How Farmers Markets Benefit the Whole Community — Episode 80

Over the past decade, there has been steady growth across the
farmers market industry nationwide, with new farmers market
locations popping up in communities of all shapes and sizes. And,
many park and recreation professionals have seen this growth
firsthand. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic increasing
barriers for access to healthy food for so many across the
country, park and recreation professionals have been working hard
to find ways to meet these needs.


One way to meet the needs of a community has been through farmers
markets. And, whether an agency is hosting their own or
partnering with a local market, farmers markets provide countless
benefits. The Farmers Market Coalition is a nonprofit dedicated
to strengthening farmers markets across the United States so that
they can serve as community assets while providing real income
opportunities for farmers.


The Farmers Market Coalition aims to benefit farmers, consumers
and the community as a whole, and we’re thrilled to be joined on
the show today by their Training and Technical Assistance
Director Darlene Wolnik, to talk all about the great work they’re
doing in building healthier communities through farmers markets.
Darlene has been a national advocate and trainer for farmers
markets for more than two decades. We’re also excited to be
joined by Maureen Neumann, an NRPA program manager, to talk about
NRPA’s work with the Farmers Market Coalition and how we’re
assisting park and recreation professionals in this work.


Tune in to the full episode below to learn how the Farmers Market
Coalition is helping farmers earn fair prices for the fruits of
their labor, increasing access to fresh, local produce for
consumers, and helping communities regain a figurative “town
square,” as well as:


How the Farmers Market Coalition is supporting local farmers
markets on the ground so they can meet the needs of their
communities.

The type of guidance the Farmers Market Coalition has been
providing local farmers markets throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
to safely manage these spaces.

How farmers markets and parks and recreation are aligned in
their missions.

How park and recreation professionals who work for an agency
that may not have a farmers market can leverage partnerships to
start one or assist with an existing local market.

How working with the Farmers Market Coalition has helped NRPA
advance our strategic goals, and more!