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A Farmers Market 

Is one in which farmers and producers from a defined
local area, in this case the Cairngorms National Park,
are present in person to sell their own products direct
to the public. 
All products on offer should have been grown, reared,
caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked, processed or
made by the stall holder. 


Source – National Association of Farmers Markets 




Challenges to CFMA project 

• Uncertainty in variety of produce available 
• Uncertainty in volume of produce 
• Uncertainty in continuity of supply 
• Lack of confidence to change methods ofselling + marketing 
• Commitment of time to initiate 
• Personal financial resources 
• Lack of proximity to large population base 




Progress in 2004 

• Volunteer organiser found – Jaci Douglas 2004 
• Pilot Markets arranged linked to local events 
• Funding obtained from Leader and Highland Council 
• Feasibility Studies – showed public backing for a local Farmers Market within the area. 
- wider market research 
always shows Farmers Market brings more 
shoppers into town on the day; this helps allay 
fears of local traders 
• Coherent identity – Cairngorms Farmers Market 



Cairngorms Farmers Market 
Association 

-first inaugurated 2004 
-3 pilot markets 2004 / 5 
 



Motor Mania 2004, 2005 

• 6 Cairngorms producers of food + local crafts 
• Range included: beef, lamb, organic lamb,
organic bread, furniture, fruit, honey, pottery 
• Customer reaction: want regular marketwithin 20 mile radius of home base. 
• Information and educational role, cookerydemonstrations. 




Challenges of moving forward 

• Cost of hiring stalls, cold counters, 
generators too high to make market viable 
for individual stall holders. 
• Processing of meat – lack of local capacity 
• Cairngorms covers 3 Council areas 
• How to become viable long term option for 
selling and marketing local produce + crafts. 




Spring 2006 

• Successful Grant Application to Leader +, CNPA, 
Highland, Moray + Aberdeenshire councils and 
HIE Moray + Inverness + East Highland. 
• Equipment purchased to reduce hire cost and 
make market work for stall holders e.g.. Cold 
counters, tents, generators, tables, equipment 
trailer, marketing + branding. 
• Part time Organiser recruited 


Image:  customers visiting stalls at Farmers Market



• 8 markets completed in 2006 in -
Tomintoul, Braemar, Grantown, Carrbridge andAviemore. Motor Mania increased to 15 stalls. 
• Cairngorms Producer Members increased by 33%
from 9 to 12 
• Introduced Guest Producers to expand range ofquality produce + crafts on offer. 
• Products list expanded to include: cheese,
vegetables, jewellery, tablet, homemade cards,
garden plants and chainsaw carvings 
• Market research continue to show very positivefeedback from customers 
• Set to expand in 2007 to build toward long termsustainable Cairngorms Farmers Market 




Rebranding and new logo for 2007 

Image:  Cairngorms logo





Cairngorms Farmers Market 
Association Limited 

• Not for profit organisation, low cost entry to selling directwhich helps establish and support local businesses andtherefore rural economy. 
• Stall sharing option for very small producers 
• New members still welcome – producers of quality foodor crafts. 
• Build community at Farmers Markets, e.g. Local charitystalls. 
• Local suppliers wherever possible. 
• Sunday markets – Saturday stall holders busy with otherdiversifications, capitalise on self catering tourist tradealso avoids clashes with other Farmers Markets. 
• Ethical choices - carrier bags, cotton bags. 




The Future? 

• Good range of produce developing all the time. 
• 16 markets for 2007 more stand alone to keep 
costs to minimum. 
• Set a budget which breaks even 
• Sustainability – looking at all the options to 
include depreciation of equipment for 2007. 
• Continue to look for sponsorship from 
agricultural business to make us viable long 
term. 




Improve communication to 
communities within National Park 

• Local food supports rural economy 
• Low food miles protects environment 
• Reconnect consumers with food producers 
to build confidence in products produced 
to highest welfare standards and minimum 
chemical usage 
• Overcome perceived competition with 
local shops 




Next market – Aviemore this Sunday 
Look out for our trailer! 

Image:  Cairngorms Farmers Market trailer