Press Releases

Farmers Market Coalition Announces New Executive Director Charisse McGill to Lead National Organization Serving 8,000+ Markets Across America

July 27, 2023 – Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) today announced that Charisse McGill will serve as the organization’s new Executive Director. McGill was hired by the Board of Directors after a nationwide search. McGill will lead the national non-profit that is dedicated to strengthening and supporting 8,000+ farmers markets across the United States, while providing real income opportunities for farmers and expanding access in local communities. This exciting news comes just in time for the launch of National Farmers Market Week (NFMW), which runs from August 6 to 12, 2023. . [Keep Reading]

Increasing Food Access through Farmers Market Implementation and Education with Underserved Community Focus: 1890 University Partnership between the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farmers Market Coalition

December 22, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) are excited to announce their cooperative agreement partnership to support the establishment of farmers markets at 1890 land-grant universities. The first phase of this project, our team is partnering with Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia to develop and pilot an on-campus farmers markets. [Keep Reading]

American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition Announce Winners of the 14th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration

September 22, 2022 – American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition announce the winners of the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a national event that ran between June 21 – September 19, 2022. Markets receiving the most public votes are declared the national winners. The Celebration also recognizes top markets in five regions nationwide and in all 50 states. More than 2000 markets nationwide participated in the 2022 celebration with over ten million supporters engaged through voting, visiting the celebration website and engaging with the celebration on social media. [Keep Reading]

Farmers Market Week Goes Global! National Farmers Market Coalition Partners With The World Farmers Markets Coalition To Expand 23rd Annual Farmers Market Week

July 14, 2022 – The national Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is excited to announce a partnership with the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WFMC) in the celebration of Farmers Market Week on August 7th – 13th, 2022. In its 23rd year, National Farmers Market Week is led annually by FMC and is a fixture of the summer season for farmers markets across the United States. FMC is thrilled to invite WFMC to join in the celebrations this year and take National Farmers Market Week to an international scale. WFMC is a budding organization that brings together farmers market coalitions, associations and support organizations in nations around the world. [Keep Reading]

American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition Kick Off 14th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration With $10,000 in Prizes 

June 21, 2022 – American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) kick off the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC) today– the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the United States as voted on by the public. The 14th annual AFMC will run between June 20 and September 19, 2022, on markets.farmland.org. The summer-long event is a fun competition that helps farmers markets across the country earn national recognition and local prestige. Markets can join the celebration and encourage their customers to vote, an excellent marketing tool and a pathway to winning a piece of the $10,000 prize pool. [Keep Reading]

Announcing the Launch of the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit

April 4, 2022 – The national Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is excited to announce the launch of the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit, a toolkit for farmers market operators that provides tools to help farmers market operators make progress toward becoming anti-racist managers of anti-racist markets. The Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit was developed by a group of Black food systems leaders and farmers market managers with support from Farmers Market Coalition. This toolkit offers ways for farmers market operators to put the concepts of anti-racism into practice and action within their farmers markets. [Keep Reading]

Announcing the Launch of the Farm Direct Nutrition Incentives Guide Site

December 6, 2021 – The national Farmers Market Coalition is excited to announce the
launch of the Farm Direct Nutrition Incentives Guide Site (www.farmdirectincentives.guide), a
comprehensive library that contains hundreds of resources for operators running Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefits Transfer and nutrition incentives through
farmers markets, community supported agriculture, farm stands and mobile markets across the
country. This is a project of the Nutrition Incentive Hub and a collaborative effort between
Farmers Market Coalition, Ecology Center, and Michigan Farmers Market Association along with
hundreds of other organizations who contributed resources: [Keep Reading]

21st Annual National Farmers Market Week Celebrates the Resilience and Safety of Farmers Markets During the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 27, 2020 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, announces the launch of its nationwide campaign for the 21st annual National Farmers Market Week on August 2nd – 8th, 2020. National Farmers Market Week is a celebration started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the essential role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. The campaign runs throughout the first full week of August each year and is formally declared by a USDA proclamation. This year, National Farmers Market Week is sponsored by Square, Farm Credit Council, American Farmland Trust, Farm Aid, the Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP), and the Farm Board.

FMC’s 2020 National Farmers Market Week campaign is designed to address the specific ways farmers markets continue to be an essential part of local food systems. This year, NFMW is centered on three key messages. First, farmers markets are essential businesses. Local food systems with short supply chains are resilient and dependable in making food available to their communities, and provide an essential service to the communities they feed as well as the farmers and ranchers that rely on them. Second, farmers market operators are local food heroes. When the pandemic hit, market managers were some of the first to implement innovative strategies to change their operations around public health protocols. Despite that fact, market operators are often left out of relief efforts for food systems workers. Third, farmers markets are safe. Emerging research supports that outdoor marketplaces like farmers markets can be safer than alternative indoor retailers due to unlimited air circulation, sunlight, the flexibility to enforce social distancing by spreading out vendors and products. Farmers Market operators continue to implement new strategies to keep their communities, staff, and vendors safe. [Keep Reading] 

Senate Stimulus Bill Extends $9.5 Billion Lifeline to Local Food Economy
Farmers Market Coalition urges swift movement in the House to keep national farm and food system strong

Washington, D.C., March 25, 2020 – After an all-night negotiation, the Senate today passed a two trillion-dollar stimulus package; the third COVID-19 stimulus package to date. The bill includes $9.5 billion to support “agricultural producers impacted by coronavirus, including producers of specialty crops, producers that supply local food systems, including farmers markets, restaurants, and schools, and livestock producers, including dairy producers.” In response to the Senate’s publication of their third stimulus bill, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) issued the following statement: [Keep Reading]

Family Farms and Farmers Markets Are Essential
Farmers Market Coalition urges federal, state, and local leaders to protect our nation’s food producers and farmers markets through federal stimulus and clear operational guidelines.

March 18, 2020 – Congress is close to passing its second multi-billion dollar stimulus package and is hard at work on a third – this one focused on small businesses. As a national nonprofit organization providing support to 1,200 market organizations representing nearly half of all farmers markets in the United States, Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) urges Congress to ensure that the next stimulus package explicitly includes support for family farm businesses and farmers
markets. Farmers markets are a vital economic force in America, both locally and nationally, accounting for $711 million in sales annually. By providing much-needed relief in the next stimulus package, Congress can keep the economic engine of America’s farmers markets humming, while also providing much needed food access to consumers across the country. [Keep Reading]

Farmers Market Coalition, Ecology Center, and Michigan Farmers Market Association Partner to Provide SNAP Training and Technical Assistance to Federal GusNIP Grantees

November 8, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture has selected Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition (GSCN) to lead evaluation and training and technical assistance to GusNIP grantees. As part of the project, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) will coordinate efforts to provide training and technical assistance to farmers markets and other farm direct retailers in collaboration with the Berkeley, California-based Ecology Center, Michigan Farmers Market Association, and Fair Food Network.

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP, formerly the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program) supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program administers consumer incentives at the point of purchase — when a customer spends their SNAP benefits at these retailers, they can receive additional SNAP funds (often double) to purchase fruits and vegetables. [Keep Reading]

20th Annual National Farmers Market Week Highlights Benefits to Farmers & Food Businesses

July 16, 2019 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, announces the launch of its nationwide campaign for the 20th annual National Farmers Market Week on August 4th – 10th, 2019. National Farmers Market Week is a celebration started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. The campaign runs throughout the first full week of August each year and is formally declared by a USDA proclamation. This year, Farmers Market Coalition is joined by Farm Aid, Hodo Foods, and Yankee Candle as sponsors of the celebration.

FMC’s 2019 National Farmers Market Week campaign will highlight the important role that farmers markets play in fostering entrepreneurship. By providing a low-barrier to entry point, maximum return on investment, and immediate feedback on products, farmers markets serve as an innovation lab for small businesses. [Keep Reading] 

Farmers Market Coalition Announces 2019 National Poster Contest Winners

July 9, 2019 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national nonprofit organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, recently announced the winners of its annual poster contest. Sponsored by Farm Aid, the annual contest celebrates the creativity and diversity of America’s farmers markets by showcasing market posters on a national level.

“Each year, the National Farmers Market Poster Contests allows our community of farmers markets to creatively express the unique attributes of their markets, while also allowing us to emphasize the importance that promotion and advertising have on the success of farmers markets,” said Ben Feldman, Executive Director at Farmers Market Coalition. [Keep Reading]

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 broader food system. Over the last seven years, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) – a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets – has partnered with research institutions and market organizations to better understand how market organizations have begun to collect and use data. [Keep reading]

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 move, the Senate voted and passed the bill Tuesday evening, less than 24 hours after introduction. The bill avoids the worst of the House provision and instead leans heavily on the Senate version to include important wins for farmers markets, family farmers, and local food systems. Next up, the Conference Report will go to the House, where a vote is expected Wednesday or Thursday, and then to the President for his signature before the end of the week. [Keep reading]

National Farmers Market Coalition Awards Grants to Support SNAP at Farmers Markets
Farmers markets and farm stands impacted by Novo Dia Group shutdown can apply for funding by October 19

October 16, 2018 – The​ Farmers Market Coalition​ (FMC), a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, recently announced the first round of recipients of the SNAP Mini-Grant Program, a $500 grant program created to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) at farmers markets by offsetting operating costs, including payment processing equipment, marketing materials, and staff time. While the first round of applications was by invitation-only, FMC is now opening up the SNAP Mini-Grant Program to applicants nationwide. The due date to apply is October 19, 2018.

The SNAP Mini-Grant Program was initially created to provide financial aid to farmers markets and farm stands impacted by the shutdown of Novo Dia Group (NDG), the country’s largest processor of SNAP at farmers markets. Earlier this summer, the company announced its plans to go out of business July 31st, effectively terminating service to nearly 2,000 markets nationwide. [Keep reading]

National Farmers Market Week Highlights Benefits to Farmers & Communities
Farmers Market Coalition offers free resources to markets, media, and local food advocates for planning and promoting events

July 2, 2018 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, announces the launch of its annual campaign to prepare farmers markets (and media) nationwide for the 19th annual National Farmers Market Week (NFMW). NFMW is a celebration sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system.  The event is held during the first full week of August (August 5-11, 2018) and is formally announced with a USDA proclamation a few weeks in advance.

Each year, farmers markets across the country mark NFMW with special events celebrating the benefits of farmers markets for farmers, consumers, and the community as a whole. In preparation, FMC’s campaign provides more than 8,600 farmers markets nationwide with tools, guides and materials they can use to promote events at their markets, and educate their communities during the weeklong celebration. [Keep reading]

First-of-its-Kind National Summit Convenes Farmers Market Operators and Farmers
with Researchers and Technical Assistance Providers
Registration is open for the National Direct Agricultural Marketing Summit on September 15-18th, 2018, in Arlington, VA. Calls for Research and Outreach Poster proposals are due June 18th.

June 14, 2018 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is proud to partner with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Farm Credit, the Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) and National Value Added Conference (NVAC)  to offer the 2018 Direct Agricultural Marketing Summit. The Summit is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for farmers market operators and direct marketing farmers from across the country to come together with researchers, extension specialists, entrepreneurs, service providers, farmers, mission-focused investors, business operators, community practitioners, students, consultants, and government employees from state and Federal agencies. [Keep reading]

Farmers Market Coalition Statement of Opposition to House 2018 Farm Bill

May 7, 2018 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities, has joined more than 370 organizations in opposition of the House 2018 Farm Bill. [Keep reading]

Farmers Market Legal Toolkit Provides Free Resources to Build Strong, Accessible Markets for Communities

SOUTH ROYALTON, VT., Jan. 16, 2018––The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) at Vermont Law School, Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), and Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) today launched an online Farmers Market Legal Toolkit, a free resource to support building resilient and accessible markets throughout the United States. The toolkit, created with support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is available at farmersmarketlegaltoolkit.org. [Keep reading]

New Partnership will Enable Farmers Markets to Streamline & Enhance Operations
The Farmers Market Coalition and Farmspread have teamed up to provide farmers markets with integrated management and data collection tools

December 18, 2017- The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national nonprofit committed to strengthening farmers markets, has partnered with Farmspread, a farmers market vendor management website in an effort to provide farmers market managers, staff, and vendors the tools they need to operate a successful market. The two organizations have teamed up to offer FMC members a comprehensive membership package that includes a Farmspread account at a discounted rate. [Keep reading]

The 2017 Application Website for the SNAP EBT Equipment Program for Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers will Close on November 21st

November 15, 2017–Funding for free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) processing equipment for eligible farmers markets and farmers is available through the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in partnership with the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC). The Program has provided equipment necessary to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, to more than 1,600 farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers across the country. The 2017 application site will close on November 21, and USDA FNS anticipates reopening the program in 2018 at a date to be determined.  Interested farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers may apply online before the 2017 funding period closes on midnight on November 21, 2017. [Keep reading]

Local FARMS Act Puts Farmers Markets Front and Center
Farmers Market Coalition Praises Bipartisan Effort

October 13, 2017 – This month, a bipartisan coalition led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Sean Maloney (D-NY), introduced the Local Food and Regional Market Supply Act (the “Local FARMS Act”) to drive the 2018 Farm Bill’s promise to spur economic growth in rural communities while connecting all Americans to fresh, regionally-grown food. The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting farmers markets, joined National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), in praising the bipartisan coalition for prioritizing the development of new markets for farmers and expanded healthy food access for American families. [Keep reading]

USDA Awards $13.4 Million to Farmers Market Promotion Program Grantees
Funding supports projects promoting local food sales and consumption

October 3, 2017 – Last week, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded funds to the 2017 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grantees. The grants, totaling $13.4 million and funding 52 projects in 33 states, are intended to increase consumption of, and access to, locally produced agriculture products and develop new market opportunities for farms selling direct to the public through farmers markets and other similar outlets. [Keep reading]

Farmers Market Coalition Celebrates National Farmers Market Week

August 4, 2017 – This week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 6-12, 2017, as the 18th annual National Farmers Market Week (NFMW), a yearly celebration sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition, a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, commended USDA’s continued support of the event, citing ongoing public awareness efforts in support of local farmers and farmers markets as vital to their success. [Keep Reading]

Farmers Market Coalition Helps Markets Prepare for National Farmers Market Week
Campaign offers free tools for planning and promoting events

July 11, 2017 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets, announces the launch of its annual campaign to help farmers markets nationwide prepare for 18th annual National Farmers Market Week (NFMW, August 6-12), a yearly celebration sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. The campaign provides more than 8,600 farmers markets across the country with promotional tools, guides and materials they can use to promote events happening at their markets during the weeklong celebration. [Keep Reading]

Farmers Market Coalition Offers Free EBT Equipment for Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers – Program works to increase food access for families and income for local farmers

June 19, 2017 – The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets, announces funding available for free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) processing equipment offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program.  The program, administered by FMC and funded by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has provided equipment necessary to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) to more than 1,000 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers across the country. [Keep Reading]

Farmers Market Coalition Reports Successes of Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Program – Program increases fruit and vegetable consumption for low-income families, boosts revenue for farmers

May 2, 2017 – The​ F​armers Market Coalition ​(FMC), a national nonprofit committed to strengthening farmers markets, has released a report highlighting successes demonstrated in year-one of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program. A federally funded grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FINI is designed to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income customers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). While FINI funding is available to multiple types of produce retailers, incentive programs tested have proven to be especially successful at America’s farmers markets. [Keep Reading]