Why Virginia Needs Farmers Markets & Other News

In this update:

2019 VAFMA Conference
Why Virginia Needs Farmers Markets
New Benefit: The Apple Cart Consulting
Surry County Farmers Market Garden
Increase Support for Your Market with Data
Guide to Exceptional Markets
What do I need to know to sell at market?
New SNAP marketing templates
Upcoming Events & Dates

Conference is Nov 13-15 in Staunton!

VAFMA’s 7th Annual Virginia Farmers Market Conference is November 13-15 in Staunton at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

This 3-day event will have targeted workshops, dynamic speakers, a day of pre-conference sessions and fun-filled social networking events including a winery tour! There will be tracks for beginners and experienced participants alike along with an exhibit area packed with resources.

This year’s theme focuses on Agritourism — an often untapped path for helping shoppers discover farmers markets. Sessions will also cover other topics tailored to the needs of market managers and vendors.

Why Virginia needs farmers markets

Farmers markets impact Virginia in many positive ways. We all know this and data helps us prove it! Thanks to the markets in our metrics program, our data on markets is growing.

We will be sharing the image above all across the Commonwealth and on social media too. Please share it with your networks as well!

Member benefit: marketing consulting

Barb Upchurch & Stephanie Ganz of The Apple Cart are experts on food business marketing. They will help you strategize and grow your business. VAFMA members receive a discount on an initial strategy session – normally $225, reduced to $175 for a 1.5 hour meeting.

View our recently updated list of member benefits

Positive outcomes from the Surry County’s community garden

From Stanley Jones III, Director, Surry County Parks and Recreation
Virginia Cooperative Extension partnered with Surry County Parks and Recreation Center to start a community garden. Surry County is considered a food desert due to the county not having access to fresh foods nor a grocery store. Gardening is a necessity for the residents.

Although this is a trial project, the impacts and positive outcomes have proven that this is a worthwhile effort for the Surry Community. It has allowed the residents to participate in workshops on building raised beds, soil health, planting fall crops, and composting. This has given the residents of Surry County the opportunity to learn skills needed for home gardening and assisting in beautifying our County Park. Read more.

Increase support for your market with data

Data will help you better promote, fund and advocate for your market. We’ll show you how!

VAFMA & the Farmers Market Coalition are offering FREE Farmers Market Metrics subscriptions this year as part of our statewide promotion project funded by the USDA Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP). We also have training videos, templates and tools that will help you put your data to work. Details and registration

Is your market a GEM?

Certified Naturally Grown is inviting farmers markets to pitch their market to be listed in the Guide to Exceptional Markets, or GEMs!

This Guide honors the food co-ops, grocers, and farmers markets that take the steps to recognize and prefer vendors who verify their sustainable practices.

2019 is shaping up to be the most sparkling year yet for sustainable local food, with 70+ GEMs listings, and counting. Nominate your market

What do I need to know to sell…

Virginia Cooperative Extension created new publications that will help vendors understand food safety for specific products.

What do I need to know to sell …

• Jams, Preserve, Jellies, and Fruit butters
• Refrigerated Dips, Spreads, Dressings and Salads
• Kombucha
• Packaged Meals

New SNAP Marketing Tools & Templates

Fresh SNAP Advertising Templates
Advertise that you offer SNAP with these new post cards, buttons, banners, and more.

Farmers Market SNAP Self-Assessment Tool
This tool is for use by farmers market managers to self-assess the vitality and scope of their SNAP/EBT programs, and includes links to resources for each topic.

Upcoming Events & Dates

Events
March 11-12: Virginia’s Finest Educational Conference
March 14: Virginia Farm to School Conference
March 21: Virginia Berry Production & Marketing Conference
April 3 – 4: Virginia Agritourism Conference
April 23 – 25: Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit

March Dates
March is National Nutrition Month!
3/8: International Women’s Day
3/14: National Ag Day & National Pi Day
3/17 – 23: Virginia Agriculture Week
3/20: Spring Begins!
3/29: National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day
3/31: National Farm Workers Day