A lot of these markets are more community-focused and, yeah, they’ll charge something but not beyond the actual cost of putting the market together. They’re not making a profit. In some places the state or municipality will organize the markets in order to foster the local food/ag scene.
Do you think those things mean something isn’t a middle man?
The cost of putting the market together is always going to be higher than selling out of a van. Bigger venue, higher costs. It’s worth it for the increased sales, but the middle man still gets a cut. Even if there’s no profit, even if the cut is fair, there’s still a cut.
I made no such claim. The markets I’ve worked with have never taken a “cut” (I’ve seen the financials of some of these things. They’re non-profit, so no reason not to be transparent). They’re literally raising funds for the bare minimum of operations, so any use fees for the space and to ensure continual operations. These are volunteer groups.
A lot of these markets are more community-focused and, yeah, they’ll charge something but not beyond the actual cost of putting the market together. They’re not making a profit. In some places the state or municipality will organize the markets in order to foster the local food/ag scene.
Do you think those things mean something isn’t a middle man?
The cost of putting the market together is always going to be higher than selling out of a van. Bigger venue, higher costs. It’s worth it for the increased sales, but the middle man still gets a cut. Even if there’s no profit, even if the cut is fair, there’s still a cut.
I made no such claim. The markets I’ve worked with have never taken a “cut” (I’ve seen the financials of some of these things. They’re non-profit, so no reason not to be transparent). They’re literally raising funds for the bare minimum of operations, so any use fees for the space and to ensure continual operations. These are volunteer groups.