The idea of getting market organisers together to share common interests goes back many years, to a meeting in 2002 more
details. Many of the issues touched on, at that meeting, are still relevant
today, and this website had its origins from that time.
More recently, in June 2007, Farmers' Markets in Wales (FMIW), in collaboration
with the Penclawdd Local Produce Market and Swansea City Council, organised
a forum for market operators. The event proved very rewarding for those that
attended but there were many individuals across Wales that, although interested,
did not have sufficient resources to do likewise.
It was clear, from the feed back at this forum, managers would value the chance
to get together on a regular basis to share their triumphs, frustrations and
problems.
The forum is continuing to develop on an informal basis and can best be described
as a "club". The meetings are via telephone link ups and there is
a web based resource for managers which includes reports of meetings, ongoing
projects, and links to other useful information as well as an online discussion
forum.
The current project is, work in progress on the creation of a Producer Register.
The register is intended to provide comprehensive information about each producer
and their products as well as documentary evidence to support the information.
The register will eventually contain a list of registered products which will
provide a high degree of assurance to market managers, customers, and Enforcement
Agencies (Environmental Health and Trading Standards) about the nature of the
products being sold.
The telephone link calls are sponsored by Truebox
(Part of Solutiontrax which sponsors the FMIW website) which offers a range
of services based on the latest open source VoIP technology.
The cost for this service is only the cost of the individual telephone calls
and the system can accommodate up to 45 at any one time. Although this would
be ample for all the organisers in Wales to simultaneously talk to each other
it may prove impractical ! Regional link ups and meetings based on topics can
be arranged by request and can be at any time: day, evening or weekend.
The forum is independant and is intended for those already operating markets
in Wales and for new groups or individuals considering doing so. The aim is
to create a network of mutual support to assist in the ongoing sustainability
and growth of the markets.
Membership of the forum is free and provides access to data bases (e.g. Register
of Producers and Products) , web based resources as well as access to the telephone
link facilities.
For further information about becoming a member please contact FMIW
