How to set up a Scottish Farmers' Market

A very warm welcome to the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets website.

The definition of a Scottish Farmers' Market is a market in which farmers; growers and producers from throughout Scotland sell their produce direct to the public. All foods/products sold should have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked, or made/prepared by the producer.

Below are we hope, some helpful guidelines of what is required to set up a Farmers' Market. If your organisation joins the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets amongst the benefits you will receive is free inclusion on the website and also free advertising with your own text and images to promote your market and articles on the news page whenever you wish. Good Luck

Market Organisers Checklist - Setting up a Market

Service/Agency Area of advice/ legal requirements and good practice

• Food Standard Agency
  Food Safety Guide for Farmers Markets in Scotland
  Download this important document: -
  http://www.food.gov.uk/scotland/regsscotland/regsguidscot/revisedfarmersmarketguide

• Local Authority Environmental Health
  Food Safety, food labelling and composition. private water supply.

• Local Authority Trading Standards
  Weights & measures, pricing, Animal health

• Local Authority Legal services
  Street traders licence, market organisers licence, liquor licence, game dealers licence.

• Local Authority Planning
  Planning consent for siting farmers’ markets at a particular location.

• Local Authority Roads
  Traffic management- in conjunction with the local police. Parking of trader’s vehicles.

• Local Authority Cleaning and Waste collection
  Maintenance of venue and arrangements for disposal of waste.

• Police
  Traffic management, crime prevention.

• Fire Brigade
  Fire safety requirements.

• Meat Hygiene Service
  Licensing of Slaughterhouses & meat cutting plants.

• Scottish Water
  Mains water supply.

• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Requirements and advice on disposal of waste and waste management

• Scottish Power
  Electric power supply, mains or generator.

• Hire Companies
  Hire of generators/ Toilets etc (Cables and fitting should comply with outdoor use).

• Insurance Company/ Broker
  Public Liability insurance, a risk assessment will be required.

• Suitable Stalls
  Member markets should try to have stalls in the same design of the Scottish Farmers Markets, there are a number of companies currently manufacturing these and our advice is that you contact SAFM organisers for their advice.

Please Note that in some local authorities, responsibilities will differ to those above.

Market Day Checklist & Tips

• Condition and suitability of site.

• Appropriate siting of stalls; try to vary the positioning of producers regularly. Market should have easy of access with nearby public parking.

• Electric supply, cables should be sited carefully and comply with safety regulations.

• Marshalling, market organisers helpers should have vests or arm bands that are clearly visible to both traders and public. Marshalling is important to prevent congestion at the beginning and end of the market.

• Traders using electrical equipment should supply valid electrical certificates.

• Traders to supply food training and hygiene certificates.

• Traders to supply public Liability Insurance certificates

• Traders have the responsibility to ensure that their facilities at the market are sufficient to ensure the safety of their products.

• Mains water available and easily accessible.

• Hand wash facility available (Traders should supply their own soap and paper towels).

• Waste Collection arranged (traders should be advised to remove their own rubbish and leave their site clean & tidy)

• Toilets should be carefully positioned and directional signs clearly visible.

• Organisers must keep their stalls clean and in good state of repair at all times

• Good publicity is essential prior to the market day and for future markets and events. Members of SAFM should make full us of their free website inclusion and advertising.

• Any music should be kept at low vilume so as not to upset local residents and traders should not be allowed to use amplifying equipment or shout to encourage custom.

• The market manager should be onsite at all times.