1.1. Purpose⯆⯈

Kent Famers Market Association (KFMA) web site was our first joint project and was created to promote Farmers Markets and Producers as well as to offer Advice and Guidance. In 2022 the web site was visited over 80,000 times by over 60,000 viewers (we also assume that these viewers already have an interest in finding more about local food).

1.2 Offers support for Customers, Markets and Producers⯆⯈

It provides for:-

• Customers wanting to find retail outlets selling locally grown produce with with a Calendar, Map and Market information including

opening/closing times, direction and parking information, plus produce sold at the market as well as the local attractions close by.

• Market Managers to help promote their stallholders and the attractions of their market

• Producer/Stallholder Members to promote their business and produce

• Non Member Producers/Stallholders are also listed on the market web site

• Administration information for markets

1.3 Offers 'Advice and Guidance' for Market Managers and Producers⯆⯈

It provides guidance on -

• starting up a market and a food retail businesses

• building up both markets and businesses (including Food Regulations)

• ideas as to how to grow markets and food businesses .

1.4 Offers help to potential new customers⯆⯈

By:-

• enabling them to find markets closest to their location

• enabling them to set up their own 'Reminder' email to inform them of the date of the next market

• offering information regarding 'what's in season'

• offering ideas as to 'how to cook and store' local food

1.5 Promotes Markets and Producers⯆⯈

By:-

• displaying pictures and information about their businesses

• promoting special Market Events

• linking markets and produce to customers via Social Media

1.6 Incorporates practical features for Producers and Markets⯆⯈

• Link Producers with Markets

• maintaining a list of stallholders looking for markets' and 'Markets looking for stallholders'

• reduce costs by maintaining a list of suppliers selling relevant products at a discount

• Administration of your market information

3.1 Design Concept⯆⯈

The KFMA web site was originally developed for a PC environment. By 2022 more viewers were using iPhones to access the web site than PC's and lap tops together. Consequently we decided to up-graded the web site so the screen design became dependent on whether the viewer uses an iPhone or PC. The content is basically the same.

Note:- By the use of attractive images, map and local knowledge you are able to make your Market and Producer web pages stand out and promote both the location and the market.

3.2 Operational Concept⯆⯈

The Market page is designed to display 'static' information (i.e. the market date and time of opening, where to park, general market description, social media links etc) . We suggest you use your Social media sites to offer potential customers a less formal approach i.e. informing them what;s happening at your next market. Your Social Media and web sites should be interlinked

3.3 Events/News⯆⯈

The website enables you to promote any future special 'Events' ,This information is controlled by a start and end date and is highlighted on the KFMA Home page as well as on your Market page until the end date is reached and then your Event disappears. You can also use this facility in combination with closed markets if you weather forces you to close the market.

3.4 Additional Markets, closed markets⯆⯈

The system enables you to add additional markets (e.g. at Christmas) and to close your markets for a period.

5.1 Month and List format⯆⯈

On a PC you can choose to see all the market displayed in either Calendar or List formats. If you are viewing this page on an iPhone it will be in List mode only. Click on a Market and you will be taken to the Market page. Today's date will be highlighted in green. Any special (i.e. Special) markets) will be highlighted in red

5.2 Other features⯆⯈

Click on the either future or past months to see the following months or previous months.

5.3 How to set the date formula (within the Market 'Administration' section)⯆⯈

Setting the frequency of your market

99% of markets run on a formula eg first Saturday of the month, or every Tuesday, the formulas have been designed to accommodate (almost) every possibility. Set the day, week and month as follows:-

Day(s)

Sun Mon Tue Wed etc Tick the day of the week

Week(s)

1st 2nd 3d 4th Last Alternate weeks (odd) Alternate weeks (even) Tick the week etc

Month(s)

Month Tick the month or all months

5.4 Closing and Re-opening your Market⯆⯈

You may wish to close the market for a period (e.g. over Christmas or holidays). This enables you to control the calendar on the market page)

Closing date

[dd/mm/yyyy] Insert the date after the last market

Re-start date

[dd/mm/yyyy] Insert the date before the next market

5.5 Add a a 'Special' market⯆⯈

This enables you to set up a one off market date (i.e. not following the formula) multiple times

[dd/mm/yyyy] Insert the date

[00/00] Insert opening and closing times

[Headline] Insert any special name for the market

[ Details] Insert a description of the market

6.1 Market Location⯆⯈

The Market is displayed both on the main map of Kent and on a local map on the Market page. The Market's post code is used to locate the market on the map. However, as post codes can cover a fairly large area, it is possible to 'drag' the 'Market pin' to the correct location. We will try to avoid the 'market pin', which is displayed on the map of Kent, from blocking out any relevant location names on the map. Please ask us to move the Market Pin locator if you feel it is in a misleading location.

Click on the Market name on the map of Kent and a box with opening hours will appear

6.2 Type of Market⯆⯈

The 'pin' symbol indicates the type of market i.e.

'apple' = Farmers Market;

'Trug' = Local Food and Craft market;

Marquee and flag = Food Festival

6.3 Other features⯆⯈

• Click on 'Markets near Me' and a list of Markets of Markets will appear showing the distance from your location. (Note: This changes depending on your location when using an iPhone, but on a PC it displays the markets close to Post code built into your PC)

• Click on the [ ] symbol (top right) and a full screen map view will appear. Press Esc to return

• Drag the 'Peg man' symbol (bottom right) on to the map and a street map will appear

7.1 This listing enables you to see what is sold at either specific Farmers Market or what is sold in all our Farmers Markets.⯆⯈

Click on the Stallholder name to find more specific stallholder information

8.1 Magazine⯆⯈

The latest 'EatdrinkKent' magazine is displayed. Click the arrow keys to turn the pages. An archive versions will also be available.

9.1 Statistics⯆⯈

This section comprises information about local food production and Farmers Markets and displays the number of Producers and what they sell. The data is based on what was defined on Market pages

9.2. Objectives⯆⯈

This lists the aims and ambitions of our Farmers Markets

10.1 Produce⯆⯈

The site will comprise a complete list of different types of produce. It will be divided by type of produce (Fish, vegetable, root vegetable, meat, Fish, Game and Fruit) and displayed alphabetically within season and type. The months of availability is displayed as well as a picture of the produce.Scroll down and a seasonal summary in graphical format is displayed

10.2 How to Cook/How to store⯆⯈

Choose the produce of interest click on the item it will then show you how to cook it and how to store it.

10.3 Recipes⯆⯈

This section will link 'Local food in Season' to our recipe library

11.1 Events⯆⯈

The Events box will list all the upcoming Market (and other) Events in alpha date sequence. Once the end date isa reached the Event will disappear from view. The Event will also be displayed on the Market web site

11.2 News⯆⯈

Click on News and this is treated in the same way

12.1Twitter⯆⯈

The existing twitter feeds will continue to be listed here

12.2 Facebook⯆⯈

We have also expanded the display to include Facebook entries

12.3 Expanding local impact through social media⯆⯈

Encourage Producers to 'tag' your Market Facebook/twitter account e.g. if one of your Market Producers adds a post of produce that is available at the market, they should also tag your market. Your social media handler then likes, comments or shares the post to increase engagement.

Eventually this builds up and your S M 'handler' creates a social media page that promotes local products and produce , in effect becomes a hub for local “foodies” to find regular, new and creative events and food.

13.1 Membership⯆⯈

This section informs you how to become either a Market or Producer Member

13.2 Advice and Guidance for Managers⯆⯈

13.3 Advice and Guidance for Producers/Stallholders⯆⯈

14.1 Market page⯆⯈

The Market web site is designed to enable you to promote your Market to the general public and to Producers looking for other Markets to attend

• The site provides links to existing and potential new customers via your Social Media pages. As long as your social media notifications link back to your web page (which holds 'static' market and Producer information)

• It avoids the cost of creating and maintaining your own web site

• It gives your business more credibility and makes your business look professional

• It includes a section describing your 'story' and a section on your Products.

You can either request laura@kfma.org.uk to update your site for you or log into the system and complete your own web site. You can do both i.e. have Laura set up your site and then you can amend it.

:- See Appendices A and B to create an email listing of your changes

14.1 Banner picture⯆⯈

Your web site comprise one, two or three banner pictures in a row (they are sized automatically to fit the space available. For maximum impact we would recommend one, possibly two images which give customers a welcoming impression of your market

14.2 Market Reminder and Newsletter indicator⯆⯈

Customers can click on this tab to create a 'Reminder' for themselves 'n' number of days before the next market. This not only acts as a market reminder but customers can request to have a copy of your Market newsletter and marketing information or NOT.

14.3 When and Where⯆⯈

This displays when your next market takes place and where

14.4 Local Map⯆⯈

A local map is displayed. Note:- The Market Post Code is used to create the approximate location of the market. In order to move the 'Market Pin' to the correct location please advise laura@kfma.org.uk of the exact location and she will 'drag' the pin to that location.

14.5 Contacts and Social media links⯆⯈

Market Manager tel and email address plus the market social media links

14.6 Market Description⯆⯈

A short description of your market This should be aimed to tempt new shoppers to visit your market

14.7 What you can Buy⯆⯈

This is a list of all the produce sold by your stallholders

14.8 Stallholders⯆⯈

A Stallholder list (Producer Members are listed first) with a link to their web pages, followed by a brief (2 line) description of non members

14.8 Events⯆⯈

This is a copy of the Events information displayed on the Home Pgae

14.9 Local News⯆⯈

Any information you think visitors will be interested in

14.10 Places to Visit⯆⯈

Insert local places to visit including web links to relevant web sites plus places to eat and drink

15.1 Producer Listing⯆⯈

All Producers attending a specific market should be listed on the Market page. The listing gives a brief description, together with their 'Scores on the doors' Producer Members are displayed first with a link to their Web pages, followed by a 2 line description of non members..

You can either request laura@kfma.org.uk to update your site for you or log into the system and complete your own web site you can do both i.e. have Laura set up your site and then you can amend See Appendices C and D. Note As the Producers web information is copied to all markets they attend, it is not possible for Managers to amend Producer information (please contact Laura@Kfma.org.uk if their are errors/amendments that should be made)

14.2 Banner Picture

The Members web site comprises one, two or three banner pictures (they are sized automatically to fit the space available)

15.2 Where to buy⯆⯈

This section displays all the Farmers Markets this Producer attends.

15.3 Contact and social media details⯆⯈

Contact details of the Member and any social media links. Producers should use their own social media accounts to promote what’s happening now e.g. what’s available, special offers etc. Make sure your social media posts link back to the kfma web site (the link is the 'hhtps' values found on the very top line every web page).

Note There are no contact links for non members.

15.4 Background⯆⯈

This tells the Producer's story, their skills, their USP ! (Unique Selling Points)

15.6 Produce⯆⯈

Explain their produce range (it should be made appealing to customers)

15.7 Produce images⯆⯈

Producer's pictures can be added at the bottom of their web page. Customers 'buy with their eyes' pictures should be used to persuade customers to buy (e.g. pictures of the Producer's farm, plates of the finished products i.e. they are far more appealing than cuts wrapped in plastic!)

G.1 Linking with other organisations.⯆⯈

Local News and Links enable you also to add links to other local web sites (e.g. Parish, council websites and tourist information plus links with other popular local websites (e.g. Mums networks)) and request them to do the same for you.

G.2 Images.⯆⯈

Use a few but really interesting pictures of the market which will attract customers (too many pictures become boring and forgettable). It is a good idea to change them seasonally to keep interest

G.3 'Events'⯆⯈

You can promote special 'Events' (e.g. a Christmas Market' ) and they will be displayed on the Web site Home page and on your individual market page. They are date related and will start and end according to the dates you allocate . Inform Laura@kfma.org.uk of the date and event description.

G.4 'Extra markets'⯆⯈

You can also create extra markets (i.e. not conforming to your normal formula). These will be highlighted on the Calendar. You could also add them as an Event

G.5. 'Closing and re-opening your market'.⯆⯈

This is especially important for December and January, when you want to inform customers that your market will be closed for Christmas and say early January. Again inform Laura@kfma.org.uk.