KSFM Conference Keynote Speaker: Don Wambles

Don Wambles, the Immediate Past President of the Farmers Market Coalition Board of Directors, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Kansas Farmers Market Conference for Vendors.

For the past fifteen years, Don has served as the Director of the State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority where he has provided marketing and technical assistance to Alabama farmers. Through Don’s leadership the number of farmers markets in Alabama has increased from 17 in 1999 to 114 today. Through this network of market facilities across the state, more than 1,544 small family farmers have benefited.

In his keynote address, Putting a Face with the Food We Eat, Don will share how consumer interest in purchasing fresh, local food has skyrocketed over the past several years and what marketing strategies producers can use to compete with grocery chains. "Incorporating tried and true marketing with the demand for ‘fresh and local’ is a win-win for farmers markets," says Wambles.

Don initiated the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign for the entire state of Alabama and also started the “Alabama Farmers Market Trail.” He is responsible for the WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP in Alabama. Today the WIC FMNP is operating in 32 counties and the Senior FMNP is a statewide program operating in all 67 counties.

Don will also update attendees on the latest news on one of the most successful government programs of all time--the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Kansas has recently applied to be readmitted to this program which provides eligible seniors with coupon vouchers to purchase Kansas raised fresh fruit and vegetables.

During the conference's Marketing Track, Don will present Strategies Farmers Can Use to Increase Sales. In this session participants will learn methods for pricing, ways to keep customers coming back and strategies to gain new customers.

Register for the 2010 Kansas Farmers Market Conference for Vendors

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