Farmers' Market Workgroup

The Farmers’ Market Workgroup aims to support and strengthen farmers' markets and the organizations that manage them. As vital contributors to vibrant communities and a unique link between local agriculture and the public, farmers’ markets play an essential role in connecting residents with fresh food, local producers, and regional economies. The workgroup focuses on improving market sustainability, farmer participation, and food access while addressing shared needs related to infrastructure, operations, professional development, and policy alignment. The workgroup meets regularly to foster dialogue, build alignment around shared goals, and develop collaborative solutions, with a particular focus on advancing the recommendations outlined in the Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education brief of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan.

This workgroup is led by:

Shawn Menard, Executive Director, Seacoast Eat Local
Jada Lindblom, State Specialist, Community and Economic Development, UNH Cooperative Extension

The Farmers' Market workgroup is launching in March and will meet monthly. If you are interested in joining this workgroup, please fill out the form linked below.

JOIN THE WORKGROUP

Status

Brief Topic

Type of Action

Goals & Tags

Keyword

Recommendation	Status	Brief Topic	Type of Action
Expand and integrate local food nutrition incentive programs Expand and integrate nutrition incentive programs, such as Granite State Market Match, Double Up Food Bucks, and Vouchers for Veterans, into larger,… Goals & Tags: State Agencies, Nonprofits, State/NH, (goal) Equity and Justice, (goal) Local Food Economy, (goal) Nutrition and Access	Not Started	Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education	Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support
Fund two management positions to support farmers’ markets and CSAs Fund two full-time equivalent (FTE) positions focused on professional management and infrastructure improvements for farmers’ markets and CSAs,… Goals & Tags: Nonprofits, Local/Municipal, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy	Not Started	Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education	Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding, Research/Study
Launch a student program to provide marketing support for food producers Launch a program at the University of New Hampshire that leverages student energy and existing programs (e.g., Voice Z Digital) to provide marketing… Goals & Tags: Schools or Institutions, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability	Not Started	Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education	Program creation, support, or expansion
Increase UNH Extension capacity to help producers enhance their marketing strategies Increase capacity for direct technical assistance at UNH Extension to help producers enhance their digital presence and adapt to evolving consumer… Goals & Tags: Technical Assistance Providers, UNH Extension, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability	Not Started	Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education	Program creation, support, or expansion
Establish a coordinated statewide local food promotion program Establish a coordinated statewide promotion program through an expansion of the work and infrastructure of NH Eats Local Month. This will include:… Goals & Tags: Nonprofits, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy	In Progress	Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education	Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support, Investment/Funding, Research/Study

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Farmers' Market Workgroup

Recommendations of interest to this workgroup

NH Food Alliance