Data Collection Comfort Among Farmers Market Operators

Analysis of the level of comfort among farmers market operators for data collection

marketshare: Market Budget Scenario 1

Budget case study for a seasonal market with stall fees and sponsors. marketshare is a program of marketumbrella.org, which works to cultivate the field of public markets for public good. These free documents (called “shares”) are the best of “lessons learned” from public markets everywhere.

EBT Point of Sale Device: Categories Overview

EBT Point of Sale Device Category Overview

This document will help you familiarize yourself with the categories of devices available – wired, wireless, and mobile, and help you start your search for the right device based on your cellular connectivity needs. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it a recommendation – these devices are examples of what we see commonly occurring in the Market and Farm Stand community.

Please refer to our Market Discovery Process to dive deeper into factors that may influence your technology choice. If you are seeking free or low cost EBT equipment, there are a couple of options. First, several states offer Free Wireless EBT Equipment to eligible markets and farmers — refer to our nationwide state-by-state guide for more information on what your state’s program offers. Marketlink also offers free equipment for eligible markets and farmers, and more information can be found here. Remember, choosing the technology that works for your market before looking at cost as a sole decision factor is vital to your market’s EBT program.

If you’d like to share your market’s device or insights, please reach out to Katie@farmersmarketcoalition.org.

EBT Technology: Market Discovery Process

EBT Technology: Your Market’s Discovery Process

Your process in choosing a Third Party Processor (TPP, or sometimes referred to as a “Merchant Service Provider”) and device (whether it’s a tablet or a payment terminal) to process EBT can be tricky and depends on a wide range of factors. At worst, rushing into the wrong agreement may create huge problems down the road. Understanding your model’s specific needs are crucial for this process for choosing the right Third Party Processor and corresponding device. 

This document includes a list of questions intended to jumpstart your thinking on specific EBT technology needs at your market or on your farm — it’s best used in conjunction with real feedback from farmers and market operators who use particular devices, or have faced similar challenges. Reach out to technical assistance providers in your area, email katie@farmersmarketcoalition.org, or share questions through FMC’s listserv for specifics. 

Report: Toward Market Cities: Lessons on Supporting Public Market Systems from Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Toronto

Public markets systems in North America are both agile and fragile. When the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread stay-at-home orders and business closures, many markets across the continent stayed open, continuing to safely provide fresh and healthy food to residents as supply chains were strained and serve as an economic lifeline to farmers and other producers. This contribution to the resilience of our communities often took place despite limited, uncoordinated support from all levels of government.

It was in this extreme context that the Market Cities Initiative at Project for Public Spaces undertook this research effort to kickstart citywide market strategies in three North American cities—Seattle, Washington, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With support from The Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Foundation, Project for Public Spaces provided each city with pro bono technical assistance and a small planning grant to audit each city’s existing market system, identify challenges and opportunities, and convene a broad group of stakeholders to advocate for new policy and governance structures.

This report includes background on the Market Cities Initiative and its research efforts to date, summaries of each local partner’s findings and recommendations, and broad takeaways for other cities looking to strengthen their market systems or leading their own Market City process.

Webinar: Raise Money and Build Community with Engaging Online Fundraising

July 29. 2020

Presentation slides

Panelists:
Caroline Fiore, Farm Aid Development Manager
Nora Chovanec, Texas Farmers Market Deputy Director

In this webinar host by the Farmers Market Coalition, Caroline Fiore, Development Manager at Farm Aid, will guide market leaders on a variety of techniques and strategies for online fundraising, including hosting effective and engaging online events. Community members are looking for ways to support local food systems and the essential services of farmers markets. Implementing online fundraising events and campaigns can be a great way to fund additional costs of PPE, market staff, and strengthen the financial sustainability of your market.

Participants will learn how they can engage with donors in their community, increase funding for their markets, and make giving online fun for everyone!

We’ll also be joined by Nora Chovanec of Texas Farmers Market, who will share her experience running a successful online fundraising campaign to cover increasing costs during the pandemic.

Market operators will leave the workshop with an understanding of how to raise funds to support their markets via a variety of online methods–just in time for National Farmers Market Week! The presentation will wrap up with an open discussion and Q&A.

Watch the Recording

Creating a Farmers Market Living Lab: Lessons Learned in Growing a Farmers Market

This booklet is the result of asking the question, “What can we do to increase sales and attendance at our market?”, reports the results from using our market as a “living lab” to systematically test ideas to answer this question.

USDA Architectural Service Technical Assistance Request Form

A form to request services from USDA AMS’ Wholesale Market Design Architectural Services consisting of initial design and plan evaluation for the construction or remodeling of wholesale markets, farmers markets, public markets and food hubs.

Virginia Farmers Market Association Resources

VAFMA has compiled and categorized highly useful resources for market managers and staff to aid in regulating and running market. Via on their website resources page, information, guides, tips, posts, and presentations are broken down into:

1. Building Market Success
2. Market Manager Development
3. Food Access Impact
4. Food Safety
5. Outreach & Social Media
6. Market Programs

UNL Food Vendors/Farmers Markets Food Safety Guidelines

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has made available food safety resources for temporary food service vendors.

Links include the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture’s Guidelines for Farmers Markets, a UNL Food Processing Center report on Farmers Market Food Safety, and the NebGuide G1706 Food Safety for Farmers Markets.

Access these helpful resources on this UNL Food webpage.