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An Overview Or 



oadside Stands 



IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 



hy Nada Haddad 



ROADSIDE STANDS are becoming more and more 

 popular. Direct outlets for local produce, they've be- 

 come an important addition to New Hampshire's farm 

 industry. 



These stands save the grower travel time and pro- 

 vide both residents and tourists with freshly picked 

 produce attractively displayed in a rural setting. 

 Most stands are seasonal, specializing in fruits, veg- 

 etables, herbs, bedding plants, and related products. 

 They are often supplemented with produce grown lo- 

 cally or in other parts of the state. 



Roadside stands are regulated by either state, 

 county, or local authorities — sometimes by all three. 

 For example, for a roadside stand to be recognized of- 

 ficially as such, the Department of Agriculture requires 

 that at least half of the money taken in during the 

 marketing season come from products grown on site. 



The size of the stand varies according to the size of 

 the farm. Many have started with humble selling from 

 a table in the front yard. As their businesses have 

 grown, many operators find it desirable to have a mar- 

 ket building with a sales area, a preparation and stor- 

 age space, a place for shipping and receiving, an of- 

 fice, a break area, rest rooms, and plenty of parking 

 nearby. 



Growers are always looking for new ways to reach 

 customers. One is having a portable stand that can be 

 moved on a daily basis to busier, more urban areas. 

 Some owners attract trade by combining entertainment 

 with sales. Some have placed a petting zoo on the 

 premises. These zoos include goats, sheep, chickens, 

 etc. Children (and adults) love to meet these little 

 furry animals which help the farmers sell more of their 

 produce. 



The products can be innovative as well: not only 

 apples and sweet corn, but melons, garlic, home-made 

 pies, and cut flowers can be found. The quality's usu- 

 ally high and the prices competitive. 



Two farms in the seacoast area selling through their 

 stands have developed a new style of Community Sup- 

 ported Agriculture (CSA) by developing a 'Farm Family/ 

 Club Membership.' Memberships range from $20-30 per 

 season. The revenue from memberships allows the 

 farm to get a cash flow in winter that enables it to get 

 an early start in spring. Members are given discounts 

 on harvested produce. They're also invited to attend 

 farm events such as picnics and receive a farm news- 

 letter. 



Some small roadside stands, wanting to cut on the 

 cost of manning the stand, have gone to the honor sys- 

 tem. The customer, after choosing the produce, will 

 weigh it on the provided scale. The prices per pound 

 are listed nearby and the customer will make his or 

 her own calculations and leave the money in a box an- 

 chored to the wall or table. Although some growers 

 have reported that when some customers didn't have 

 the right change, they sent the amount due by mail, it 

 isn't clear yet how successful this system really is. 



And in the last two years, many stands have been 

 authorized to accept food stamps. Operators don't 

 miss many opportunities to increase their sales. 



Don't miss the season. Roadside stands offer a 

 friendly, courteous, and family orientated environment, 

 and plenty of personalized attention. There's a lot 

 here to see, experience, taste, and enjoy. 



Hada A. Haddai is an ExICMSion Educaior, P^ricultural Re- 

 sources, jor Rockingham County. Sdcs al Nortli Road \n BrcMl- 

 wood and can be reached at 603/679-5626. T/ic malWng address 

 is P.O. Box 200, Epping NH 03042 



August & September 1 993 

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