the state of farmers markets ~ bernadine prince, farmers market coalition ~
TRANSCRIPT
The State of Farmers Markets
~ Bernadine Prince, Farmers Market Coalition ~
Hooray for Maryland!
Over 100 MD farmers markets
MD/DC WIC training!
“Farmer-Up” for a week, part of Buy Local Challenge
Annual “Eat Local Cookout”
500+ members Represents 2,500 farmers markets in
47 states Serves over 22,000
farmers and producers
Mission Accomplished!?
The “good” and the “bad” about the growth of farmers
markets
The “good” and the “bad” about the growth of farmers
markets
Popularity ≠ Measured Value
Growth Means More Scrutiny
Despite countless hours at the farmers market and behind
the scenes, Farmers Market Managers are
given very little professional
credibility. As of 2005, more than 60%
were unpaid.
Farmers Markets Need Help
Local-State-National Feedback Loop
• Innovate• Educate
community• Share ideas
Market
• Identify needs & promising practices
• Host manager convenings
• Evaluate• Lead pilot programs• Bridge state agencies
State FMA • Link peers,
presenters, & other resources
• Host webinars• Translate needs to
USDA/Congress• Bring new
stakeholders• Develop advocacy
tools and common language
FMC
Why do Farmers Markets need the Farm
Bill?
$33.1 billion spent on commodity crops corn
soybeanscottonricewheat
$4.3 billion spent on specialty crops
fruitsnutsvegetables
FY 2010: $65 billion for SNAP (Food Stamps), not counting WIC! Most SNAP
redemption is at retail food markets.
FY 2010: Farmers received $15 million in revenue through FMNP
Supplemental Nutrition Programs Benefit Consumers
and Farmers
Percent of Total SNAP Redeemed at Farmers Markets, 1993 - 2011
SNAP in Farmers MarketsSNAP Redemption at Farmers Markets & Direct Marketing Farmers, Oct. ’10
– Sept. ’11# of Farmers Market &
Direct Marketing Farmer Retailers
Total SNAP Redeemed with
Farmers
Percentage of Total SNAP
Redeemed with Farmers
DC 8 (11) $18,470 .015%
DE 5 (6) $22,078 .010%
MD 27 (32) $192,393 .017%
PA 49 (83) $267,786 .010%
VA 38 (53) $86,566 .006%
WV 12 (20) $14,701 .003%
Farmers Market Promotion Program
Why do Farmers Markets need the Farm
Bill?
Marker Bills in Congress The Local Farms, Food & Jobs Act (S. 1773, H.R. 3286) ~ Rep. Chellie Pingree & Co-sponsor Sherrod Brown + 78 others
The Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act (S. 1593) ~ Sen. Gillibrand
LFFJA (S. 1773, H.R. 3286)
• Increase FMPP to $20M annually and create Local Marketing Promotion Program
• Increase Specialty Crop Block Grants to $90M annually
• Encourage more EBT@ farmers markets• Increase SFMNP to $25M/year• Total investment = 1/6 of 1% of USDA’s
budget
Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act (S.
1593)• Provide farmers markets with wireless,
mobile equipment to process SNAP• Amend Food & Nutrition Act to treat
farmers markets same as traditional retail food centers
• Encourage state agencies to partner and contract with nonprofits to assist with outreach, administration and farmer and market training
What is Success?Measuring what farmers markets do:
Economic (sales, jobs, income, new businesses, circulation of resources within local community)Human (learning new skills, acquiring new knowledge or experiences)Social (trust, volunteerism, gleaning programs, the role of the market as a gathering place)Natural (farmland, organic and sustainable practices, diversity of products, distance and time from farm to final consumer)
Know Your Farmer,
Know Your Food Compass
Leap Day, Feb. 29
2pm ET
KYF Compass Webinar
www.usda.gov/live
Twitter: @usda/#KYF2
FMC ResourcesResource Library
Webinars
Market Manager FAQs & videos
National Farmers Market Week Toolkits
Policy Toolkits (in progress!)
Listserv for Market Managers
the market beet newsletter
On the FMC Web Site…
• Upcoming & Archived Webinars
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/information-marketplace
• Market Manager FAQs and Videoshttp://farmersmarketcoalition.org/managerfaqs
• Latest newshttp://farmersmarketcoalition.org/category/news
• Talking Points & FM Week Resourceshttp://farmersmarketcoalition.org/membership/markets-are-up-campaign
