School Farmers Markets
School Farmers’ Markets are real farmers markets held in school halls, community halls or playgrounds, organised by Food for Life schools. They give the local community the opportunity to browse and purchase fresh local produce and crafts.
Running a market is an exciting journey that combines engaging educational activities in the classroom with a ‘wow day' event which can make a big contribution to your Food for Life award activity whilst generating income for the school.
Setting up a farmers’ market in school is an exciting way of engaging pupils in key curriculum areas by providing a real-life situation with which pupils lead and own their very own business enterprise. They are also a great way to raise money to fund your Food for Life Schools Awards Package subscription.
What's involved in running a market?
Our School Farmers' Market team have helped hundreds of schools run markets up and down the country. For our comprehensive guide - including detailed timeline, curriculum-linked classroom activities and resources - please click here to download our School Farmers' Market curriculum pack
How can a School Farmers Market enhance learning?
Running a School Farmers' Market provides pupils with the opportunity to achieve positive learning outcomes in a range of different National Curriculum subjects, including literacy, numeracy, ICT, science and 'enterprise and entrepreneurial skills'. They also provide an opportunity for pupils to develop new skills such as money handling, marketing and recognising local produce and seasonal vegetables.
How does this tie in with my FFL award work?
Holding a farmers' market can help you achieve many of the FFL award criteria for Bronze and beyond from using produce grown in the school garden through to the opportunity to consult with parents on wider aspects of school food. We've laid out lots of ideas in the curriculum pack to get you started.
How does the market raise money?
Most schools charge stallholders a small fee to have a stall at their event and the income generated by the stallholder is theirs to keep. You can add to this income by selling products that the children have produced in school such as gluts of garden vegetables, jams, chutneys, or even plants. A large part of your income may also come from the sale of teas, coffees and cakes.
During a two hour market, a school can easily make between £300- £400 profit. Some have taken even more!
