It has been awhile since I have posted a blog. But in juggling my teaching job with our farm and my family things tend to be hectic this time of year.
We started the market on Saturday at Moorestown. We had a good day but sales were off compared to past markets. I attribute this to the ecomony, novelty of farmer's markets wearing off for most so that only the people who have committed are coming and an oversaturation of farmers markets in the area.
Luckily, our sales are now generated by return business. I saw very few new shoppers at our table on Saturday. This is good and not good. The good part is that we are strong enough to continue every week to do well. The bad part is that opportunities for new customers has shrinken to the point that could hurt us in the future. Just looking at the demographics of our customer base there it is older people who are settled and look forward to shopping at the market every week. The younger families are not showing up like they did in the past and this will be problem if it continues in the future.
Our CSA also kicked off last week. It was nice to see our returning customers and to meet new people who are trying us for the first time. Our building has been spruced up and we continue to update it so that when people come to pick up their stuff it is fresh and convenient for their perusal. It was nice to see Deb and Bob back from their European jaunt. Looking forward to hearing Deb's food tales every week.
We did have a bump in the road but we were able to overcome it. Virtua Hospital System had agreed to let us use their facility in Voorhees for a market and CSA pickup. But with a week to go before opening, I was told by administration that they have a no solicitation policy that their legal department wanted them to enforce. It was unfortunate and I think politics paid a part in their decision but we moved on. Due to the decision, however, we almost lost CSA customers. Some adjustments had to be made to the program to keep them on board and we were able to do that.
Things are growing well in the fields. The warm weather continues to push things along at a rapid pace. Our spinach is winding down for the spring because of this. Rain, which did not appear until recently, has become almost a weekly event. No problem here with that for now but come August I would love to see it dry so I can irrigate and stop cutting my grass every week!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Opening week thoughts
It has been awhile since I have posted a blog. But in juggling my teaching job with our farm and my family things tend to be hectic this time of year.
We started the market on Saturday at Moorestown. We had a good day but sales were off compared to past markets. I attribute this to the ecomony, novelty of farmer's markets wearing off for most so that only the people who have committed are coming and an oversaturation of farmers markets in the area.
Luckily, our sales are now generated by return business. I saw very few new shoppers at our table on Saturday. This is good and not good. The good part is that we are strong enough to continue every week to do well. The bad part is that opportunities for new customers has shrinken to the point that could hurt us in the future. Just looking at the demographics of our customer base there it is older people who are settled and look forward to shopping at the market every week. The younger families are not showing up like they did in the past and this will be problem if it continues in the future.
Our CSA also kicked off last week. It was nice to see our returning customers and to meet new people who are trying us for the first time. Our building has been spruced up and we continue to update it so that when people come to pick up their stuff it is fresh and convenient for their perusal. It was nice to see Deb and Bob back from their European jaunt. Looking forward to hearing Deb's food tales every week.
We did have a bump in the road but we were able to overcome it. Virtua Hospital System had agreed to let us use their facility in Voorhees for a market and CSA pickup. But with a week to go before opening, I was told by administration that they have a no solicitation policy that their legal department wanted them to enforce. It was unfortunate and I think politics paid a part in their decision but we moved on. Due to the decision, however, we almost lost CSA customers. Some adjustments had to be made to the program to keep them on board and we were able to do that.
Things are growing well in the fields. The warm weather continues to push things along at a rapid pace. Our spinach is winding down for the spring because of this. Rain, which did not appear until recently, has become almost a weekly event. No problem here with that for now but come August I would love to see it dry so I can irrigate and stop cutting my grass every week!
We started the market on Saturday at Moorestown. We had a good day but sales were off compared to past markets. I attribute this to the ecomony, novelty of farmer's markets wearing off for most so that only the people who have committed are coming and an oversaturation of farmers markets in the area.
Luckily, our sales are now generated by return business. I saw very few new shoppers at our table on Saturday. This is good and not good. The good part is that we are strong enough to continue every week to do well. The bad part is that opportunities for new customers has shrinken to the point that could hurt us in the future. Just looking at the demographics of our customer base there it is older people who are settled and look forward to shopping at the market every week. The younger families are not showing up like they did in the past and this will be problem if it continues in the future.
Our CSA also kicked off last week. It was nice to see our returning customers and to meet new people who are trying us for the first time. Our building has been spruced up and we continue to update it so that when people come to pick up their stuff it is fresh and convenient for their perusal. It was nice to see Deb and Bob back from their European jaunt. Looking forward to hearing Deb's food tales every week.
We did have a bump in the road but we were able to overcome it. Virtua Hospital System had agreed to let us use their facility in Voorhees for a market and CSA pickup. But with a week to go before opening, I was told by administration that they have a no solicitation policy that their legal department wanted them to enforce. It was unfortunate and I think politics paid a part in their decision but we moved on. Due to the decision, however, we almost lost CSA customers. Some adjustments had to be made to the program to keep them on board and we were able to do that.
Things are growing well in the fields. The warm weather continues to push things along at a rapid pace. Our spinach is winding down for the spring because of this. Rain, which did not appear until recently, has become almost a weekly event. No problem here with that for now but come August I would love to see it dry so I can irrigate and stop cutting my grass every week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)