Making moms feel special at the market

It’s no coincidence that Mother’s Day takes place in the spring. Flowers are blooming and bountiful, the weather is perfect for a stroll outdoors (like say, through a market?), and seasonal farmers markets are celebrating their opening days. Although babies are born year round, it feels like everyone I know is celebrating a new birth and celebrating women becoming new mothers or grandmothers. Here are some tips to help get your market Mother’s Day ready.

Create your Mom-centric Message

Remind your farmers and vendors of the upcoming holiday in advance! They may think of holidays at farmers markets as “slow days” or “off days,” but most holidays (especially those centered around food, flowers and fun) make for very busy markets. Not only the day itself, but the days leading up to a holiday can be very busy as people are preparing for special meals and gathering gifts. Encourage your farmers and vendors to not only show up, but to make sure they have extra inventory and decorate their booths accordingly! Vendors should use their social media channels to inform their customers they will be at the markets in the days leading up to and perhaps on Mother’s Day, and any specials they are offering for the occasion.

Don’t forget to get the word out to your followers about holiday specials, unique activities, and gift ideas. Clearly state that your market will be open regular hours – or include any changes to your usual market schedule if there are any. Highlight the mothers who work in the booths at your market each week and give them some special appreciation. Many market businesses (especially farms) are family owned and operated by moms! This personal message can help connect your shoppers to their farmers and vendors.

Also, keep in mind that some people find Mother’s Day to be a sad day. Some may be mourning the loss of their mother or child, or find it difficult to celebrate a day that doesn’t have significant meaning to them. They can still participate in the market! Offer messages about cherishing a special mother, like a teacher, family friend, or maybe an aunt or neighbor. There are many ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. It’s not just for kids to solely honor their own Mom (sorry ma!).

Flower Power

What’s in season at your market? Chances are, about three dozen varieties of flowers in all different sizes, colors and smells. Local flower growers can offer special bouquets for moms with decorative bows or cards (if they are allowed by your County’s AG department). Ask your greeting card vendor if they’d offer a discount on a Mother’s Day card with purchase of a farmers’ bouquet. Consumable plants like herb gardens and veggie starters make wonderful gifts for moms who cook. Suggest that your farmers include recipes featuring the particular herb or veggie.

Flower growers can check with neighboring restaurants to see if they need flower arrangements for their Mother’s Day brunch tables. Do you know a business in your market’s community that could use flowers on holidays like this? Or a restaurant that needs fresh orange juice for Mother’s Day mimosas? Step in to make the introduction and then let the farmer and business owner take it from there. Make those community connections! This is a beautiful way to bring in new market customers.

Make Those New Shoppers Stick

Now that you have shoppers heading to your markets to pick out flowers and gifts, consider what you can do to help them enjoy their time so they’ll return on a regular basis and assist in sustaining your market year-round. Offer activities like special wreath making for the moms, yoga at the market or Chef-guided market shopping tours. Gift mothers and grandmothers with recipe cards that include ingredients from farms and vendors at the market. This will encourage them to stay and shop! Hopefully they will enjoy the meals and return to buy the same items again.

Create a pleasant and unique memory for them. Make sure your staff take photos or set up a photo station where moms can take photos with their families. Post pictures of happy moms on your social media and save some photos for future outreach on similar holidays. Be sure to let shoppers know how to tag your market in their posts and what hashtags to use.

Make your market extra family friendly for Mother’s Day. Offer music, crafts for kids and highlight vendors selling snacks to keep little bellies happy while moms enjoy their day. Make your market more accessible to families so that they will return again and again. Once moms are at the market they’ll realize it’s an easy way to build awareness around the food they serve their kids, as well as a great way to enjoy the outdoors.