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Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
After Charlottesville
Honesta Romberger August 18, 2017The events that took place in Charlottesville have the whole country asking questions about our history and the systems that have facilitated implicit and—increasingly—overt racism to persist. One thing is clear: we can and must do more to understand each other. I don’t pretend that farmers markets are the solution to the country’s divisions, but…
A SNAPshot of Successful Farmers Markets Across the United States
Honesta Romberger August 7, 2017Take a tour of market successes! In recognition of National Farmers Market Week, the Farmers Market Coalition is excited to present a series of Farmers Market Success Stories featuring markets from across the country working to improve access to fresh, local products for low-income community members. Successful markets share tips and best practices for growing…
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Proclaims National Farmers Market Week
Honesta Romberger August 3, 2017WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2017 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has proclaimed Aug. 6-13 to be National Farmers Market Week. This is the eighteenth year USDA has supported local producers by encouraging families to meet, and buy from, the farmers and other vendors at their local farmers market. The proclamation Perdue signed notes farmers…
A Look at Farmers Markets and Advocacy for Today and Tomorrow
Honesta Romberger August 2, 2017As Congress begins its August recess, we’re taking stock of the advocacy work accomplished so far in 2017, and charting the course for the year to come. Based on direction from the Farmers Market Coalition board of directors, the organization has increased our engagement in the the lead-up to the next Farm Bill. Earlier this…
FMC Testifies Before U.S. House Committee on Agriculture
Honesta RombergerHundreds of ranchers and farmers from across Texas and the Southwest gathered on the campus of Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas yesterday for the first of three Farm Bill listening sessions scheduled during Congress’ August recess. These listening sessions allow members of the the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture to hear directly from…
Federal Reserve Report Highlights Economic Impact of Regional Food Systems
Honesta Romberger July 28, 2017Last week, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and the USDA, released a landmark study, Harvesting Opportunity The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities. The book-length report documents the sustained growth of the local-food sector, which is projected to increase to more than $20…
New POP Club Resources Now Available
Honesta Romberger July 24, 2017We listened to feedback from POP Club markets across the country and have updated the POP Club Toolkit for FMC Members! It now includes over 50 newly designed downloadable resources and guides. The popular Power of Produce (POP) Club provides a fun opportunity to engage younger customers in the farmers market through conversations directly with…
Some Quick Thoughts About Slow Food
Honesta Romberger July 19, 2017By Dar Wolnik, FMC Senior Researcher | darlene@farmersmarketcoalition.org BCFM Longmont Manager Genevieve Gross sporting FMC and SF temporary tattoos. Find a slew of other pics on my blog. Last week, I traveled to Denver to check out the inaugural Slow Food Nations event. I say inaugural, even though there was an impressive SF event held in…
#LoveMyMarket Instagram Contest Launches August 1st!
Honesta RombergerFMC’s #LoveMyMarket Instagram Contest launches August 1st! We’re challenging market lovers to post creative photos on Instagram incorporating FMC’s “I Heart Farmers Markets” temporary tattoos. The contest is designed to engage communities with their local markets and farmers, and provide markets with an inexpensive, fun, and easy way to allow customers and vendors to promote their market through word…
Congress Takes First Step to Preserve WIC FMNP
Honesta Romberger July 5, 2017By Alex Canepa, FMC Research and Education Director | alex@farmersmarketcoalition.org Farmers markets and recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) won a victory last week when the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations release its provisional (or “marker”) agricultural appropriations bill which preserves funding for the WIC Farmers Market…
