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The Value of Farmers Markets: Economic, Social and Community Building

The Value of Farmers Markets: Economic, Social and Community Building. Definition of a Farmers Market: “A public gathering of two or more producers for the direct sale of farm and food products from agricultural producers to consumers.”. The Farmers Market Paradigm.

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The Value of Farmers Markets: Economic, Social and Community Building

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  1. The Value of Farmers Markets: Economic, Social and Community Building

  2. Definition of a Farmers Market:“A public gathering of two or more producers for the direct sale of farm and food products from agricultural producers to consumers.”

  3. The Farmers Market Paradigm

  4. Customer Appeal of markets: supports local businesses Shopping Malls Kmart Plaza Kinney Drugs Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market

  5. Farmers Markets foster new business growth • Dog Daze Bakery begins in the Syracuse area farmers markets • Richport Bakery outgrows the Rochester Public Market • The Oswego Chamber of Commerce credits the farmers market with the creation of 10 new businesses and the transfer of others to downtown. • 7 buildings adjacent to the Rochester Public Market have been redeveloped into retail/wholesale space • $3 million renovation of 60,000 sq ft warehouse into indoor market space and artists loft space in Rochester Public Market footprint

  6. Farmers Markets bring tourism • Tourism dollars add to the local economy • Tourism dollars generate tax revenue • Tourism generates jobs Windmill Farm & Craft Market Ithaca Farmers Market

  7. Pathways to Health and Nutrition • Farmers Market Nutrition Program • 910 participating farmers in 350 markets in NYS reaching 275,000 WIC families and over 86,000 low income seniors (2006) • Brings additional food dollars to communities • Raises dietary awareness • East NY Farms reports 80% sales in FMNP • Greenmarket farmers redeemed over $800,000 in FMNP in 2000

  8. Pathways to Health and Nutrition • Farmers Market Health Bucks • Incentives for participating in health, nutrition and exercise programs • Makes connection between health and nutrition and fresh, local foods • Teaches new dietary habits

  9. Pathways to Health and Nutrition • Farmers Market Wireless EBT Program • Food stamp accessibility in open air markets • Food stamp sales increased from $3000 in 2002 to over $35,000 in 2004 • Gave rise to mobile markets to serve senior living centers

  10. Pathways to Health and Nutrition • Nutrition Education at farmers markets • Cornell Cooperative Extension • School Food Plus Initiative • School tours at farmers markets

  11. Satisfying demand for locally grown • Fewer food miles • Fresher equals more nutritious, greater flavor • Supporting local farms, local economies • Less chance for contamination • Connection to growers

  12. Building Community Around Markets Diversity of cultures, ages and economics Far Rockaway, Queens – culturally diverse community Opportunities for ethnic farmers 29 different languages spoken in the market

  13. Creating Vibrant Public Spaces Reclaiming Parks and Neighborhoods

  14. Hosting Community Events Farms Days! Cultural Festivals Community organizations reach out through markets Community Concerts

  15. Creating Opportunities for Youth • Summer Jobs programs • Urban agriculture programs • Entreprenuership programs

  16. Opportunities for Local Farmers • Low cost startup – both on the farm and at the market – means easy entry into agriculture with farmers markets. • While large farms are on the decline in Monroe • County, small scale farms under 10 acres are • on the rise • New Farmer Development Program in NYC • connects immigrant farmers with agricultural • lands and farmers markets.

  17. Farmers Markets Help Preserve Farmland • Greenmarket supports 27,355 acres of farmland, with 1277 placed in permanent farmland protection programs. • 80% of Greenmarket farmers credit farmers market sales with their farm’s continued existence. • 35% of Ithaca Farmers Market farmers would not exist if not for IFM.

  18. Access to steady customer base Test new products Promote on-farm enterprises Awareness of emerging trends

  19. Farmers Markets … • Build local economies … • Pathways for health and nutrition … • Nurture community development … • A mechanism for agricultural protection … A partnership of farmers, consumers and communities.

  20. Farmers’ Market Federation of NY117 Highbridge St., Suite U-3Fayetteville, NY 13066315-637-4690www.nyfarmersmarket.com Diane Eggert, Executive Director Diane.eggert@verizon.net

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