Farmers' Market Research & Links

Farmers' markets help to keep small farmers in business and therefore help to preserve rural open space and combat urban sprawl. Producers from community gardens, urban farms (market gardens), and backyard gardens can also be certified to sell their food at farmers' markets.

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service states that, “Farmers markets, now an integral part in the urban/farm linkage, have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm.” The number of farmers markets in the United States has grown dramatically, increasing 79 percent from 1994 to 2002, with over 3,100 farmers markets operating in the United States."

2000 USDA Farmers Market Statistics
Farmer’s markets are an important source of revenue; 19,000 farmers reported selling their produce only at farmer’s markets.

• 82% of markets are self-sustaining; market income is sufficient to pay for all costs associated with the operation of the market (not including grant or in-kind support).
• 58% of markets participate in the USDA’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) coupon, food stamps, local and/or state nutrition programs.

Chart showing growth of farmers' market in the U.S. (Click on chart to view source)

Links
Farmers' Markets Nurture a Need for Open Space. SF Gate.com article. January 2007.

Public Markets and Community Based Food Systems

California Farmers' Markets Association Report

Innovative Farmers' Markets Around The Country. Project for Public Spaces.

Collective Roots is working with a collaborative group of individuals and organizations to organize a farmers' market in East Palo Alto. For more information, click here.

Kaiser Sponsors Farmers' Markets!

Kaiser Farmers' Market Resource Guide

Kaiser Farmers' Markets Offer Another Way to Thrive

Healthy Food

Cedar Falls Case Study

Research, Publications, and Other Resources

Wallace Center Handbooks on Farmers' Markets

Farmers' Market Manager Resource Site

Farmers' Markets play a catalytic role in community development

Economic benefits of farmers' markets