The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a 501(c)(3) devoted to strengthening farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities, is currently working to document best practices for farmers market operations and management, and needs your help!

FMC is currently working on developing fact sheets for use by market managers and market sponsors with a focus on market operations, farmer recruitment and retention, and farmer and community support.  Recognizing that vast expertise lies within the diverse and decentralized network of markets nationwide, FMC is soliciting forms, policies, procedures, program summaries, and even photos from markets nationwide, so that it can develop templates, samples, and case studies when appropriate.

At this stage, the coalition is seeking documentation of the following:
•Growing a strong community of vendors (especially creative strategies which recruit and retain vendors in  rural or low-income areas)
•Fair and equitable fee structures and fund-raising strategies that contribute to long-term market sustainability (including reports of income source ratios)
•Procedures and policies for farm inspections, product audits, and rule enforcement in order to maintain market integrity

Documents, spreadsheets, and even market photographs can be uploaded on the coalition’s web site at www.farmersmarketcoalition.org/submit-resource, or e-mailed directly to submit@farmersmarketcoalition.org, along with all organizational contact information.  Farmers Market Coalition Executive Secretary Stacy Miller says that resource sharing is one of the most unique and wonderful things about the farmers market community. Submissions will be evaluated by a committee of farmers market leaders from different regions across the country and then synthesized into presentations and fact sheets.  The committee may follow up with some submissions in order to prepare more in-depth case studies and articles for Peas n’ News, FMC’s seasonal newsletter.

Other opportunities to network with members of the farmers market community include an e-mail listserv, where subscribers can stay in contact about the latest news impacting farmers markets.  Those interested in becoming members of the Farmers Market Coalition ($25), subscribing to its newsletter, or joining the FMC e-mail listserv, can do so on-line at www.farmersmarketcoalition.org.

For information: email info@farmersmarketcoalition.org or phone: 304-685-2669.