As a newly approved 1% partner, FMC contributes to a healthier planet by strengthening the growing number of farmers markets in the United States, fostering a community of practice for grassroots organizations dedicated to supporting local agriculture and educating communities about food, farming, and sustainability.

USDA is incorporating the directory database into its next round of GIS mapping applications on local and regional food systems as part of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. And researchers, community planners, public health officials and other stakeholders use the information listed in the directory as an input for further analysis of business development, food distribution and food access issues about local markets, and more.

This past Friday, I had the privilege to welcome back a  farmer to one of our markets.  This was a  gentleman whose farm sustained nearly 90% crop loss in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last fall. At the end of last season, we weren’t sure if he would return to market– not just for this [...]

The $4 million is being distributed to states using an allocation formula based on the number of markets not accepting SNAP at present. In a memorandum to Regional SNAP and Field Operations Offices, the Food and Nutrition Service explains that allowable costs for the funds (covered at 100%) include the purchase or lease of wireless POS equipment and monthly wireless access fees associated with using that equipment. “States may choose to provide wireless POS equipment that also accepts commercial credit and debit cards, without being required to cost-allocate the cost of equipment or its flat monthly service fees,” provided that markets themselves bear the cost of debit or credit transaction fees unrelated to SNAP wireless access.

Since that time I have gone on to become the full time Market Manager of Portland Farmers Market in Portland, Oregon. Each market day, I am reminded of why I fell for farmers markets in the first place. Some of my favorite market scenes take place even before the market opens: vendors unloading their trucks, early shoppers and chefs looking over produce in anticipation of our opening bell, a rancher with a whole spring lamb slung over his shoulder, vendors lending a hand for late arriving neighbors, the eight year old daughter of a flower grower delivering a monstrous bouquet, seemingly larger than herself, to our market info booth…and the list goes on.

Six years ago, a small group of farmers market organizers from around the country formed the first board of directors of the Farmers Market Coalition.  We saw tremendous need in our home states for a leadership organization that would champion the cause of providing farmers and consumers with a marketplace to meet and share the [...]

On Thursday, April 26th , the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a Farm Bill with a 16-5 vote, after a series of difficult choices and bipartisan compromise. The Farmers Market Coalition commends the committee, led by Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, (D-Michigan) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, (R-Kansas), for their efforts to take long-needed steps to reform and improve the nation’s food policy.

Six weeks from today, the Farmers Market Coalition will celebrate its sixth anniversary. So it’s with a great sense of purpose that today, I am announcing the launch of FMC’s 2012 Spring Campaign. Between now and this special anniversary on June 6th, the board has a goal of raising $20,000 to help FMC start its next fiscal year on the right foot. The Farmers Market Coalition is not a coalition without the investment of everyone who wants to see farmers markets grow stronger and more sustainable with every season. This is why I volunteer my time with FMC, and why I make a contribution every year to support a voice for this important national movement.

…The Farmers Market Promotion Program would increase to $20 million per year for 2013 to 2017, and become the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, to develop, improve, expand, and provide outreach, training, and technical assistance for
(A) Direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities; and
(B) Local and regional food enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, store, and market locally or regionally produced food products.

As the sentiments that inspired Occupy Wall Street live in the hearts of those lucky enough to work daily in support of viable local economies, I am proud to announce that this spring, FMC is putting its money where its mouth is. After significant research led by FMC’s Past President and acting Treasurer Sharon Yeago, and a unanimous vote by the full board, FMC is officially moving its money from Bank of America to New Resource Bank (NRB).