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Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
FMC is Planning for the Future! And We Want Your Input.
Honesta Romberger May 30, 2019Dear FMC Members, Our field is one of constant change. The needs of farmers market operators are always in flux and as the only national voice for farmers markets, it is important that our work reflects the changing landscape. With that in mind, one task the FMC board has set for me as Interim Executive…
USDA Announces Farmers Market & Local Food Promotion Program Application Period Now Open
Honesta Romberger April 18, 2019Read USDA’s press release below. FMC will follow-up shortly with more information and tips for applying. April 18, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $23 million in competitive grant funding to support the development and expansion of local and regional food markets, enterprises and producer-to-consumer marketing. The Farmers Market and Local…
Get Ready for the 2019 National Farmers Market Poster Contest!
Honesta Romberger April 12, 2019Get those posters ready – the Farmers Market Coalition is once again teaming up with Farm Aid to host the 2019 National Farmers Market Poster Contest, April 29th – May 31th! Now in its 5th year, the annual contest celebrates the creativity and diversity of America’s farmers markets by showcasing market posters on a national level. For…
99 Members of Congress Sign-On in Support of WIC FMNP
Honesta Romberger April 4, 2019by Ben Feldman, FMC Executive Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.orgThanks to the hard work and advocacy of FMC members and partners, Congress made a strong show of support for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Led by Representatives Adriano Espiallat, and Barbara Lee, 99 members of Congress signed on to the letter, asking the House Agriculture Appropriations…
FMC and MerchantSource® Partner to Cut SNAP and Credit Card Equipment Costs up to 50% for Farmers Markets
Honesta RombergerFarmers Market Coalition is excited to announce a new partnership with MerchantSource® to provide FMC members with significantly discounted wireless SNAP, credit, and debit card processing equipment and solutions. “The Farmers Market Coalition is committed to providing outstanding tools and services to our members and it is our belief that MerchantSource® shares that commitment,” said…
Call to Action: Tell Congress to Support WIC FMNP
Honesta Romberger March 18, 2019Last week, the President’s FY 2020 budget was released, proposing significant cuts to USDA programs, including eliminating funding for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP). In response, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) are leading a letter to demonstrate support for the Program among members of the House. Known as a…
Pittsburgh Releases Farmers Market Study with FMC Recommendations
Honesta Romberger March 14, 2019by Dar Wolnik, FMC Senior Advisor | darlene@farmersmarketcoalition.org Over the past year and half, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) has been working with the City of Pittsburgh to analyze the more than two-dozen markets that serve residents in the summer months. FMC staff reviewed published reports on the regional food system, conducted interviews with direct marketing producers,…
President’s Budget Proposes Elimination of WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Honesta Romberger March 13, 2019by Ben Feldman, FMC Executive Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Earlier this week, the President’s FY 2020 budget was released, proposing significant cuts to USDA programs, including eliminating funding for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP). While farmers market programs fare better than in previous presidential budget proposals, eliminating the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program…
Remembering Farmer Dustin Rathgeber
Honesta Romberger March 7, 2019Over the years, we here at FMC have had the great privilege of collaborating, supporting, and working shoulder to shoulder with market leaders and producers from across the country — the many inspiring individuals dedicated to improving our nation’s local food systems. One of those exceptional people was farmer Dustin Rathgeber. While working on a…
The Evolution of the CSA – Part 2: Looking to the Future
Honesta Romberger February 19, 2019by Dar Wolnik, FMC Senior Advisor | darlene@farmersmarketcoalition.org Why are CSA sales declining? In many areas of the country, CSAs are reporting declining sales and that the overall number of returning customers is also slipping. In Part 1 of this two-part blog series, FMC Senior Advisor Darlene Wolnik examined the origins of the CSA movement in the U.S…
