The Kingston Farmers Market is pleased to announce our 4th annual Vendor Mentorship Program for the 2024 season. This program is intended to provide a pathway to becoming a food vendor at the Kingston Farmers Market, with a particular focus on offering opportunities to individuals & businesses from marginalized communities that are eager to expand their business, but have faced obstacles of accessibility within market spaces. We encourage all local businesses that meet these credentials to apply! In 2024 we will accept up to two applicants into this program.
El Mercado de Agricultores de Kingston se complace en anunciar nuestro 4º Programa Anual de Tutoría de Proveedores para la temporada 2024. Este programa tiene por objeto proporcionar una vía para convertirse en un proveedor de comida en el mercado de agricultores de Kingston, con especial atención a ofrecer oportunidades a personas y empresas de comunidades marginadas que están deseosas de ampliar sus negocios, pero que han enfrentado obstáculos de accesibilidad dentro de los espacios del mercado. ¡Animamos a todas las empresas locales que cumplan con estas credenciales a aplicar! En 2024 aceptaremos hasta dos solicitantes en este programa.
Businesses that are accepted into the program will be receive:
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- An allocated spot at the Kingston Farmers Market for the 2024 outdoor market season,
- Mentorship from an established farmer, business owner, and market vendor on market success and business establishment,
- A cash grant of up to $750 to be used to further business goals.
Businesses that are admitted to the program will be asked to:
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- Commit to attending the market for the full outdoor market season (Saturday mornings 8am-1:30pm from May – November) either weekly or every other week,
- Actively participate in mentorship responsibilities, which will be defined collaboratively with mentor and mentee,
- Come with an open mind and willingness to accept constructive feedback.
- Develop a plan of action to expand and engage your business in and out of the market platform.
Las empresas que sean aceptadas en el programa recibirán:
- Un lugar asignado en el Mercado de Agricultores de Kingston para la temporada de mercado al aire libre de 2024,
- Tutoría de un agricultor establecido, propietario de un negocio y proveedor del mercado sobre el éxito en el mercado y el establecimiento de negocios,
- Una subvención en efectivo de hasta $750 que se utilizará para promover los objetivos comerciales.
A las empresas que sean admitidas en el programa se les pedirá que:
- Comprométase a asistir al mercado durante toda la temporada de mercado al aire libre (sábados por la mañana de 8 a.m. a 1:30 p.m. de mayo a noviembre), ya sea semanalmente o cada dos semanas,
- Participar activamente en las responsabilidades de tutoría, que se definirán en colaboración con el mentor y el aprendiz,
- Ven con una mente abierta y la voluntad de aceptar comentarios constructivos,
- Desarrolle un plan de acción para expandir e involucrar a su negocio dentro y fuera de la plataforma del mercado
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants are new or beginning businesses producing goods that meet existing market guidelines, are located within 50 miles of Kingston, who are seeking to use farmers markets as a new or alternative sales channel, and who can identify why they are a good fit for this mentorship program.
Farmers and business owners of color and/or from other historically marginalized communities are highly encouraged to apply.
Applications will be accepted from January 12th- until February 12th , 2024, and the recipient will be announced by late March, 2024.
Please send questions regarding this mentorship program to Timna Kligler at FoodAccess@kingstonfarmersmarket.org
