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 The web site 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 (each Market has their own web page).

• Producer/Stallholder Members to promote their business and produce (each Producer member has their own web page)

• Non-Member Producers/Stallholders are also listed on the market web site with basic information

• 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 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

• providing links to market and producers Social Media sites

1.6 Incorporates practical features for Producers and Markets⯆⯈

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

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

• Offers Marketing administrative listings

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 is now dependent on whether the viewer uses an iPhone or PC. The content is basically the same. These changes DO NOT affect the updating of your web site.

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 and Producer pages are designed to display 'static' information (i.e. the market date and time of opening, where to park, Market and Producer descriptions, 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, start of a new season, new investments etc. Your Social Media and KFMA web sites shouldwork together and be interlinked.

5.1 When do Farmers Markets Open ?⯆⯈

Aimed at Customers (and new Producers). It displays the day and time of all markets on a calendar or in list foemat. 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 Where can I Buy Local produce ?⯆⯈

Aimed at Customers (and new Producers) Markets are displayed on the main map of Kent. Click on the Market name and opening hours will appear.

5.3 'What can I buy at a Farmers Market ?'⯆⯈

Aimed at Customers (and new Producers). Listings display 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

5.4 'EatdrinkKent' magazine⯆⯈

Aimed at increasing footfall at markets and promoting local food Producewrs. The latest 'EatdrinkKent' magazine is displayed. Click the arrow keys to turn the pages. An archive versions will also be available.

5.5 About Us⯆⯈

Aimed at the media and comprises general information about local food production. Displays the number of Farmers Markets and Producers and what they sell. (Note:- The data is based on what category of food was defined per Producer category)

In addition it lists the aims and ambitions of our Farmers Markets

5.6 Local Food In Season⯆⯈

Aimed at customers who are keen to learn more about local produce. It comprises a list of produce and their months of availability .

Click on the product and it will then show you 'how to cook it', 'how to store it' and will also be linked to our recipe library

5.7 Events and News⯆⯈

Aimed at Customers and Producers.This Section lists all the upcoming Market Events and News

5.8 Social Media and Local food⯆⯈

Aimed at KFMA readers. Your 'X Feed' (formerly Twitter) and Facebook links (copy Steve@tonbridgefarmersmarket.co.uk)

5.9 Membership, Advice & Guidance⯆⯈

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

5.10 The Market web Site⯆⯈

Aimed at Customers and new producers. Click on the 'Markets' list and choose a Market. The Market web site is designed to promote their Market (and to promote Markets to Producers looking for other Markets to attend)

The market web page comprises:-

• Market Banner picture

• Market Reminder and Newsletter form (to be completed by customers)

• When and Where the market takes place

• Local Map

• Market Contacts and Social media links

• Market Description

• What you can Buy at the Market

• Listing of Stallholders comprises a list of all Stallholders. members are listed first. By clicking on MORE you are linked to that Member's page)

• Market Events

• Local News

• Local Places to Visit

5.11 Producer's Web Page⯆⯈

5.11.1 Producers listing⯆⯈

All Producers attending a specific market will be listed on the Market page. The listing gives a brief description, together with '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.

(Note Please remind the market Manager to add you to the list )

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 i.e. have Laura set up your site and then you can amend See Appendices C and D. Note Producers web information is copied to all markets they attend, so 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

5.12 Information held on the Producer web page⯆⯈

• Banner Picture

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

• Where to buy

This section displays all the Farmers Markets this Producer attends.

• Your Contact and social media details. Use your 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.

• Background

This tells your story, your skills, your USP ! (Unique Selling Points)

• Produce

Explain your produce range (it should be made appealing to customers, NOT a long list)

14.7 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!)