Farmers Markets

The number of farmers markets in the United States has grown 63 percent in the last six years, according to the USDA. The USDA's 2000 farmers market directory lists 2,863 farmers markets, up from 2,410 in 1996 and 1,755 in 1994, when USDA began collecting the data. Sales at farmers markets will total $1 billion in 1999, with most of the money going directly to small family farmers. In addition to a profusion of farmers markets, several online websites have started to directly market agricultural products to consumers as well.

Laws and codes pertaining to farmers' markets generally provide regulations on locations, hours, and format. The best code (such as the one highlighted here) ensures that farmers' markets are kept for farmers.

RULES

• Model Farmer's Market Rule - Dallas, TX
  Some cities such as Dallas, Texas, have set up their code to clearly delimit how a farmers' market is to be organized, and who will be allowed to sell at it. The code keeps the markets true to their name. More...

More:

• Robyn Van En Center/National CSA Resources
• Alternative Farming Systems Information Center's section on CSAs
• Sustainable Agriculture Network Directory of CSAs
• National Directory of Farmers Markets - find all the farmers' markets in the United States
• What is Community Supported Agriculture and How Does It Work? - University of Massachusetts Extension
• Organic Consumers Association
• Familyfarmer.org
• Community Food Security Coalition
• Local Harvest
• Community Supported Agriculture of North America
• Trends and Prospects for Sustainable Agriculture Products in Food Service Operations of Colleges and Universities - by Douglas Johnson and Steve Stevenson, UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, 1996