What happens when a small group of neighbors with big dreams for their community comes together? In 2019 for the Madison South, Roseway, and Sumner neighborhoods, it was the birth of the Rocky Butte Farmers Market. What started in 2017 with a half dozen steering committee members is becoming a community anchored non profit organization, delighting thousands of market goers, attracting a diverse mix of vendors, and engaging hundreds of individual volunteers, community based organizations and local businesses.
Pop Up Markets
In 2019 an innovative “Pop Up Market” strategy was launched. With the help of site host Dharma Rain Zen Center, the RBFM held two markets at the peak of the summer season. Almost 2000 attendees, counted by volunteers, biked, walked and carpooled to the market to purchase fresh, seasonal produce, pastured meat and eggs, and artisan crafts from more than 20 different vendors.
Getting the Word Out
With an all-volunteer group of organizers, the RBFM relies heavily on community volunteers and local businesses for publicity. Dozens of individual volunteers stepped up to pass out fliers advertising Pop Up Markets. Local businesses added posters and postcards to their windows, and generated gift certificates as prizes for market goers who filled out our feedback surveys. Thanks to our volunteers and participating businesses, the RBFM Pop Up Markets exceeded our expectations.
Attracting Repeat Customers
RBFM surveyed market attendees and vendors to learn what they liked and did not like about the market. Today, we are incorporating that feedback into the design of future markets.
What’s Next?
The RBFM’s 2020 priorities are:
- Finding a site. Dharma Rain Zen Center is not available to us in 2020.
- Landing a schedule for a regularly recurring market.
- Raising capital to support hiring a part time market manager.
Pop Up Markets
In 2019 an innovative “Pop Up Market” strategy was launched. With the help of site host Dharma Rain Zen Center, the RBFM held two markets at the peak of the summer season. Almost 2000 attendees, counted by volunteers, biked, walked and carpooled to the market to purchase fresh, seasonal produce, pastured meat and eggs, and artisan crafts from more than 20 different vendors.
Getting the Word Out
With an all-volunteer group of organizers, the RBFM relies heavily on community volunteers and local businesses for publicity. Dozens of individual volunteers stepped up to pass out fliers advertising Pop Up Markets. Local businesses added posters and postcards to their windows, and generated gift certificates as prizes for market goers who filled out our feedback surveys. Thanks to our volunteers and participating businesses, the RBFM Pop Up Markets exceeded our expectations.
Attracting Repeat Customers
RBFM surveyed market attendees and vendors to learn what they liked and did not like about the market. Today, we are incorporating that feedback into the design of future markets.
What’s Next?
The RBFM’s 2020 priorities are:
- Finding a site. Dharma Rain Zen Center is not available to us in 2020.
- Landing a schedule for a regularly recurring market.
- Raising capital to support hiring a part time market manager.