Does the farmer want a market? Factors impacting on participation by local producers in farmers markets

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study which aimed to investigate the barriers to participation in farmers' markets by the wider farming community in South Australia (SA) with a particular focus on small-to-medium-sized primary producers. While the experiences and motivations of farmers participating in markets outside Australia have been studied, there has been very little research conducted in Australia or internationally on raw food producers who remain outside the farmers' market community. Both descriptive and multivariate analysis has been undertaken in an effort to rank and summarise the factors which inhibit participation by producers in farmers' markets. Six key dimensions are identified as underlying the survey results and these are used to group producers into three clusters. Finally differences between farmers within each cluster groups are identified.

Exploring producers' motivations and challenges within a farmers' market

“…Brown's (2002) findings support the proposition that larger producers tend to see the economics of FMs as adverse. On the other hand, her findings contradict Kupke and Page's (2015) proposition regarding part-time producers' participation in FMs. Her findings suggest that many FMs' producers are part-time producers with additional occupations and household incomes (Brown, 2002).…”

“…On the other hand, the desire to establish social connections, with consumers and other producers, and protecting the environment are also recognised by some producers (Migliore et al, 2015). Kupke and Page (2015) suggest that producers' attitudes towards engaging in FMs reflect their personal circumstances. They further propose that larger and part-time producers are less motivated to engage in FMs.…”

Do geographical indications encourage local production?

“…In Turkey, in areas not suitable for industrial development but open to improvement of their agricultural economy, increasing the production of local foods is a good opportunity for the local economy. It has been shown that production of local products by small businesses without the need for extensive technology is extremely effective in protecting rural areas, promoting sustainable agriculture, and responding to consumers' growing interest in healthy natural food products (Kupke & Page, 2015;Zhao et al 2015).…”

Bridging Gaps: A Framework for Developing Regional Food Systems

“…However, farmers also face barriers moving in this direction (Mount, 2012). In Southern Australia, Kupke and Page (2015) concluded that farmers are "time poor and spending precious weekends behind a stall does not hold much attraction" (p. 73). Kupke and Page (2015) also comment on the lack of management and staff, and issues around transport and transport costs associated with accessing the market.…”

“…In Southern Australia, Kupke and Page (2015) concluded that farmers are "time poor and spending precious weekends behind a stall does not hold much attraction" (p. 73). Kupke and Page (2015) also comment on the lack of management and staff, and issues around transport and transport costs associated with accessing the market. Moving forward, Guptill and Wilkins (2002) and Abatekassa and Peterson (2011) suggest that more attention needs to be focused at the retail end of the conventional food supply chain.…”