The State of Farmers Markets ~ Bernadine Prince, Farmers Market Coalition ~

1. The State of Farmers Markets ~ Bernadine Prince, Farmers Market Coalition ~

2. Hooray for Maryland! • Over 100 MD farmers markets • MD/DC WIC training! • “Farmer-Up” for a week, part of Buy Local Challenge • Annual “Eat Local Cookout”

3. 500+ members • Represents 2,500 farmers markets in 47 states • Serves over 22,000 farmers and producers

4. Mission Accomplished!?

5. The “good” and the “bad” about the growth of farmers markets

6. The “good” and the “bad” about the growth of farmers markets

7. Popularity ≠ Measured Value

8. Growth Means More Scrutiny

9. Farmers Markets Need Help Despite countless hours at the farmers market and behind the scenes, Farmers Market Managers are given very little professional credibility. As of 2005, more than 60% were unpaid.

11. FMC Local-State-National Feedback Loop State FMA • Link peers, presenters, & other resources • Host webinars • Translate needs to USDA/Congress • Bring new stakeholders • Develop advocacy tools and common language • Identify needs & promising practices • Host manager convenings • Evaluate • Lead pilot programs • Bridge state agencies • Innovate • Educate community • Share ideas Market

12. Why do Farmers Markets need the Farm Bill?

13. $33.1 billionspent on commodity crops corn soybeans cotton rice wheat

14. $4.3 billion spent on specialty crops fruits nuts vegetables

15. Supplemental Nutrition Programs Benefit Consumers and Farmers • FY 2010: $65 billion for SNAP (Food Stamps), not counting WIC! Most SNAP redemption is at retail food markets. • FY 2010: Farmers received $15 million in revenue through FMNP

16. Percent of Total SNAP Redeemed at Farmers Markets, 1993 - 2011

17. SNAP in Farmers Markets

18. Farmers Market Promotion Program

19. Why do Farmers Markets need the Farm Bill?

20. Marker Bills in Congress • The Local Farms, Food & Jobs Act (S. 1773, H.R. 3286) ~ Rep. Chellie Pingree & Co-sponsor Sherrod Brown + 78 others • The Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act (S. 1593) ~ Sen. Gillibrand

21. LFFJA (S. 1773, H.R. 3286) • Increase FMPP to $20M annually and create Local Marketing Promotion Program • Increase Specialty Crop Block Grants to $90M annually • Encourage more EBT@ farmers markets • Increase SFMNP to $25M/year • Total investment = 1/6 of 1% of USDA’s budget

22. Expanding Access to Farmers Markets Act (S. 1593) • Provide farmers markets with wireless, mobile equipment to process SNAP • Amend Food & Nutrition Act to treat farmers markets same as traditional retail food centers • Encourage state agencies to partner and contract with nonprofits to assist with outreach, administration and farmer and market training

23. What is Success? Measuring what farmers markets do: Economic (sales, jobs, income, new businesses, circulation of resources within local community) Human (learning new skills, acquiring new knowledge or experiences) Social (trust, volunteerism, gleaning programs, the role of the market as a gathering place) Natural (farmland, organic and sustainable practices, diversity of products, distance and time from farm to final consumer)

25. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass Leap Day, Feb. 29 2pm ET KYF Compass Webinar www.usda.gov/live Twitter: @usda/#KYF2

26. FMC Resources Resource Library Webinars Market Manager FAQs & videos National Farmers Market Week Toolkits Policy Toolkits (in progress!) Listserv for Market Managers the market beet newsletter

27. On the FMC Web Site… • Upcoming & Archived Webinars http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/information-marketplace • Market Manager FAQs and Videos http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/managerfaqs • Latest news http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/category/news • Talking Points & FM Week Resources http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/membership/markets-are-up-campaign

28. Questions? Ideas? Email: info@farmersmarketcoalition.org www.farmersmarketcoalition.org