Cultivating Community: The Enduring Value of Farmers Markets

Farmers and growers of America, we salute you! Congratulations on 25 years of National Farmers Market Week, coming up on August 4. We eat, shop, connect and more! Across the country, farmers markets are defining their role in our communities.

Markets are not only essential to local food systems, but they also increase opportunities for us to learn, grow and work together. Farmers markets are designed in partnership with the people they serve and create a space where market operators, farmers, shoppers and neighbors can all collaborate to meet the evolving needs of their community.

Farmers markets haven’t always reflected their communities or created welcoming spaces for everyone. However, market operators and community organizers are working to improve equity. The Farmers Market Coalition fundamentally believes that farmers markets are for everyone and seeks to support efforts to make farmers markets safe, inviting and accessible for all.

THINGS TO CELEBRATE

• Growers selling locally create thirteen full-time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those that do not sell locally create only three.
• 53% of Farmers Market Managers that responded to the 2020 USDA/NASS Market Manager Survey said they were paid employees.
• Farmers markets provide one of the only low-barrier entry points for new farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs allowing them to start small and test new products. For young and beginning farmers direct marketing through CSAs and farmers markets make up most of their income.
• In 2021, over $100 million in federal nutrition benefits were redeemed at farmers markets and with direct marketing farmers ($59m from SNAP, $29.8m from WIC FMNP, $23.7m from Senior FMNP, and $9m from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program).
• Multiple research papers indicate that by facilitating farmer to consumer interactions, farmers markets shift both purchasing habits of consumers and the growing practices of farmers and leads to the adoption of more sustainable practices.

FARM MARKETS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Summer is the peak season for a bounty of farm-fresh food and with warmer, longer days comes extended market hours and unique ways to spend time together. Here is where you can find farmers markets in our places:

The Alamo Certified Farmers Market offers the quintessential small-town market experience, every Sunday at Alamo Plaza Shopping Center from 9 am – 2 pm, where you can stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers and many other items from local farmers and vendors.

South End Market at Atherton, operating year-round, supports farmers and producers offering local, sustainable and responsibly raised produce and proteins, as well as locally sourced artisanal food products and crafts. Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm.

Milk Lady Markets hosts a weekly farmers market at Cabin John Village. Sustainably grown produce and responsibly raised meat and dairy products is on offer 9 am – 1 pm until September 29. On Wednesdays from 4 – 6:30 pm, members of Norman’s Farm CSA can pick up their weekly share, and anyone can shop for local, seasonal produce.

On Mondays in June, July and August from 3 – 7 pm, pick from the freshest organic produce, local food products and Lowcountry crafts all summer long at Freshfields Village.

Produced by FRESHFARM, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture and improves food access, education, and equity in the Mid-Atlantic region, Mosaic District’s farmers market on Sunday mornings is at the heart of this community, running year-round from 9 am – 2 pm (April – December) and 10 am – 2 pm (January – March).

Every Tuesday morning from 10 am – 2:30 pm, Marin Community Farmers Markets hosts a weekly all-local, all-organic market at Strawberry Village, with vendors selling produce, flowers, artisan foods and fresh bread.

Also produced by FRESHFARM, Union Market District hosts a weekly farmers market on Sundays from 10 am – 2 pm next to the historic Market building.