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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Lee's Summit, IA
The farmers market in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Downtown Lee's Summit

Farmers markets have always been essential. They increase access to fresh and nutritious food, particularly in communities that lack grocery stores and other food retail outlets. They keep money circulating in local economies by providing shoppers with an opportunity to buy directly from small businesses, local vendors, and independent farmers, many of whom practice sustainable farming methods that protect our planet’s water, soil, and air. They provide a place where friends, families, and neighbors can come to visit, learn about food and agriculture, and have fun. And as we have most recently experienced, farmers markets prioritize the health and safety of our communities, even during crises.

Rock Springs, WY

In response to the pandemic, community farmers market quickly adapted to ensure their shoppers—as well as their staff and vendors—remained safe and healthy in the symbiotic pursuit to access and sell locally produced food. In Virginia, Culpeper Downtown turned their traditional farmers market into a drive-thru to minimize points of contact for vendors and customers. In Missouri, Downtown Lee’s Summit launched a virtual farmers market on their organization’s webpage. In Massachusetts, East Somerville Main Streets created a pick-up market, encouraging customers to order from vendors online and fulfilling orders in a central location.

As challenging as it has been (and the challenges have been aplenty), farmers markets have risen to the occasion to provide a necessary sense of unity and stability at a time we need it most. In addition to COVID-19 precautions, many market leaders have also taken action to improve equity at their markets. It’s important to acknowledge many farmers markets have not always reflected their local communities or provided a space where everyone can feel welcome. Together, market operators and community organizers are paving the way to make farmers markets safe, inviting, and accessible for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic and renewed calls for social justice reform have made it as clear as ever: farmers markets are essential and can rapidly respond to the immediate needs of the communities they serve, especially during times of crisis.

Of course, this comes as no surprise to those of us here at the Farmers Market Coalition and the farmers market operators we represent. A national organization dedicated to strengthening farmers markets, we support markets through resource development, technical support, advocacy, and promotion. While interest in local food continues to grow nationwide, the increased costs and time required to keep these essential food retail outlets in operation—especially throughout the pandemic—have been major challenges for market operators everywhere. Understanding that farmers markets are complex and the organization themselves requires support, we know that if communities want to offer a thriving market in their area as a source of healthy living and economic vitality, supporting the market organization is an essential place to start.

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If there’s ever been a moment to elevate and support farmers markets, now is the time, so be sure to join us in celebrating farmers markets this week during National Farmers Market Week (NFMW). Declared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture yearly for the last two decades, NFMW has been a week of celebration for everyone who supports farmers markets, highlighting the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s local food system. During this week, farmers markets in towns big and small, from coast-to-coast, work hard to host special events, contests, activities, and more. It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s a chance to really celebrate all that farmers markets do for their communities!

During National Farmers Market Week, we’re partnering with Main Street America to make sure that farmers markets and the vibrant communities that they support have everything they need to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. The Farmers Market Coalition provides a toolkit for organizations across the country to use to promote National Farmers Market Week and engage their communities in supporting farmers markets and local businesses.

Join in the celebration of farmers markets this week, August 1-7, by engaging with your community on social media and sharing why #FarmersMarketsAreEssential in your community for economic development, community engagement, and a vibrant Main Street!