Q. How will Port Townsend Local Marketplace determine the pricing for the products it sells?
A. PT Local Marketplace works closely with its member farms to decide on a reasonable price for each product being sold. That price will be what the farmer receives from PT Local Marketplace We then take that price and mark it up for the customer.

Q. Will farmers be charged any monthly fees?
A. No, there are no monthly fees for selling with PT Local Marketplace. Website and marketing costs are included in the markup price.

Q. How will Port Townsend Local Marketpace foster cooperation rather than competition among farmers?
A. PT Local Marketplace works with its farmers to determine the market value of each product. If two or more farmers decide to sell the same product, orders will be split evenly among those farmers regardless of the size of the farm. All the farms who sell that product will receive the same price from PT Local Marketplace. Small farms will benefit from having an even stake in the business. Large farms will benefit by fulfilling what the small farms can't provide. It is our intent to hold annual forums to determine what farmers are planning to grow, and communicate members' plans to encourage variety.

Q. What are Port Townsend Local Marketplaces' profit goals?
A. PT Local Marketplace is a Washington state limited liability corporation (LLC). Our goals include paying a living wage to our employees and contractors, reinvesting in our community in the form of charitable contributions, purchasing land for conversion to farms, and other endeavors intended to promote sustainability in our community. We intend to develop trusting relationships with our partner farms and our customers. It is also our intention to give back a dividend to our member farms at the end of each calendar year based on our profits. Thus, our fortunes are tied to those of our farmers, our customers, and our community.

Q. How will Port Townsend Local Marketplace monitor the quality of the products it sells?
A. The farmer is obligated to deliver market-grade produce. Products will be inspected upon delivery and prior to assembling each order. If we conclude that product is below market-grade, the farmer will be notified. If poor quality continues, the farm may lose its membership.

Q. How will the farmer be required to deliver product?
A. The farmer will not be required to assemble individual orders.  Product will be delivered to PT Local Marketplace in a pre-determined package (i.e. bunch, 1 lb. bag, carton, etc.). PT Local Marketplace workers will assemble each order.

Q. What if the farmer fails to deliver product?
A. Each farmer is obligated to make every effort to deliver product on time. We understand that trucks break down, roosters fail to crow, and plants fail to grow, or grow too fast. In order for this to succeed, it is necessary for the farmer to communicate with PT Local Marketplace as early as possible. Farmers, even those who consider themselves complete Luddites, are strongly encouraged to make use of current technologies to communicate any issues with PT Local Marketplace as soon as possible.

Q. What can I expect from a typical week?
A. Beginning as early as Tuesday evening, farmers who have product to sell need to inform PT Local Marketplace about what products they will have available to sell the following Tuesday. As soon as quantities are entered into our database, the products will be available to restuarants and retail customers for sale on the PT Local Marketplace website. Farmers will monitor their crops throughout the week and report any changes in quantity as soon as possible via a phone call or email.

On Monday at 11:30 AM, customer ordering on the website closes for the period. Shortly after, the farmer will receive an email from PT Local Marketplace detailing what the farmer needs to bring to the delivery site on Tuesday. Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning is the day for farmers to harvest and package their products for delivery. Tuesday morning, the farmer delivers the products to the site prior to 12pm.