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“Supporting West Virginia Farmers Market Growth”

“Supporting West Virginia Farmers Market Growth”. Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium - 2014. Who Are We?. The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is a membership-based organization. Our all-volunteer Board is made up of farmers market vendors and organizers around the state.

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“Supporting West Virginia Farmers Market Growth”

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  1. “Supporting West Virginia Farmers Market Growth” • Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium - 2014

  2. Who Are We? The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is a membership-based organization. Our all-volunteer Board is made up of farmers market vendors and organizers around the state. By Farmers Markets For Farmers Markets “The mission of the WVFMA is to provide resources and support connections that enhance the economic growth and sustainability of West Virginia farmers markets.” Policy Committee = WVFFC Working Group!

  3. Why are farmers markets important to MY Community? • Entry-point to the local foods economy for young or beginning farmers – very accessible, even to low-volume producers. • Economic impact – beautification, community building, healthy food access. • Small business and cottage foods incubator– a place to test products, grow customer base and develop a brand. • Healthy Food access– Bringing fresh, local foods to WV Families

  4. Farmers Market Success Stories

  5. Growth The number of farmers markets in WV has roughly tripled since 2005. We now have over 90 markets operating at 110 locations!

  6. Economic Impact Estimated minimum $4 million direct impact between July-December 2012 alone!

  7. New business Models Emerging Consignment models, year-round markets and online ordering – oh my!

  8. Thriving communities Farmers Markets are a social and community focal point!

  9. Farmers Market Permitting Issues

  10. The Issue • Current permits weren’t designed for farmers market vendors – creates confusion for vendors AND sanitarians. • Because of the way county health departments are structured, interpretation is inconsistent between counties. • Permits don’t transfer across county lines. • Additional requirements and fees are sometimes imposed on the county level. They can add up! • The fee scale is too high – inappropriate to charge the same for large grocery stores as small tailgate vendors.

  11. The Solution We aim to create a new, more affordable, health permit type specifically for farmers markets that would be issued on the county level; but will have the option of a statewide endorsement that would be recognized across county lines. This would solve the problem s of… • Cost • County-county transferability • Interpretation inconsistencies on the part of local sanitarians *Working on the issue of additional permit requirements

  12. How does will this impact WV families? Healthy Food Access + Economic Development + Positive Social Interactions = Thriving Communities!

  13. Learn More about the Farmers Market Policy CommitteeContact… Elizabeth SpellmanExecutive Director http://www.wvhub.org/wvffc e.spellman@wvhub.org 304-877-7920 Kelly CraneExecutive Director http://wvfarmers.org/ coordinator@wvfarmers.org 304-542-3331

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