California Contacts
California Alliance of Farmers Markets
California Farmers Market Association
SNAP Info & Contacts
Program Name/EBT Card Name: CalFresh/Golden State Advantage Card
Current contractor: Xerox State and Local Solutions, Inc. (Conduent)
The California Department of Social Services provides free wireless EBT terminals to eligible farmers markets, and covers both wireless and transaction fees associated with managing the SNAP program. Credit/debit fees (if utilized) must be paid by the farmers market. Program support materials (banners, etc.) are available through the Ecology Center.
California Ag Department
California Department of Food and Agriculture Certified Farmers Markets
FMNP & SFMNP
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Contact:
Crystal G. Myers, SFMNP Director
FAX: (916) 657-4240
Email: Crystal.myers@cdfa.ca.gov
or
Monica Pedigo, SFMNP Coordinator
Phone: (916)-403-6534
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Christine Nelson, WIC Director
Phone: (916) 928-8806
Fax: (916) 928-8341
Toll Free: 1-888-WICWORKS or 1-888-942-9675
VOC Contact: 1-800-852-5770
Email: Christine.Nelson@cdph.ca.gov
or
Cydney Mayo, FMNP Coordinator
Phone: (916) 928-8681
California News/Case Studies
Farmers Markets as Part of Disaster Resilience
Hannah Fuller October 28, 2020While wildfires are a natural occurrence, over the past decade we have witnessed years of record breaking recurring wildfires throughout the US, with 2020 being a particular devastating year for communities throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and neighboring states. News coverage of the millions of acres burned is fading, but the effects of disasters of… Read More
Sharing Our Values and Standing Up Against Racism — Guest Post from Napa Farmers Market
Hannah Fuller August 6, 2020The following is a guest blog post by Cara Mae Wooledge, MPH, Market Manager of Napa Farmers Market for National Farmers Market Week. During the week, we are recognizing the important work of farmers market operators as leaders in their communities. Active initiatives towards equity and inclusion are vital components of FMC’s mission to strengthen… Read More
Standing Together Against Racism: Black Lives Matter
Stephanie Fenty June 3, 2020Over the past week, the United States has been shaken by the deep inequities rooted within our justice system that have continued to destroy the lives of Black Americans like George Floyd. In the past, the Farmers Market Coalition has largely remained silent on matters of race and injustice. We will do so no longer.… Read More
NFMW 2019: Celebrating Entrepreneurship at Farmers Markets
Stephanie Fenty August 4, 2019This National Plant-Based Foods Company’s Best Launch Pad? The Farmer’s Market How Hodo went from farmers market favorite to national powerhouse National Farmers Market Week is finally here, and we are highlighting one of the many examples of entrepreneurs who started at farmers markets. Hodo is a perfect example of how farmers markets can stimulate… Read More
FMC on the Road: California, Oregon, Alaska, and Massachusetts
Stephanie Fenty March 28, 2019February and March were busy for FMC staff, who have been traveling to conferences from coast to coast meeting with farmers market leaders, hearing the issues facing the local food sector, as well as learning about potential solutions. We’ve also been presenting the lessons we’ve gained working with markets, offering the tools, methods, and technical… Read More
Fran Drescher’s Master Class Health Summit- October 23, 2018
Allie Vrtachnik August 21, 2018“Fran Drescher’s Master Class Health Summit is a mind-expanding, life-changing day that gives you the tools to prevent, reduce, and reverse dis-ease. We hand-select doctors and medical experts making exciting inroads in their fields. Instead of focusing on symptoms and treating those, we help you look at your health from a holistic point of view.… Read More
CUESA Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, California
Allie Vrtachnik June 28, 2018Year Founded: 1993 Market Season: Saturdays, January- December (8 am- 2 pm) State: California Mission Statement: CUESA is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through the operation of farmers markets and educational programs. NFMW Plans: “Promotion in social media and within the farmers market.” – Brie Mazurek, Communications Director About the Market: This year, CUESA is celebrating 25 years of… Read More
Gotta Move That Market? It Can Be Done.
Darlene Wolnik May 28, 2018by Darlene Wolnik. darlene@farmersmarketcoalition.org Here is a great article from Catt Fields White who is the founder and CEO of the San Diego Markets, on a recent 4-year “temporary” move for one of her markets, Little Italy Mercato. As she says in here, “Cue muffled sobs.” The “pod” idea explained in the article is interesting and I… Read More
From Coast to Coast: A Snapshot of the 2018 Farmers Market Poster Contest
Allie Vrtachnik May 25, 2018The 2018 National Farmers Market Poster Contest has come to a close, folks! The deadline for poster submissions was May 15th, but you still have till until May 31st to act as a judge for the Fan Favorite award. Your vote counts as a ‘like’ for your local market or favorite submission. Browse the contest… Read More
Welcome, New FMC Board Members!
Honesta Romberger February 19, 2018FMC is pleased to welcome seven new additions to the Board of Directors. This year, the election resulted in a tie for the sixth spot, and since FMC’s bylaws permit adding seven members, the Board decided to include both candidates. Our new Directors are: Adrienne Akers, Kokomo Downtown Farmers Market, IN (photo 1) Corey Chatman, Experimental… Read More
InTents Conference is Intent on Increasing Profits at Farmers Markets
Liz Comiskey February 5, 2018The annual InTents Conference helps small farmers and food makers increase profits and reduce stress by honing their farmers’ market business skills. Sessions cover inventory management, costing, packaging, marketing, effective displays, staff training, expansion funding and more on February 26th and 27th in San Diego, California, with an additional day of sessions on Sunday, February 25th specifically for start ups. Limited to 350 attendees from throughout… Read More
San Diego Farmers Markets: “We work for food!”
Allie Vrtachnik January 8, 2018Dear FMC virtual market-goer, Greetings from the San Diego Markets! We’re taking over FMC’s Instagram for the duration of two weeks to share with you a look into our three weekly farmers’ markets: Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers’ Market, North Park Thursday Market, and the Little Italy Mercato, plus our educational InTents Conference (February 26-27, 2018) for… Read More
Santa Monica Farmers Markets- Four Californian Food Destinations
Allie Vrtachnik November 22, 2016Our 2016 Guest Instagramming season is still going strong with our next featured market- or should I say markets? For growers, California in general is an envy inducing state with varied climate and terrain that nurtures extended and bountiful seasons. Santa Monica Farmers Markets takes full advantage of the talented California farmers whose offering… Read More
Orange Home Grown Farmers Market: It Takes a Village
Allie Vrtachnik November 7, 2016A college campus is always bustling with commotion, but every Saturday morning, Chapman University is consumed by market activity. Orange Homegrown Farmers and Artisan Market, located at an old citrus packinghouse owned by Chapman, swarms and ebbs with distinct touches of community. The market has an outcropping of support, from local chefs, volunteers, and other organizations,… Read More
2016 FINI Grant Awardees Announced
Honesta Romberger June 10, 2016This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the awardees of $16.8 million in competitive grants to help SNAP (formally food stamps) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The funding comes from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food… Read More
Meet Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Honesta Romberger April 13, 2016There are many reasons to love San Francisco. The culture, the architecture, the history and diversity – it’s safe to say there are not many places that hold a candle to the uncommon energy that makes the city so magical. Located along the waters of this historic San Francisco Bay, the vibe at Ferry Plaza… Read More
Meet Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets
Liz Comiskey February 8, 2016Kelly Smith, executive director of Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets (ACEFM) is joining us for the next two weeks as our Guest Instagrammer! Operating 13 markets in Sonoma and Marin Counties, ACEFM will give us a peek into their year-round multi-market success. Farmers Market Coalition: Tell us a little bit about the history of ACEFM.… Read More
**Updated** Congratulations to FMC Member FMPP and FMSSG Awardees!
Liz Comiskey October 9, 2015The awardees of the 2015 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the first ever Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants (FMSSG) were announced last week! Check out all of the FMC members that were awarded below. Many FMC members will also benefit from grant projects within their community networks; you… Read More
#MoretoMarket Instagram Contest Winners!
Liz Comiskey September 4, 2015We at FMC want to extend an enormous THANK YOU to all the markets, farmers, shoppers and fans for participating in our #MoretoMarket Instagram Contest! With over 1,000 submissions, your efforts highlighted the love of farmers markets on a global media platform – and hopefully inspired a wave of curious followers to get out and… Read More
FMC Supports the 2014 Farm Bill
Jen O'Brien January 29, 2014Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) joins fellow local food advocates in reluctantly supporting this bipartisan Farm Bill. There are a number of aspects of the pending bill that hurt SNAP families and very unfortunately, remove the sound language in the core legislation on payment limits for large farmers. Despite these issues, the bill offers substantial support… Read More
2013 Discover You Can Participants Announced
Liz Comiskey April 26, 2013We are excited to announce the winners of the 2013 Discover You Can Learn Make Share℠ program. Thirty FMC member farmers market organizations have been selected by the Farmers Market Coalition and Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball® Brand Fresh Preserving Products, to take part in this summer’s canning education program. The selected 30 organizations… Read More
