Farmers Markets Growing Farms, Families & Communities Presentation by Ann Louhela Nevada Certified Farmers Market Association
Welcome What is the NCFMA ?
NCFMA Coalition of farmers, market managers, government organizations, businesses, nonprofit organizations & community members Coalition of farmers, market managers, government organizations, businesses, nonprofit organizations & community members Nonprofit 501(c)6 corporation (business organization) Nonprofit 501(c)6 corporation (business organization).
Our Mission Strengthen farmers’ markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers and the local community Support direct marketing avenues for local agricultural products
Partnerships Nevada Dept of Agriculture Nevada Dept of Agriculture NevadaGrown NevadaGrown Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program Local food co-op & Great Basin Basket Program Local food co-op & Great Basin Basket Program Co-founder of local food system network Co-founder of local food system network Liaison for local health departments & Nevada Dept of Taxation Liaison for local health departments & Nevada Dept of Taxation
What are we doing for Nevada farmers?
Cooperatively initiated Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign Produced Local Food Guide to educate consumers and to educate consumers and to increase awareness of the benefits of buying local food to increase awareness of the benefits of buying local food
Extending selling season for farmers Development of year round indoor market Development of year round indoor market Working towards a permanent farmers market facility Working towards a permanent farmers market facility
What else are we doing? Earth Day sponsor to promote NevadaGrown products Earth Day sponsor to promote NevadaGrown products Website development with NevadaGrown Website development with NevadaGrown Produce & sponsor agricultural conferences Produce & sponsor agricultural conferences Nevada farmers market cookbook to be printed in 2007 Nevada farmers market cookbook to be printed in 2007
Let’s talk about farmers markets.
History of Nevada Farmers Markets Sparks starts 1 st market in downtown Sparks with only 1 real farmer Sparks starts 1 st market in downtown Sparks with only 1 real farmer more than 10 markets including Reno, Fallon, Carson City, Las Vegas more than 10 markets including Reno, Fallon, Carson City, Las Vegas 2004 – more than 20 markets in the state & Senior coupons are accepted in NV 2004 – more than 20 markets in the state & Senior coupons are accepted in NV 2005 – annual market produce sales estimated at more than $1.6 million by small farms 2005 – annual market produce sales estimated at more than $1.6 million by small farms 2006 – Sparks market is 5 blocks long with a weekly attendance of 15,000 & first indoor market is started to extend selling season for Nevada producers 2006 – Sparks market is 5 blocks long with a weekly attendance of 15,000 & first indoor market is started to extend selling season for Nevada producers
Why sell at farmers markets? Demand for fresh, locally grown products has reached an all time high and is still increasing Demand for fresh, locally grown products has reached an all time high and is still increasing Direct sales with no middleman Direct sales with no middleman Inexpensive advertising for your farm and product Inexpensive advertising for your farm and product Experiment with new products Experiment with new products Get new customers (restaurants, wholesalers) Get new customers (restaurants, wholesalers) Network with other farmers & businesses Network with other farmers & businesses Educate consumers Educate consumers Your presence is a contribution to your local community Your presence is a contribution to your local community
From all the people you feed Thank you!
Nevada Certified Farmers Market Association Ann Louhela, President PO Box 2108 Sparks, NV (775)