How has the current economic crisis impacted farmers markets?
Despite the recession, farmers markets are booming. As spring markets were opening for the 2009 season, FMC members in Alabama, Washington DC, California, New York, and Washington State reported record customer counts and record sales. The Food Marketing Institute noted that local and sustainable foods remain a top buying trend for 2009. Economist Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center notes that, as a business model, farmers markets are inherently flexible, which offers them protection from drastic economic changes. “They can adjust price and adjust their product to get consumers’ needs met. Retailers and big stores with big overheads and big expenses can’t do that.
