Farmers' markets are growing stronger as a destination for fresh local food. This report, produced by the Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network in collaboration with Informa Market Research, assesses the ongoing growth and change within the farmers' market sector. The findings of this report are based on information from visits to 30 network markets, interviews with 82 farmers, as well as 26 other market vendors. Results were compared with the GBFMN's 2009 survey.
This study is intended to assist farmers' market vendors and organizers, and inspire the interest and support of market shoppers and funders."
Key findings include:
- Farmers are deriving more of their business income from markets. Farmers have learned that markets can be secure and predictable sales channels.
- The evidence that local food sales is prompting farmers to grow new varieties and increase acreage for market production.
- Farmers are responding to the increased demand for local food by expanding sales channels to include farmgate/farm stands and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sales/distribution.
- Markets are recognized as a contributor to strengthening and growing the local food system given their role in bringing together providers (farmers) with buyers (chef, food services, caterers, local retailers, small scale processors, etc.)
This study is intended to assist farmers' market vendors and organizers, and inspire the interest and support of market shoppers and funders. It demonstrates the success of Greenbelt Network Markets and identifies further opportunities for growth in this sector.
- Farmers are deriving more of their business income from markets. Farmers have learned that markets can be secure and predictable sales channels.
- The evidence that local food sales is prompting farmers to grow new varieties and increase acreage for market production.
- Farmers are responding to the increased demand for local food by expanding sales channels to include farmgate/farm stands and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sales/distribution.
- Markets are recognized as a contributor to strengthening and growing the local food system given their role in bringing together providers (farmers) with buyers (chef, food services, caterers, local retailers, small scale processors, etc.)
This study is intended to assist farmers' market vendors and organizers, and inspire the interest and support of market shoppers and funders. It demonstrates the success of Greenbelt Network Markets and identifies further opportunities for growth in this sector.
Read the full report:
