Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
Farmers Markets Need Support to Collect More Data
Honesta Romberger December 18, 2018FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Honesta Romberger Email: honesta@farmersmarketcoalition.org Phone: 717-443-8723 Farmers Markets Need Support to Collect More Data December 18, 2018 – Collecting data at farmers markets is not a new endeavor. But until recently, the data was largely collected and used by researchers, often to understand the role farmers markets play in the…
FMC Analysis: Why the 2018 Farm Bill is Good for Farmers Markets
Honesta Romberger December 13, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org After months of inaction and political maneuvering, Congress has hit the gas on the farm bill, introducing the Farm Bill Conference Report late Monday night, and then holding votes in both the Senate and House on Tuesday and Wednesday. The report represents the final compromise between the…
Farm Bill Good for Farmers Markets, Family Farmers, & Local Food
Honesta Romberger December 11, 2018FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Honesta Romberger Email: honesta@farmersmarketcoalition.org Phone: 717-443-8723 Farm Bill Good for Farmers Markets, Family Farmers, and Local Food December 11, 2018 – After months of delay and disagreement, Congress finally released the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report, the compromise between the House and Senate versions, late Monday night. In a surprise…
How Farmers Markets Can Respond to the Romaine Lettuce Scare
Honesta Romberger December 5, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org Just prior to Thanksgiving, the CDC and FDA took the unusual step of warning shoppers to avoid all romaine lettuce, stating “Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away.” The advice came as a response…
FMC Perspective: Food Safety at Farmers Markets
Honesta Romberger November 16, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org You may have seen the recent study released by Penn State University on food safety at farmers markets. As the study gained attention from various news outlets, members and supporters reached out to us with concerns about the way it was being reported. Some news stories contained…
Help Us Make Markets, Farmers, & Communities Stronger
Honesta Romberger November 12, 2018Twelve years ago, the Farmers Market Coalition began as a small group of farmers market managers, coming together to support the growing movement dedicated to local food. Since then, FMC has expanded into a diverse network of leaders from every state, and a resource center for local food professionals. We have become a powerful voice for farmers markets,…
FMC Announces 2nd Round of SNAP Mini-Grants
Honesta Romberger November 8, 2018Earlier this month, we announced the first recipients of FMC’s SNAP Mini-Grant Program, and opened up the program to applicants nationwide. The program was created to aid farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers impacted by the impending shutdown of Novo Dia Group, the country’s largest processor of SNAP EBT at farmers markets. After more careful consideration, we are…
FMC 2018 State of the Market Organization Survey
Honesta Romberger November 7, 2018CLICK HERE to take the survey We want to learn more about your market organization! Each year, FMC receives scores of questions from market organizations, researchers, reporters, and funders seeking more information about how farmers markets across the country operate. Will you take a few minutes to complete FMC’s 2018 State of the Market Organization online survey?…
Farm Bill Update: Countdown to the Midterm Election
Honesta Romberger October 22, 2018by Ben Feldman, FMC Policy Director | ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org We are now 22 days past the expiration date of the 2014 Farm Bill, and with both chambers of Congress now on recess through the midterm elections, critical food and agriculture programs remain in limbo. The hope is still that Congress can pass a farm bill during the…
FMC Goes to Farm Aid
Honesta Romberger October 17, 2018By Liz Comiskey, FMC Membership & Operations Director | liz@farmersmarketcoalition.org When the famous people talk about farmers markets, people listen. The Farmers Market Coalition was invited to participate in Farm Aid’s 33rd annual festival last month to share the power of farmers markets, and to feature posters from our National Farmers Market Poster Contests. I…