COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKETS

A Unique Approach to Farmers Market Management The mission of Community Farmers Markets is to develop and strengthen farmers markets for long term sustainability and meaningful community impact. Community Farmers Markets currently operates the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, Grant Park Farmers Market, Decatur Farmers Market, and an education program. They leverage community assets with mission critical partners to build a stronger local food system. CFM increases the efficiency and susta... inability of local farmers markets by: • Providing educational programming to farmers, producers, customers, and the community around sustainability, nutrition, and wellness. - Creating a unified marketing strategy and community outreach programs to increase access to and awareness of farmers markets, especially in diverse, low-income neighborhoods. - Offering management and start-up consulting services to farmers, producers, and other farmers markets. - Creating economies of scale by aggregating resources. Community Farmers Markets (CFM) was founded by leaders in the local food movement in Atlanta out of a demand for more efficiently-managed, community-based, sustainable farmers markets. These stakeholders include farmers and local leaders who work for a more vibrant local food system and who have special interest, talents, or resources to build a stronger local food movement. Building upon the success of the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market (EAVFM), CFM replicated the EAVFM model and expanded to the Grant Park neighborhood in 2011. The Grant Park Farmers Market was an instantaneous success with 30 vendors and over 1,800 shoppers on opening day. By pooling resources and expertise, CFM has the capacity to go beyond the role of a traditional farmers market and expand the services offered by these markets, specifically around health education, professional development, and community building. In the 2011 season, the EAVFM developed an extensive educational outreach and community building model. Community Farmers Markets serves as an umbrella organization with community-level neighborhood advisory boards for each market. The neighborhood boards are made up of at least two farmers, two residents, two business owners, and one at large member. This smart growth model enables CFM to focus on efficiencies in management and operations, while the neighborhood advisory boards ensure that the markets are meeting the needs and desires of each group of vendors and larger community. CFM leverages strong partnerships with mission-critical partners in their communities and the city at large.More