Farmers’ Market Success: A Vendor’s Toolkit

New and experienced farmers’ market vendors – develop your skills for successful sales in an engaging workshop with the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network and Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA)!

We’ll meet at MidCity Kitchen, home of one of the Twin Cities’ newest farmers’ markets and shared commercial kitchen. Sina War from MFMA will guide participants through practical tools and tips for:

• Analyzing markets to find your best fit
• Packing and tracking sales efficiently
• Creating an attractive and functional display
• Managing social media
• Maintaining good market relationships
• …and more!

Whether you’re a grower or sell value-added products, this workshop is a great opportunity to build your skills and connect with peers. We’ll end our time together with a tour of the kitchen and farmers’ market, which MidCity Kitchen hosts weekly right in their parking lot. Participants will receive $5 vouchers to shop after the tour!

Registration: This event is free to attend. Advance registration requested, walkups welcome.

Agenda:
2pm – 4pm: Workshop
4pm-4:30pm: Tour of kitchen and farmers’ market

About the speaker: Sina War is a distinguished advocate for Minnesota’s local food systems, with extensive experience as the former Market Manager and Director of Programs & Partnerships at the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market. She excels in enhancing food access, community engagement, and effective communication, having played a pivotal role in overseeing Minnesota’s largest farmers’ market and promoting local, sustainable food.

Currently serving as the Engagement & Inclusion Director at the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA), Sina supports farmers’ markets, food hubs, and small-scale farmers by forging creative partnerships that embrace diverse communities. Her responsibilities include raising consumer awareness, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for sustainable and equitable food systems.

Sina’s professional expertise in public policy, education, and marketing has established her as a leading figure in championing farmers’ markets statewide and nationally. Beyond her career, Sina is passionate about sharing the flavors of her Cambodian culture. This passion led her to create Twin Tiger Brand, with Sinaracha hot sauce as its inaugural product, crafted from locally grown organic red jalapeno peppers. She envisions Twin Tiger Farm & Garden as a hub for culturally significant produce, fostering community connection and culinary inspiration. With plots in Nerstrand, Minnesota, and the Twin Cities, Twin Tiger Farms & Gardens stands as a testament to food’s power to unite cultures and create a legacy of culinary diversity.

Parking: Attendees should park on the street, since the Farmers’ Market will be setting up in the parking lot when you arrive. We ask that we keep the front of the building clear for vendors to load in and out and food trucks can park.

Entering the Space: Walk through the parking lot and find a set of stairs leading to upper level deck with the MidCity Sign above it. The entrance is the second door and will be open to welcome everyone into the building.

Accessibility: The meeting room for the presentation is not wheel-chair accessible. The farmers’ market tour can accommodate wheel-chairs. For other accessibility needs, please contact Lia Spaniolo at spaniolo@umn.edu or  612-596-2126.

Address: MidCity Kitchen, 693 Raymond Ave. St. Paul, MN 55114

SFA staff and volunteers occasionally take photos during our workshops, cafe chats and field days for promotional purposes and to use as documentation of events to share with our funders.  If you do not wish to be photographed, please let our event host know — we’ll make every effort to make sure you are not photographed.