Farmers' Market Activities 


                                            Release No. 0359.97

Backgrounder


                 U.S. Department of Agriculture
                   Farmers' Market Activities 


     Farmers' market activities in the U.S. Department of Agriculture have
three clear goals:
     -- Improving market access for small- to medium-sized farmers
     -- Promoting regional economic growth
     -- Providing inner city residents greater access to a variety of fresh
fruit and vegetables. 

     Several USDA agencies work together to accomplish these goals.  The
Agricultural Marketing Service conducts research and provides technical
assistance to state and municipal organizations to enhance marketing,
handling, and distribution of agricultural products.  Delivery systems also
are analyzed to expand marketing opportunities to traditionally under-served
customers.  The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
provides grant money to help communities become more self-sufficient in food
and nutrition.  The Food and Consumer Service assists communities in post-market food recovery efforts and also operates the WIC Farmers' Market
Nutritional Program which allows WIC vouchers to be exchanged for fresh
produce.

USDA Farmers' Market Support Activities: 

     -- Published the National Farmers' Market Directory in 1994 and 1996. 
The 1994 edition listed 1,755 markets; the 1996 edition listed over 2,400.
     -- Published the Farmers' Market Survey Report in 1996, based on
responses from 805 markets.
     -- In cooperation with the California Federation of Farmers' Markets a
prototype web site is being developed to inform consumers of farmers'
markets activities over the Internet.
     -- In cooperation with the University of Delaware, a prototype survey
document is being developed to determine the "most likely users" of farmers'
markets in order to determine what programs can be used to attract more
consumers.

Washington Farmers' Market:

     For the past two years, USDA has hosted a farmers' market at its
headquarters.  Compared to 1996, in 1997 efforts were significantly
expanded:
     -- Extended duration of the markets to the entire growing season; from
3 months in 1996 to 5 months in 1997
     -- Vendor participation increased from 84 to 165 vendors
     -- Increased the number of states supplying farmers from 5 to 7
     -- Increased minority vendor participation from 1 to 6 in 1997
included an herb vendor, bakers, and fruit and vegetable growers
     -- Enabled a greater percentage of the local community to acquire
products at the markets by permitting use of Food Stamps and WIC Food
Coupons. 

     Highlights of USDA's food gleaning program, which has been
incorporated into the Washington Farmers' Market include:

     -- Over 8,000 pounds of food and food products donated to the D.C.
Central Kitchen during the 1997 season
     -- Over 2,600 pounds of tomatoes gleaned from the Agricultural
Research Center, Beltsville, Md., and distributed to the Capital Area Food
Bank
     -- About 800 hours of community service donated to the Food Bank's
efforts to distribute food to soup kitchens and shelters in the Metro area.

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