New Zealand Farmers Markets leading the world

American market pioneer lauds New Zealand approach.

The third national Farmers' Market New Zealand conference concluded on Tuesday at the Waikato Institute of Technology in Hamilton, with keynote speaker Bernadine Prince telling delegates that, “You have the opportunity to lead the world in the way you are managing your farmers' markets. Your administration and enthusiasm are as impressive as your produce, and I have seen so much innovation since my first visit here (in 2006) – you have become an example to farmers markets the world over.”

Prince, known internationally as "the Queen of farmers' markets", was at the centre of market publicity in the United States earlier this year when her organisation, FreshFarm Markets, opened a farmers' market at the White House, with First Lady Michelle Obama launching the project. One of the co-founders of FreshFarm Markets and currently its co-director and treasurer/secretary, she is responsible for the administration of six producer-only markets in Washington DC and the neighbouring state of Maryland.

She was joined amongst the headline speakers at the conference by FARMA UK's managing agent Gareth Jones, who gave an insight into the gathering of market data to improve individual farmer's retail performance.

Established in 2005, Farmers' Markets New Zealand has 50 member markets throughout the country, representing over 1000 small to medium-sized food businesses and 50,000 weekly customers.

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