Working together on the Mobile Market


By Serge M

Hello, this is Serge again. This summer is a bit different for me. I'm a specialist once again, but unlike the previous two summers I'm a Mobile Market specialist instead of a Communications specialist.

Even though I had experience working on the Mobile Market, this was a pretty interesting week. This year I get to know more of the interns that come in to help - how they heard about MAP and why they are interested in working at MAP. not only do I learn about the interns, but I also get to obtain more customer service skills, as well as more knowledge about people that know about MAP.

Today I'll write about what a typical day on the market is like for me. First, we arrive at a site. (Here's a list of all the sites.) Next, thing we do is unload the truck and set up the stand. Usually, we start by setting up a tent, unless it's already provided. Then we take out the tables and set them up under the shade so the produce doesn't dry out when displayed. Next, we take out all the veggies and produce and do some staging. When we display food we try to include height, pricing and other visual appeal. We make sure things are eye level. We lay some of the tall greens - like swiss chard - at a diagonal position so you can see the entire bunch from stem to leaf. We also make sure they don't cover up the entire crate so we can put other greens with them.

It may not sound too difficult, but it's not an easy process either. 

After displaying our produce, we put price signs that are visible for customers to see. They have tags on them to let you know where you're produce comes from, if they are locally grown, or if they are conventionally grown. At the same time, we count our beginning inventory, and the money we brought to start with. And then we wait on customers and sell as much produce as we can. At the end of the market, we do the same process to clean up the site. Well, except for counting, that's last in either process. So, basically that is a typical day on a farm stand for me.

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