What is a Farmers' Market?

An Authentic Farmers’ Market is defined as one which consists of at least 80% certified local stall holders and governed by accepted practices of farmers’ markets as per the FMNZ charter. That is, a Farmers’ Market is full of locally grown and sourced food which is being sold by the producer, from a defined region.  

A certified local stall holder is defined as a stall from which a primary producer sells fresh, local produce they have grown or farmed themselves.  In addition, a stall holder may sell value added products made from their own or other local produce sourced from the defined region of the market.

An approved local stall holder is the other 20% - a stall holder that cannot become a certified local stall holder due to the nature of their wares, but makes every effort to be as local as possible.  For example, a bread maker in Auckland cannot source flour grown locally, so they cannot become a Certified Local Stallholder.  However, if they source New Zealand grown and milled flour rather than Australian, they qualify as an approved stall holder.  Another common example is coffee.  Coffee beans do not grow in most of New Zealand and certainly not in the quantities required.  If the coffee seller just sells coffee from outside of his region he is not an Approved Local Stallholder.  However, if the coffee seller roasts his own coffee beans, or buys locally roasted coffee beans then he can qualify as an Approved Local Stallholder.

The aims of the Farmers' Market New Zealand Association are to:

• Assist existing and future Farmers’ Markets in developing a viable and self-sufficient operation by providing appropriate resources, as well as supporting and mentoring local farmers’ markets and their managers.
• Facilitate excellent communication between markets and encourage sharing of knowledge and information.
• Protect the Farmers’ Market brand, and brand values of authenticity, local, and fresh food produce, and clearly define the concept of an authentic Farmers’ Market and facilitate the development of this model in the cities and provinces of New Zealand.
• Advocate on behalf of members at a national level

Three Basic Rules

1. A Farmers' Market is an edible market (no arts, craft, bric-a-brac)
2. A Farmers' Market sells edible goods produced within a defined region ( EG: 100 or 200 KM radius from the market place - not from Australia or China)
3. A Farmers' Market sells edible goods produced within a defined region, sold by the producer, or somebody involved in the production (No middle men, wholesalers, retailers, etc... )