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Governing Magazine - Placemaker Profile: Allan Jacobs
Public Markets Policy Memo
June 2006
There are more farmers markets and public markets in the U.S. than ever before, improving Americans' access to fresh fruits and vegetables, providing vital public gathering places, and benefiting small and mid-sized farmers. How do we ensure their long-term sustainability, though? One way is by exploring how policies can better support market activities.
Welcome to the first edition of the Public Markets Policy Memo, or "PM Squared" – a periodic update to help public and private leaders at the federal, state, and local levels better support the development and expansion of public markets and farmers markets across the country.
PM Squared builds on PPS’s three-year, $3 million grant program for public markets, which provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to reach out to new partners at the national level, while our grantees create new partnerships at the local, regional, and state levels. Because interest in markets is so broad, each issue of PM Squared will be geared to a specific audience, whether public or private. This first edition of PM Squared is an introduction to new developments, including:
- New funding resources for farmers markets;
- How public and private leaders are working together to support markets nationally;
- A new guide to existing farmers market policies; and
- PPS’ 2006 “Diversifying Farmers Market” grantees.
In this Issue:
Supporting Public Markets through Better Policy
There has been an amazing grassroots resurgence in public markets in the past 10 years – from weekend neighborhood farmers markets to new indoor central markets. Despite this growth, markets face a wide number of challenges – from shoe-string budgets to a variety of policy obstacles on the federal, state and local levels. New policies that support markets and connect their activities to the broader goals and needs of communities are starting to emerge.
PPS Awards Mini-Grants to Diversify Farmers Markets
Twelve farmers markets across the United States will grow and diversify their operations, while broadening the social, cultural, and economic impacts on the communities they serve. They are the recipients of 12 grants totaling $200,000, which were awarded by Project for Public Spaces in January 2006.
Public Market Leaders Identify Policy Opportunities at DC Conference
In October 2005, over 350 market leaders - market managers, policy makers, and foundation officers - convened in Washington, D.C. for PPS' 6th International Public Markets Conference. As part of the conference, the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) and the Farmers' Market Coalition (FMC), hosted the first ever Farmers Market Policy Forum.
USDA Brings Together Public and Private Funders of Farmers Markets
Taking advantage of increasing interest in farmers markets, USDA has created a consortium of public and private funders to identify ways to collectively support farmers markets.
Farmers Market Consortium Releases First Ever Farmers Market Resource Guide
In March 2006, USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, on behalf of the Farmers Market Consortium, released the Farmers Market Resource Guide, which for the first time ever, comprehensively lists grants, programs and other financial and information resources available from public and private organizations for farmers markets.
PPS Awards $900,000 to Farmers Market Networks and State/Regional Associations
In May 2006, PPS awarded $900,000 to seven farmers market networks and four state/regional farmers market associations across the United States and Canada. The 11 grantees will raise the visibility of farmers markets in their region, provide opportunities for more farmers and customers, make it easier for markets to grow and sustain themselves over time, and increase their own capacity.
Farmers Market Policy – An Inventory of Federal, State, and Local Examples
As part of the October 2005 Farmers Market Policy Forum in Washington D.C., during the 6th International Public Markets Conference, Professor Neil D. Hamilton of the Drake University Agricultural Law Center in Des Moines, Iowa presented the first-ever inventory of federal, state and local policies that affect farmers markets.
New USDA Grant Program Promotes Producer-to-Consumer Marketing Efforts
A new funding program for farmers markets called the Farmers Market Promotion Program was released in March 2006 by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Originally approved as part of the 2002 Farm Bill to help expand opportunities for farmers markets, community supported agriculture, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing efforts, the program was funded for the first time this year, receiving $1 million.
