This page links to information and resources that may be of interest to farmers’ market managers, farmers’ market vendors, and engaged residents developing their local and community-based food systems.

Key topics on this page include:

• Resources for Farmer Vendors
• Find Farmers Markets near you
• National Farmers Market Resources
• Operational Tools and Resources
• Organizational Structure
• Marketing, Education, Outreach 
• Evaluation and Measurement
• Farmers Markets and Food Access
• Food Safety at Farmers Markets
  The N.C. Fresh Produce Safety Portal offers a running list of resources for farmer’s markets. This list includes Good Farmers Market Practices, fresh produce safety considerations at market, along with NC specific guidelines.

Find Farmers’ Markets Near You

Market stand with peaches and blueberries

• Search for NC Farmers’ Market Statewide, Got to Be NC, NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
• USDA Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory

Regionally

• Triangle Area “Growers Only” Farmers’ Markets
• Tailgate Markets in the Southern Appalachians Region
  Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project Local Food Guide
• For local / county lists, check the Local Foods page of your County NC State Extension website, located under Agriculture & Food on the left-hand sidebar of the county Extension web page.

National Farmers’ Market Resources

• Farmers’ Market Coalition (FMC)
• Farmers’ Market Management Series (Book) – University of California Small Farm Program
  • Farmers’ Market Management Series Vol 1: Starting a New Farmers Market
  • Farmers’ Market Management Series Vol 2: Farmers Market Management Skills
  • Farmers’ Market Management Series Vol 3: Growing Your Farmers’ Market
• marketumbrella.org

Operational Tools and Resources

• Manage My Market
• Washington State Farmers Market Management Toolkit
• NC Farmers’ Market listserve subscription information
• NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Marketing for Farmers’ Markets.Workshops and training including food safety and topics pertinent to farmers’ markets.
• Farmers Market Coalition listserv
• Farmers Market Coalition Statewide Leader Network

Organizational Structure

• Comprehensive Market Manager FAQs: FMC, 2011
• Additional Market Manager FAQs: FMC, 2013

Related Articles

• Rodale Institute: Starting a Farmers’ Market the Right Way

Marketing, Education, Outreach

• NEW Farmers Market Tour Resources  
• Market Growth, Outreach, Evalution – FMC
  • Market, Growth, Outreach, Evaluation: Marketing the Market webinar – FMC
  • Visit FMC “Marketing” for more tips on using social media, targeted campaigns, tips for farmers, etc.
• NCDA CS Marketing for Farmers’ Markets
• Farmers’ Market Promotion Program

Evaluation and Measurement

• Oregon Small Farm Technical Report: Tools for Rapid Market Assessment
• Oregon Small Farm Technical Reports: Qualitative Results from Five Rapid Market Assessments 
• Market umbrella’s Market Portrait: Take a snapshot of your market’s abilities and capacities.
• Market Umbrella’s (SEED, NEED, FEED) multiplier tools to measure economic, social, and human impact
• Webinar: Measuring Success: Market Record-Keeping and Evaluation: FMC
• Examples of Market evaluations and templates (FMC):
  • Market Growth Data, New Mexico Farmers Markets. Suggestions for collecting information about your market.
  • Vendor Evaluation Form, Farmers Market Federation of NY

Resources for Vendors

(Can also be found on the Farmers Market Coalition FAQ page)

• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s Plain Language Guide to Selling at Farmers Markets, a guidebook of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
• California Farmers Market Association’s Selling the Whole Truckload
• Growing for Market magazine
• University of Missouri’s Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers
• Portland Farmers Market’s Tips for First Time Vendors

*Quick Link Directly to the Farmers Market page