COMMUNITY FOOD ENVIRONMENT
ENACT STRATEGY: Farmers' Markets
Establish accessible Farmers 'Markets or farm stand programs in underserved areas
Farmers' markets and farm stands are increasingly popular and serve as valuable sources of fresh produce and other goods. Underserved areas in particular benefit from the presence of accessible sources of fresh fruits and vegetables and farmers' markets in these areas can increase fruit and vegetable consumption among community residents. A focus on accessibility and location are key to establishing a successful farmers' market or farm stand program. Accessibility considerations include the type and variety of produce offered, language compatibility, community support and buy-in and affordability. Farmers' markets and farm stands may also offer job training and professional development opportunities as well as a community space to gather and build linkages.
Characteristics of a successful farmers' market in an underserved area:
- Location of farmers' markets to be established on the edge of low-income communities or in places with a mixed income consumer base;
- Product mix should include familiar products and be priced affordably;
- Community members are actively involved in the market and feel a sense of ownership;
- Effective transportation systems servicing market areas;
- Flexible market hours (including regular night and weekend hours);
- Hiring sales staff from community;
- Utilizing a community organizing approach;
- Accepting WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and/or Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons;
- Offering Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) as a payment option.
World Hunger Year's Food Security Learning Center
The Food Security Learning Center provides an introduction to the community and agricultural benefits of farmers’ markets in both urban and rural areas.
Farmers' Markets: Improving Health, Improving Community (PDF)
The C.S. Mott Group at Michigan State University answers Frequently Asked Questions about Farmers’ Markets.
Improving and Facilitating a Farmers Market in a Low-Income Urban Neighborhood (PDF)
This case study from Washington, D.C. provides an in-depth look at how bringing farmers markets to underserved areas benefit the community. The case study adds information to the body of research surrounding market organizing in low-income communities.
Fun, Food & Farmers: Secrets of Success from a Leading Farmers Market Manager
An interview with Pamela Boyar, director of the Sunset Valley Farmers Market in Austin, the highest-grossing grower-only farmers market in Texas.
Community Supported Agriculture: Connecting Farmers and New Yorkers
Just Food’s CSA program is an alternative to a traditional farmers’ market, allowing residents to purchase farm shares from a regional farm. Payment structure supports the needs of low-income residents by providing flexible payment options including: Food stamps, Revolving loans, Installment plans, Sliding-scale share fees, Scholarship shares, and Work shares.
Hot Peppers& Parking Lot Peaches: Evaluating Farmers' Markets In Low Income Communities
The Community Food Security Coalition compiled this report to explore the “breadth of issues associated with farmers' markets in low income communities.” The report offers case studies, characteristics of successful programs, and policy barriers and recommendations.
10 Ways to Get Healthy, Local Foods into Low-Income Neighborhoods (PDF)
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy produced this report that describes model programs, tools, and challenges associated with bringing farmers' markets and mobile stores into low-income communities.
Food Security Learning Center
World Hunger Year’s Food Security Learning Center offers a long list of resources regarding farmers' markets, including policy initiatives, successful program profiles, advocacy tools, and further resources.
Farmers' Markets: Rules, Regulations and Opportunities (PDF)
This paper by the National Agricultural Law Center examines the structure and operation of farmers’ markets with special attention to the legal and regulatory issues that shape their operation.
A Simple Guide for EBT of Food Stamp Benefits at California Farmers' Markets (PDF)
The Ecology Center created this resource to guide market managers that are working to accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards (also known as food stamp cards) at farmers’ markets. While created with California in mind, this tool will also be relevant to those working on other states.
The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs
The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition programs is a non-profit that links government entities, local fruit and vegetable growers, families and community members in a common effort to support the local economy and improve the health of families through farmers’ markets.
AMS Farmers Markets
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) at the United States Department of Agriculture provides information and resources about farmers markets, covering topics such as financing, location, and more. AMS includes links to federally-funded farmers’ market programs, such as the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces, such as public markets, that build communities.
Community Food Security Coalition
The Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) is a North American organization of dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to all people at all times.
Vouchers to farmers market’s increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables**
This study showed low income women participating in WIC who were given vouchers for fruits and vegetables at local supermarkets and farmers markets increased their produce consumption
Herman DR, Harrison GG, Afifi AA, Jenks E. Effect of a Targeted Subsidy on Intake of Fruits and Vegetables Among Low-Income Women in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Am J Public Health. 2007 Nov 29; [Epub ahead of print]
Participants of WIC/Farmers' Market Nutrition Program eat a healthier diet**
This study demonstrated that participants in WIC/Farmers' Market Nutrition Program exhibited more indicators of a healthful diet then participants in those in the normal WIC program.
Kropf ML, Holben DH, Holcomb JP Jr, Anderson H. Food security status and produce intake and behaviors of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program participants. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Nov;107(11):1903-8.
** We can only provide links to the article abstracts and not the full text.