Monthly Seasonal Newsletter from Mass Farmers Markets |
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Thank you to all our member markets, market managers, market team members and everyone who contributed to making 2022 a great year for local food. |
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2022 MFM-Run Farmers Market Recap:
Central, Copley and Davis Square Farmers Markets
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2022 was a very successful year for our three MFM-run markets.
We had over 250,000 combined customer visits to Central, Copley and Davis Square Farmers Markets and almost $2.9 million in collective sales for our local farmers and food purveyors.
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Our markets continue to see increased foot traffic; many of our vendors report increased sales, and our market managers report increased access to SNAP, SNAP-Match and HIP Benefits. We're looking forward to even greater success in 2023! |
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Become an MFM Vendor for the 2023 Season!
Applications are now open for 2023 vendors at Mass Farmers Markets’ three managed markets: Central Sq in Cambridge, Copley Sq in Boston, and Davis Sq in Somerville.
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Work with us! MFM is Hiring a Lead Farmers Market Manager
Mass Farmers Markets is seeking a savvy, self-starting individual who is passionate about building community, the food we eat, and where it comes from. This individual will be the positive, energetic force behind the MFM-run farmers markets and will have the opportunity to inject ideas and creativity into building, growing, and managing the markets.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! We need to fill this position ASAP.
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The Brockton Farmers Market has a Vision for the Future.
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At the heart of the work that Mass Farmers Markets does is our support of Farmers Markets across Massachusetts. We do this work out of a commitment to Massachusetts farmers and the land that they steward and to the communities that host these markets.
We know, after 45 years of experience, that farmers markets provide the mechanism to keep food-producing farms in business, land in production, and our environment and climate healthy. They impact the local economy; more money comes into and is spent at neighborhood businesses. They support the health and wellbeing of the local community. Yes, local food is tastier and more nutritious. But even more important than that -- farmers markets create a healthy food environment where neighbors learn about new foods and how to cook them and where they can meet their neighbors and connect to the community in which they live.
And so, in 2023, Mass Farmers Markets in partnership with PlacePractice and grant funds from Commonwealth Places will be working with the Brockton Farmers Market to co-develop a sustainable business model for that market.
To get there, we need your help. Commonwealth Places has challenged us to raise $30K. If we can get there, they'll match it. Let's help the Brockton Farmers Market plan for a healthy and sustainable future.
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SAVE THE DATE: Ag Day at The MA State House is April 12, 2023
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MDAR is hosting Agricultural Community Mental Health & Wellness Program Trainings. Learn more and sign up here.
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Interested in learning more about freight farming? Freight Farms is hosting a Discovery Day on January 27. Learn more.
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Thank you to all farmers who participated in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program in 2022! Want to join in 2023? Please contact Rebecca.Davidson@mass.gov, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coordinator, Agricultural Events Certification Coordinator at MDAR for more information.
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VICTORY FOR MASSACHUSETTS FARM LAND! Stillmans Farm won their fight to protect neighboring Goodfield Farm in Hardwick, MA. Read about the threat here. Fortunately their community stepped up to support local farming and the dangerous initiative was halted. That's good news for local food!
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Welcome to our new Member Services Director, Rick Grudzinski! Rick has spent almost twenty-five years in the finance and software industries; most recently, he worked for a private software company in its Boston and London offices. Rick is on the board of the Cambridge Community Foundation and volunteers with various food-related organizations. Rick is passionate about food access and is excited to support the role farmers markets play in a healthy regional food system. Rick lives in Cambridge with his wife and daughter, and in his spare time enjoys hiking and cooking his way through CSA boxes and farmers markets' finds. You can contact Rick at MemberServices@massfarmersmarkets.org.
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Member Benefits include:
Fiscal Sponsorship, Access to Group Liability Coverage, Support & Assistance, Biweekly Members Meeting, Speaker Series, Market Managers Conference, Promotion & Marketing Support, Farmspread Marketing, WBUR Advertising, Discounted Constant Contact Email Marketing Services, FREE Annual membership to Farmers Market Coalition, Attendance and Voting rights at our Annual Meeting, Vendor Job Search Assistance, Fundraising through Car Donation, and Google Ads for your market
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Review your profile on Farmspread and make updates
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Send us your special events to add to our calendar
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Send us your photos so we can promote you through our channels
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About Mass Farmers Market
2023 marks MFM's 45th year working on behalf of farmers markets throughout the state. We help create, sustain, and promote farmers markets and the many benefits they bring. We help connect more individuals to local and healthy food through farmers markets systems. At the core of MFM's mission, we support social and economic development and the health of individuals statewide - collaborating extensively with community partners and other stakeholders
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