August 5, 2020 | Celebrating National Farmers Market Week 2020 | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC | 

This week we are celebrating National Farmers Market Week! From stimulating local economies to supporting healthy communities, farmers markets play an essential role in Main Street communities and commercial districts across the nation. Our markets may look different in the times of COVID-19, but farmers markets continue to bring people together—even when they're 6 feet apart.

The Impact

Farmers markets have a clear positive economic impact on local communities. “For every dollar of sales, direct marketers are generating twice as much economic activity within the region, as compared to producers who are not involved in direct marketing,” found one recent study. This same study showed that selling locally created 32 full time jobs per $1 million in revenue earned compared to the larger wholesale growers who created only 10.5. In addition, 89 percent of direct-to-market farmers surveyed reported buying their supplies from local businesses. Larger wholesale farms purchased only 45 percent of their supplies locally.

Farmers markets also play an essential role in creating healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems. For small businesses who may otherwise lack capital or resources, markets can serve as safer first-step option for entrepreneurs: a small business incubator. “From your casual, one-day a week flea market vendor to your serious, seven-day a week market hall vendor, public markets are wonderful places for people - especially minorities, immigrants and women - to grow a business,” wrote the Project for Public Spaces.

What’s more, farmers markets can provide healthy food options for communities regardless of socio-economic status. With many markets accepting federal nutrition benefits such as SNAP and WIC, farmers markets can make fresh produce and other healthy options available for low-income and food-insecure places.

Farmers Markets in COVID-19

Since the onset of the pandemic, the local impact of farmers markets on local communities and economies has been felt more strongly. “Farmers markets are essential businesses,” said the Farmers Market Coalition. “The COVID19 pandemic made it clear that local food systems with short supply chains are resilient and dependable in making food available to their communities.”

Main Street communities across our Network have been working tirelessly to pivot their farmers markets, reimagining the look and feel of their markets to best adhere to social distancing practices. Here are a couple of our favorites:

Drive-Through Farmers Market. In an effort to minimize contact points, Culpeper Downtown's farmers market in Virginia offers both a walk-through and a drive-through market to ensure the safety of both vendors and customers. Learn more.

Remote Farmers Markets. Downtown Lee’s Summit in Iowa makes continuing to shop at their classic farmers market easy. With advice from national, state, and local health officials, the opening day of the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market had to be postponed. Instead, the Main Street program set up a virtual market on their webpage. This page lists the current offerings from market vendors: available items, delivery options, how to order, and contact information. Learn more.

Pick-Up Market. East Somerville Main Streets’ Pick-Up Market in Massachusetts is a one-stop-shop encouraging residents to support local safely by placing orders online from participating vendors who will then have the customer’s purchase ready for pickup at a central location. Learn more.

Join us in celebrating!

Celebrate this week with us by highlighting your farmers market on social media. We’d especially love to see how your farmers market has adjusted in response to the pandemic. Use hashtags such as #LoveMyMarket, #FarmersMarketWeek, and #WeAreMainStreet. Don’t forget to show off the incredible managers, volunteers, and vendors who bring life to your market!

Further Reading

Farmers markets are vital during COVID-19, but they need more support, Brookings

Farmers Markets Stimulate Local Economies, Farmers Market Coalition

Endless Bounty: The Transformative Benefits of Public Markets, Project for Public Spaces