Gillette Saturday Farmers Market, Wyoming

Posted On: June 28, 2018

Year Founded: 2010

Market Season: Saturdays, July- October (8 am- 12:30 pm); one Saturday a month, November-June (9 am- noon)

State: Wyoming

Mission Statement: The Gillette Farmers’ Market seeks to build a vibrant and inclusive community market that promotes the development of our regional food system; supports local farmers, ranchers, producers, and artisans; and provides high quality food to all residents of our community.

NFMW Plans: “We will kick off our 2018 National Farmers Market Week celebration by asking our City Council to proclaim August 5-11 as National Farmers Market Week on Tuesday, August 7. On Saturday, August 11, market will host our 2nd Annual Cookware Donation Drive, sponsor an extra fun POP club, give away free “I Love Farmers Markets” tattoos from FMC, and initiate a story telling photo project asking customers to tell us why they love shopping at market (that we can use for promotion all season long). Customers who participate in our free loyalty program will receive a double punch on their card so they can earn their free tote bag a little faster. We are also trying to find a local food truck that will feature products sold at market.”- Megan McManamen, Co-Market Manager and SNAP Coordinator

About the Market: The Gillette Saturday Farmers’ Market is a volunteer-run market that seeks to promote the development of our regional food system; support local farmers, ranchers, producers, and artisans; and provide high quality food to all residents of our community. In 2015, Share the Harvest was launched to deliver excess produce from market to our community soup kitchen, food pantry, and emergency shelter. Share the Harvest has since grown into a multifaceted community-based program that also includes: SNAP Incentive Program (we will match what SNAP customers spend $1 for $1 up to $20 on any SNAP purchase); Annual Cookware Drive; Free Budget-friendly Cooking Demonstrations and Taste Tests; Edible Garden Planting Day; Little Free Pantries; and Power of Produce Club for children. Share the Harvest attempts to address food insecurity in our community by increasing access to and availability of nutritious and local food, and was designed to help create a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, and locally-based food system. We’re also offering an incentive to WIC customers this year – show us your WIC card and get $10 in tokens to spend at our market. Currently, Wyoming does not participate in the WIC FMNP, and we are working with the state to allow WIC clients to use their WIC benefits at market. In the meantime, our market wanted to welcome WIC shoppers and we figured this was they best way to get around red tape!

Statistic or Market Accomplishment: Our customers named us as one of the top ten markets in the nation during American Farmland Trust’s 2017 Annual Farmers Market Celebration.