2015 Annual Member Meeting

Agenda/ Welcome and Introductions

/ SNAP Trends

/ 2014-2015 FMC Highlights

/ New FMC Features

/ FMC Priorities Moving Forward

/ Board Election Results

• More SNAP benefits were redeemed at farmers markets and direct marketing farmers in fiscal year 2014 during August than any other month of the year.

• Of the 3,232, counties in the U.S., 1,577 (49 percent) have at least one SNAP authorized farmers market or farmer; this is an increase of 8 percent over 2013.

• 362,477 SNAP households made at least one purchase at a farmers market in fiscal year 2014. Households shopping at farmers’ markets spent $52.38 on average over the course of the year.

• 54 percent of the 362,477 households that shopped at a farmers market or direct marketing farmer made one purchase; another 18 percent made two purchases; and 28 percent made three or more purchases within the year. These percentages have remained relatively unchanged over the last four fiscal years.

• 99 percent of all SNAP transactions at a market or direct marketing farmer were electronic (either swipe or key entry), and the remaining 1 percent were paper voucher authorizations.”

$8.7 Million for EBT Equipment @ Markets

FY 2013$4 M

FY 2014$700,000

FY 2012$4 M

StatesNAFMNP / MarketLink FMC

New Markets & Farmers

New Markets & Farmers

Existing Markets & Farmers

*NEW means SNAP authorized on or after Nov. 18, 2011

FMC Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program

Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants

$3.3 Million Available for:

•Funds to pay for personnel costs associated with operating SNAP

at farmers markets;

•Funds to pay for the design, printing, and/or purchase posters,

signage, brochures, pamphlets, and similar allowable media

intended to inform/educate current SNAP participants of their ability

to use their benefits at farmers markets.

•Funds to pay for miscellaneous equipment, such as scrip, and

technology infrastructure (wifi hotspots, phone lines, electrical lines,

etc.) reasonably necessary for a farmers’ market to operate SNAP.

www.grants.gov (search FMSSG)

2014 – 2015 FMC Highlights1 Farmers Markets & Local Food Supported in Farm Bill

2 372 FMPP Program Grants Awarded / $31.5 M in FINI Awarded

3 Increased FMC Membership

4 FMC Poster Contest / National Farmers Market Week

5 Farmers Markets Honored with USPS Stamp

6 FMC launches Data Collection Research at Farmers Markets

7 Discover You Can Markets Increase from 30 to 50

8 The New Power of Produce (POP) Piloted in Philadelphia

9 FMC Awarded Contract with USDA to Support EBT at Markets

10 FMC Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program / FMSSG

#1 Farmers Markets & Local Food Supported in Farm Bill

Thank

you!

#2 FMPP and FINI

372 organizations in 49 states and the District of Columbia were awarded Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program grants, including FMC and at least 42 FMC members, and FMC itself ($27 million total).

$31.5 million in funding to local, state and national organizations was awarded to FINI projects in 26 states.

#3 Increased FMC Membership

• Membership: 943 (730)representing an estimated 5,400 farmers markets

• Newsletter: 3,829 (3,100)

• Listserv: 1,131 (1,078)

• Facebook: 8,383 (6,352)

• Twitter: 5,502 (4,409)

#4 National Farmers Market Week

#5 USPS Farmers Market Stamp

#6 FMC Launches Data Collection Research at Farmers Markets

Food Preservation education at farmers markets increased from 30 to 50 markets through theDiscover You Can: Learn, Make, Share program. Jarden Consumer Solutions, makers of FoodSaver® vacuum-sealing system, joined the education alliance with Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball® Brand Fresh Preserving Products.

#7 Discover You Can: Learn, Make, Share

#8 The New POP Pilot

Priorities Moving Forward:

• Offer more services and tools to members • FMC Store• Member Benefits • Updated Online Resources• 1 Local Tools

• Strengthen State Associations• New State Partner Membership • Host a Farmers Market State Leader Summit• Provide State-Level Advocacy Support

• Initiate Advisory Committee• Complete the Farmers Market Metrics Tools• Expand SNAP access at farmers markets

• One Machine per Location Rule• Equipment Costs• Continue to Advise FNS Staff

• Improve WIC Cash Value Voucher (CVV) Access• Secure More Sponsorships & Foundation Support

Welcome New FMC Board Members!

Christie Balch, Crossroads Community Food Network, MDDale Hazlewood, City of Aurora, ILGary Matteson, Farm Credit Council, DCDru Montri, MI Farmers Market Association, MIMonika Roth, Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY