors

• Produce growers

• Artisans

• Bakers

• Prepared foods

• Specialty items

• Nonprofit partners

• Youth entrepreneurs

□ Establish a Vendor Application Process

• Online forms

• Selection criteria

• Review timeline

• Communication templates

□ Verify Vendor Compliance

• Food handling permits

• Cottage food laws

• Organic certifications

• Scales & measurement compliance

□ Market Safety Plan

• Emergency procedures

• First aid kit

• Security plan

• Weather protocols

• Parking & traffic control

□ Accessibility & Inclusion Audit

• ADA pathways

• Multilingual signage (optional)

• Family-friendly spaces

□ Create a Market-Day Operating Manual

Include:

• Setup & teardown procedures

• Signage placement

• Booth assignments

• Cash/token systems

• Volunteer instructions

• Incident reporting forms

□ Establish a Payment Infrastructure

• SNAP / EBT acceptance

• Token or voucher system

• Credit card options

• Vendor cash-handling guidelines

□ Build a Volunteer Team

• Greeters

• Information booth staff

• Setup/teardown crew

• Market ambassadors

□ Build Your Marketing Strategy

• Logo & branding

• Market signage

• Email newsletter

• Social media accounts

• Photography of vendors/products

□ Launch Community Partnerships

• Schools

• Libraries

• Health clinics

• Local artists & musicians

• Tourism boards

• Community gardens

□ Plan Launch-Day Event

• Ribbon-cutting

• Chef demos

• Music

• Kids’ activities

• Community leader presence

□ Develop a First-Year Budget

• Revenue (vendor fees, sponsors, grants)

• Expenses (staff, rentals, marketing, insurance)

□ Explore Funding Sources

• Local business sponsorships

• Grants

• In-kind donations

• Partnerships with city/county agencies

□ Create a Market Sustainability Plan

• Yearly growth goals

• Vendor retention strategy

• Community engagement strategy

• Annual evaluation & improvement process

Through our MarketLink Global Initiative, your market can become part of a worldwide effort to strengthen farmers markets in developing regions.
Consider:

• Becoming a “Sister Market”

• Hosting cultural exchange events

• Donating a percentage of vendor fees

• Sharing best practices internationally