Thank-you, yes I have been networking with the local Extension office. Thank-you for your comment

Hi inQ Performer thanks for the info! Boy, you've traveled -sounds great I will definately keep these markets in mind. Thanks again!

The Adirondack Farmers Market Coop is very successful: http://www.adirondackfarmersmarket.com   Your local Cooperative Extension office can be a good resource for networking with local growers as well as an educational resource: http://www.csrees.usda.gov

Thanks Erin! I sure willlook up that information!

There is a restaurant in Tulsa, OK that uses exclusively local products. The Local Table 4329 S. Peoria Ave Suite 340 [map]Tulsa, OK Phone : 918.794.8013 I have not eaten there and could not tell you if they are successful, but they may be an excellent contact for you. Good Luck.

Hey Martha,   I absolutely LOVE farmer's markets and there are many other people who are like me.  As a business professional, my mantra always includes niche marketing - 'Spearhead your business with a niche ... then expand.'   I know of a few farmer's markets across the country that have become part of the bedrock of that community.  For example, in West Los Angeles (West LA), there is a historic Farmer's market where an entire outdoor mall called The Grove has built up around it.  Tourists pull up by the bus load to visit this farmer's market.  If you haven't been there, you need to pay it a visit.   A little bit west, towards the ocean, is the Santa Monica farmer's market that is usually open from about April through November.  This is more of a temporary and seasonal farmer's market where tents are set up during the morning and taken down in the afternoon.   On the East coast, there is the Eastern Market in Washington, DC near the Capital.  And, in the suburbs of Washington, DC is the Reston Town Center farmer's market.    Reston Town Center is kind of like a work-live-play environment.  Only a handful of vendors set up tents at this one and if you were looking for a budding farmer's market, I would recommend this one.  It seems to have lots of potential.  There seems to be a lot of suburban work-live-play communities out there and a farmer's market would certainly bring that sense of 'organic' and 'green' that a lot of people seem to cling to when they are looking for a sense of community.   Sorry, I don't have any specific contacts for you, but I do think your niche is a good one, it seems to have legs. 

Welcome to the Business.gov Community Martha! Your business plan sounds great. Check out the Agriculture resources on this listing of local contacts for Federal Programs, and specifically the USDA resource for Wholesale and Farmers Markets. Please let us know what other resources you have found helpful. Regards, Erin