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Resources Food Matters, Spring 2007 Farmers' Market 2008 Schedule FMA 10 Point Policy Platform Shipping Point Feasability Study Farmers' Market Alliance Policy Recommendations Farmers' Market Alliance Brochure » View all related resources

Related Programs: Farmers’ Market Program Farmers' markets provide access to fresh produce and nutrition education to community residents while helping to support family farms.

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Farmers' Market Alliance

While agriculture is Pennsylvania’s largest industry, family farms are struggling to survive. The Farmers' Market Alliance increases political and economic support for Pennsylvania agricultural products, to leverage public policy changes to improve the viability of family farms. The Alliance is a growing coalition of Pennsylvania organizations across the food and farm system, including farmers’ marketing advocates, city and state officials, rural and urban farmers, school nutrition program specialists, smart growth advocates, food industry representatives and more. The Alliance is hosted by The Food Trust and Greensgrow (www.greensgrow.org).

The Farmers’ Market Alliance seeks to:

• Increase the economic viability of farming and preserve Pennsylvania 's farmland;
• Provide Pennsylvanians with increased access to fresh, healthy food; and
• Grow agribusinesses and jobs, thus contributing to a vibrant state economy.

To this end, the Farmers’ Market Alliance reviewed best practices in state level policies elsewhere and developed public policy recommendations for the state of Pennsylvania. These policy recommendations build on areas of strength and ameliorate areas of weakness in Pennsylvania agricultural policy. The Farmers’ Market Alliance is also working to expand wholesale and retail marketing options for farmers through its own initiatives and by supporting for local and state initiatives to increase distribution of Pennsylvania products.

Recent Accomplishments

The Farmers' Market Alliance was a strong advocate for the "Farmers' Market Development Act," which Governor Rendell recently signed. The "Farmers' Market Development Act" authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to give grants in order to develop or expand farmers' markets. The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Arthur D. Hershey (R-Chester) allows the state to award grants up to $10,000 to farmers, nonprofit organizations, businesses that operate or manage farmers’ markets and local government units for development and planning costs associated with opening a farmers’ market.

On November 29, 2006 Governor Rendell signed into law the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools bill (HB 1209). The bill creates a statewide program modeled after the Kindergarten Initiative. The sponsors of the bill recognized that a program that combines integrated nutrition education, parent involvement, and a connection to local agriculture will have a beneficial impact on students, farmers in Pennsylvania.