By Americo Vega-Labiosa, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

USDA’s Local Food Directories make it easy for customers to find fresh local foods through four local outlets. Recent updates have made the directories easier to use on the go, on your phone or computer. We’ve also launched a new directory for agritourism. As the platform continues to grow, here are a few tips on how to navigate this resource. We especially hope you’ll use it during National Farmers Market Week, when supporting local markets can be a few clicks away.

1. Use it on the go. This website is convenient to use on a phone or tablet. The new technology behind USDA’s Local Food Directories gives you seamless access on your phone and pulls map locations so that you can navigate to a location with a single click. Take advantage of this feature when you are out with friends and need to convince them that a local market is closer than they think!
2. Know what to search for. Looking for “apples” or “bread” can guide you to several farmers markets and CSAs that include the item you need. You can also search terms like “no pesticides,” “women-owned,” or “minority-owned” to find businesses that qualify under these definitions. By selecting one of the individual directories and slowly zooming out on the map, you can reveal all locations available under that directory. Zooming out to the full country shows nationwide results.
3. Report new markets. If you frequent a neighborhood market or CSA that is not listed on the webpage, ask your market manager if they would be interested in participating. With over 3,800 listings, the directory continues to grow. With your help, future listings can be more extensive. If interested, they can email directoryupdates@usda.gov to get information on adding their market to the directory!

By Ed Ragland, Economist, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

The 2019 National Farmers Market Survey conducted by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) collected data regarding the market practices of managers in 2019 from 10,000 farmers markets. Using trends and statistics found from these efforts, AMS and Wheaton College created five research briefs highlighting results from this survey and sharing insights into the trajectory for farmers markets into the future.

Here is a snapshot of some top statistics that were identified across all national regions:

1. Farmers markets differ substantially across the U.S. by geographic location and proximity to urban centers. Managers revealed considerable diversity in the number of vendors, types of products, and federal nutrition programs available at each location.
2. Nearly 22% of vendors sold products that were either new or novel, like tofu and meat and dairy substitutes, nuts, mushrooms, wild foraged foods, prepared foods, seeds, fermented foods, crafts, soaps, pet food, or a service. 77% of farmers markets had at least one product in this category, revealing the prevalence of items beyond typical produce or dairy.
3. Farmers market managers are often volunteers (34%), rather than paid employees of the market (29%).
4. Half of the respondents, representing over 3,000 farmers markets, reported that their markets accepted at least one Food and Nutrition Service benefit as payment in 2019. A higher percentage of markets in the West (64%) and in urban spaces (54%) accepted these benefits.
5. About one-third of farmers markets offered or engaged in at least one food waste and/or conservation program in 2019. The most common programs were donating to food banks, recycling, and composting.

For a full list of the National Farmers Market Managers Survey briefs and more information, visit www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional/research-publications/fmms

To access this data and other projects, visit the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistical Service and follow @usda_nass and @usda_ams on Twitter for updates.

Contact: Northeast Regional Office – Public Affairs sm.fn.ne-pa@usda.gov 617-565-6412 FNS Press, fnspress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service today awarded Maine a grant as part of the first round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.

Grants are being awarded to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WIC Nutrition Program. Each will use grant funds to purchase mobile-friendly software or web-based services that streamline benefit delivery for participants, farmers and WIC FMNP state agencies and can help increase the use of benefits at farmers' markets.

“Supply chain issues have affected families around the country, but fortunately, shopping at your local farmers' market is one way to ensure immediate access to fresh produce,” said USDA FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “These mobile-friendly solutions make it easier for eligible WIC participants to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to help provide the healthiest start for their families.”

The Maine DHHS CDC WIC will receive more than $32,000 to modify its existing cash value benefit platform to include eFMNP capability and implement changes in its SPIRIT MIS system to meet the primary goal of the grant opportunity - to provide funding to implement an available and tested electronic, mobile WIC FMNP solution.

“USDA commends Maine for modernizing its WIC program to enable participants easy access to fresh produce and to support the livelihood of local farmers,” said Lizbeth Silbermann, Northeast Regional Administrator for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. “This mobile capability is another example of Maine WIC meeting families where they are.”

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides eligible participants coupons to buy fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers' markets or roadside stands that have been approved by their state agency to accept FMNP benefits.

These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are part of a larger group of ARPA initiatives to modernize the WIC and Farmers' Market Nutrition programs. The grants demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to improve nutrition security for all Americans, especially historically underserved populations. A second round of Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants is expected later this year.

USDA is aware of the continuing infant formula shortage and is working tirelessly to address any impacts on WIC participants. Information about the USDA response can be found here Infant Formula Safety.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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