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FMC Submits Comments on Farmers Market Promotion Program
Jen O'Brien November 29, 2010In particular, the Agricultural Marketing Service wants to know whether the information it collects from applicants and grantees is necessary, whether they should require use of what are now Voluntary Narrative & Budget Forms, and how they can minimize burden on applicants and awardees. The Farmers Market Coalition has prepared a seven page letter in response to this request, and encourages its members to submit their own comments in support of these recommendations, or with specific input of their own.
Where the heart is: Relationships, trust, and transparency set farmers markets apart
Stacy October 28, 2010By Stacy Miller, Executive Director, Farmers Market Coalition Originally published on Civil Eats, October 27, 2010 On October 15th, the trade publication The Packer reported on an issue of growing concern for farmers market vendors and shoppers: grocery chains are copy-catting farmers markets by using “farmers market” signs outside of their stores. The Wall Street…
Driven by Values
Jen O'Brien October 13, 2010A Letter from the Board, by Michael Hurwitz, Director of New York City Greenmarket Early fall is my favorite time to walk through a farmers market in the Northeast: apples and pears share space with the lingering peaches and berries, and the last of the summer produce co-mingles with the first winter squash. The majestic…
Farmers and Markets Respond to Myths and Misconceptions
Jen O'BrienBy Stacy Miller, Executive Director At the beginning of the summer season, the Farmers Market Coalition sent an e-mail to members asking for their responses to an April letter sent by Senators McCain, Chambliss, and Roberts, expressing their disappointment in the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. They said,…
New FAQs Provide a Reference Point for Market Managers and Organizers
Jen O'BrienDuring National Farmers Market Week, FMC launched a new Frequently Asked Questions tool on its website, integrated with the Farmers Market Resource Library. During the month of August, there were nearly 1,500 visits to the FAQ page during August, and visitors spent an average of more than four minutes on the page, nearly twice as…
Farm To Table Tour Kicks of Farmers Market Week in Washington, DC
Stacy July 29, 2010Today, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour will sponsor an all-star chef line-up for its Washington D.C. event, hosted by the FRESHFARM Market by the White House (810 Vermont Avenue NW) on Thursday, July 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Why It’s Essential to Educate Every Day
Stacy July 14, 2010A Letter from the Board, by Cheryl DeBerry Most farmers market producers and coordinators are knee-deep (scratch that…we’re “neck-deep”) in market season at the moment. With all the planting, tending, harvesting, washing, packing, and hauling needed to get items to the market, then the setting up, selling, and tearing down at the end of the market, plus…
Defining ‘Farmers Market’ – The Devil is in the Details
StacyOne too many produce markets and grocery store chains have jumped on the marketing band wagon, capitalizing on growing consumer enthusiasm for local food, direct from farmers. Safeway’s ears must have been burning in Kirkland, Washington as farmers market advocates from across the country convened by conference call to discuss why Safeway was opening up tents in their parking lots, moving their produce department out into these tents and calling it a “Farmer Market”. The term “farmers market” has become so ubiquitous that its integrity has been compromised, especially in the eyes of the farmer and the discerning customer.
Toyota Farm to Table Tour Announces 2010 Line-up
Stacy July 1, 2010Toyota announced the 11 farmers markets selected to participate in the second annual nationwide Toyota Farm to Table Tour . The Tour travels to farmers markets across the country to showcase the connection between farmers, chefs, farmers markets, and the communities they serve, and to give market shoppers the opportunity to learn more about Toyota’s hybrid vehicles.
What Makes a Farmers Market? Farmers Market Coalition Takes Stance, Engages Members
Stacy June 4, 2010A farmers market operates multiple times per year and is organized for the purpose of facilitating personal connections that create mutual benefits for local farmers, shoppers and communities. To fulfill that objective farmers markets define the term local, regularly communicate that definition to the public, and implement rules/guidelines of operation that ensure that the farmers market consists principally of farms selling directly to the public products that the farms have produced.
