2015 By the Numbers
Posted On: December 29, 2015
FMC is a coalition of 1,065 supporting members representing more than 4,000 farmers markets and an estimated 40,000 producers nationwide. Thanks to the inspiring work of our members, board members, staff, partners and supporters, there are many more numbers to celebrate this year:
$64.8 million in federal grant funds were provided to 407 grantees to improve and expand farmers markets and federal nutrition program access at markets, through 4 USDA programs created with FMC assistance or support: the Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants (FMSSG), the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the Food Insecurity Nutrition Assistance Program (FINI).
$60,000 in farmers market vouchers were provided to kids participating in FMC’s farmers market education program the Power of Produce (POP) Club. This year, Chipotle Mexican Grill sponsored POP Clubs at 30 FMC members markets across the country.
1,000+ FMC listserv subscribers, allowing market managers to share lessons learned and best practices directly with their peers on a daily basis.
284 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers were approved for FMC’s Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program in 2015. This program is offered in partnership with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to help expand access to fresh food for low income Americans, while supporting local farmers.
4,601 pounds of food were preserved at the 30 markets participating in the Discover Market Fresh food preservation program. 30,000 market attendees learned how to vacuum seal food and make favorite recipes so they may share the fun of food preservation with others and enjoy the tastes of seasonal foods throughout the year.
1,500 farmers responded to a national survey that FMC created with the American Farmland Trust to understand how the increase in number of farmers markets is impacting the people, economic viability, products and farming practices of the agricultural community.
9 farmers markets are in their second year of pilot testing data collection and communication methods tailored for market operators, through a USDA Agriculture and Food Research (AFRI) Grant in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
15,200+ followers on facebook and twitter. FMC is keeping the public up to date on farmers market news, policies, and new initiatives.
1,107 entries into FMC’s National Farmers Market Week Instagram contest. Market managers, customers and farmers donned ‘I Heart Farmers Markets’ temporary tattoos, and shared their best photos with the hashtag #MoretoMarket. We were overwhelmed with market love!
2015 was a stellar year at FMC, and we couldn’t have accomplished so much without you! We are committed to making 2016 even better, will you help?
