Farmers Market Press Release Guide

How Press Releases Help Your Market

• Discovery & credibility: Local newsrooms, town blogs, chambers, and event calendars still lean on clear releases for fast facts.

• Attendance: Timely, well-packaged news gets you into “What’s Happening” roundups, weekend guides, and morning shows.

• Partner value: Sponsors and vendors love seeing their names/quotes; it proves impact (SNAP/WIC/Veterans programs, community benefits).

When to send (simple timing)

• Season opener/closer: 3–4 weeks out + a 1-week reminder.

• Major events (Harvest Fest, Kids Month, Veterans vouchers): 2–3 weeks out + a Media Alert 3–4 days prior.

• Weather changes/one-offs: ASAP (same day if needed).

• Milestones (anniversaries, grants, sponsorships): Once confirmed; offer interviews.

Press Release vs. Media Alert

• Press Release: Full story (headline, quotes, details).

• Media Alert: Ultra-short: Who / What / When / Where / Why / Visuals / Interview (24–72 hours before).

Build your A-list (who to send to)

Create a simple sheet with columns: Outlet • Contact • Role • Email • Beat/Notes • Last Pitched • Response • Link to Coverage.

• Local outlets: papers, radio, TV assignment desks, lifestyle mags.

• Digital: town/city blogs, tourism sites, parenting/food writers.

• Civic: Chamber, town hall newsletter, libraries/community centers.

• Partners: sponsors, anchor vendors, SNAP/WIC/Veterans orgs (ask them to forward).

• Calendars: city/county/tourism/newspaper event listings.
  Refresh quarterly; personalize by beat (food, community, business).

How to write (editor-friendly anatomy)

1. Format (AP-style, third person):
2. Headline (≤70 chars): Strong verb + benefit + location
3. Subhead (optional): One crisp value add
4. Dateline: Derry, ME — [Month Day, Year]
5. Lead (1–2 sentences): What/when/where/why it matters
6. Nut graph: Key specifics (hours, address, season, programs)
7. Quotes (2): Market spokesperson + vendor/sponsor (human voice)
8. Details: Activities/vendors; access (parking, ADA); payments (SNAP/EBT, WIC, Veterans); weather policy
9. Call to action: How to attend/learn more
10. Boilerplate: 2–3 sentences about the market
11. Media contact: Name, phone, email, website
12. Assets: Link to photos/logo, b-roll, map

Writing tips

• Front-load facts; trim adjectives; keep quotes natural.

• Use numbers (vendor count, years running, expected attendance).

• Localize (neighborhoods, landmarks, nearby towns).

Optimize for farmers markets (what editors actually need)

• Community impact: food access (SNAP match), small-business support, local ag stories.

• Visuals: describe photo ops (colorful produce, families, chefs/musicians).

• Service info: parking, restrooms, ADA access, pet policy, rain plan.

• Dates: recurring Sundays 10–2 (June–Oct); bold notable dates.

• On-site media contact: who/where to meet (Info Booth).

Images & assets (make coverage easy)

• Photos: 5–10 high-res JPGs (landscape 3000px+ wide) + 1 square; natural light; real people & produce.

• Captions/credits: vendor names, products, photographer.

• Logo: PNG with transparent background.

• Map link: parking + entrance pin.

• Permissions: avoid identifiable minors without guardian consent.

Email pitch (what you actually send)

Subject ideas

• Derry Farmers Market opens June 2: fresh local food Sundays 10–2

• Harvest Fest this Sunday: pumpkins, live music & family fun

• Veterans vouchers in September at Derry Farmers Market (details inside)

Body (short; paste release below signature)

Hi [Name],
Quick heads-up for your community/events beat: Derry Farmers Market (13 Castle Rock Rd) runs Sundays 10–2 with fresh seasonal produce, SNAP/EBT match, and family-friendly activities. [This Sunday/On DATE] we’re featuring [highlight].
Full details, quotes, and photos below. Happy to arrange interviews.
—[Your Name], [Title], [Phone]

Templates (fill-in fast)

1) Season Opening Release

HEADLINE: Derry Farmers Market Returns June 2 with Fresh Local Food, Sundays 10–2
SUBHEAD: SNAP/EBT match, family activities, and 30+ vendors at 13 Castle Rock Rd

DERRY, ME — [Month Day, Year] — Derry Farmers Market reopens Sunday, June 2, bringing fresh seasonal produce, local meats & dairy, baked goods, coffee, and artisan goods to 13 Castle Rock Rd from 10am–2pm each Sunday through October.

“With peak-season ingredients and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, our market is where the community connects around local food,” said [Spokesperson, Title]. “We’re proud to accept SNAP/EBT with market match, plus WIC and Veterans vouchers.”

Opening day features [# vendors] including [vendor samples], live music by [name], and kids’ activities at the Info Booth. Free on-site parking and wheelchair access. Rain or shine.

Learn more and see weekly vendor lists at [website].

About Derry Farmers Market
Located at 13 Castle Rock Rd, Derry, ME, Derry Farmers Market connects local farms and makers with the community every Sunday, June–October. Programs include SNAP/EBT match, WIC, and Veterans vouchers. [1–2 more sentences.]

Media Contact: [Name, Title, Phone, Email]
Media Assets (photos/logo): [Link]

2) Special Event / Harvest Fest Release

HEADLINE: Harvest Fest at Derry Farmers Market — Oct 13, 10–2
SUBHEAD: Pumpkins, crafts, live music, and 40+ vendors at 13 Castle Rock Rd

DERRY, ME — [Month Day, Year] — Derry Farmers Market hosts Harvest Fest on Sunday, Oct 13 (10am–2pm) at 13 Castle Rock Rd, celebrating fall flavors with [activities: pumpkin crafts, scavenger hunt, face painting], live music by [artist], and 40+ vendors.

“Harvest Fest showcases the best of the season—apples, squash, and all the cozy flavors locals love,” said [Spokesperson]. “Our SNAP/EBT match helps everyone bring home more produce.”

Free parking, wheelchair-accessible, rain or shine. Vendor list and details: [website].

About / Contact / Assets: (same as above)

3) Media Alert (paste into email 24–72 hours before)

MEDIA ALERT: Derry Farmers Market — [Event Name]
Who: Derry Farmers Market + [partners]
What: [Event name + 1-line value]
When: [Day, Date, Time]
Where: 13 Castle Rock Rd, Derry, ME (free parking; entrance pin link)
Why/Visuals: [Colorful produce, family activities, chef demo, live music]
Interviews: [Name/Title] on-site at Info Booth, cell: [###-###-####]
More info/assets: [website] • [photo folder link]

AEO + SEO (help people and algorithms)

• Write scannable releases with clear headings and bullet points (great for editors and AI answers).

• Use natural local phrases: Derry, nearby towns, farmers market, fresh local produce, Sundays 10–2, and seasonal terms (strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins).

• Post the release on your site’s News/Press page; share the link in pitches and on social.

Save time with AI (copy/paste prompts)

• Draft my release: “Write a 300-word AP-style press release announcing [event/date/time] at Derry Farmers Market; include 2 natural quotes (spokesperson + vendor); mention SNAP/EBT match, free parking, ADA access, rain or shine.”

• Shorten & sharpen: “Edit to 220–260 words; front-load facts; remove fluff; keep quotes human.”

• Media Alert version: “Convert that release into a one-page Media Alert with Who/What/When/Where/Why/Visuals/Interview.”

• Pitch emails: “Create 3 subject lines and 3 email pitches (≤120 words) for (1) community calendar editor, (2) morning TV producer, (3) food reporter.”

• Quote bank: “Generate 6 short quote options about community impact, food access, and seasonal produce—market manager voice.”

• Caption set: “Write 6 descriptive, credit-ready captions for market photos.”

   

Distribution & amplification (quick wins)

• Paste the full release in the email body (attach PDF optional).

• Post on your website News/Press page; share to Google Business Updates and Facebook Page; link in Stories.

• Ask co-hosts, vendors, and sponsors to share.

• Optional: budget wire service for big moments; otherwise, direct local pitching + community calendars deliver great ROI.

Final checklists

Release quality

• Clear headline + strong lead

• Dateline present; facts first

• Two useful quotes (not fluff)

• Programs & access (SNAP/WIC/Veterans, parking, ADA, weather)

• Contact + links + photo assets

Distribution

• A-list pitched (personalized by beat)

• Full text pasted in email (PDF optional)

• Posted on website / shared to GBP + Facebook

• Co-hosts/vendors/sponsors asked to amplify

Day-of media readiness

• On-site contact & cell listed

• Photo/B-roll spots identified (entrance, produce aisle, family area)

• One-page fact sheet printed (hours, address, programs, stats)