Are grants or other types of financial assistance available for farmers markets?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists a number of federal, private sector, and foundation grant opportunities in the Farmers’ Market Consortium Resource Guide. The guide includes grants for market development, producer training and support, consumer education and access, and market promotion. However, it is important to understand that farmers’ markets cannot be sustained by grants alone. Just like any other business, farmers’ markets have to generate sufficient revenues to stay in operation. During the initial stages of your market’s development, the market organizing committee should develop a business and marketing plan to clearly define a plan for sustaining the market without grants. Also, keep the Ten Qualities of Successful Public Markets: 100 well-tested tips on how you can create your own great market,by David O’Neil, in mind as you develop and grow your market.
