Holding Farmers Markets in Impoverished Areas

The Brazilian government worked with the city of Belo Horizonte to develop price controls on the local organic farmers' produce and got them to bring their produce directly to the areas where the poor live. The city would send out the week's prices per stand to the radio stations, and they'd announce the prices of each vendor's food to help keep the prices low. At 50% below their usual store price, the farmers sold a much greater volume and were still able to make a nice profit. And the people were able to afford healthy organic food. The city gives the farmers free space to help offset the price control prices. In the end, the consumers pay less and the farmers earn more.

The farmer's markets were essential, because no food was being grown in impovererished areas. This was stated as one of the best things they did to help fight hunger. Adriana Aranhas frequently visits local farmers to encourage more of them to participate in this farmer's market program and to grow organic produce.

I'm not sure how this would apply to our area. Does anyone know someone who works for the city? It'd be nice to have someone help out who has some knowledge of how things like this get approved in our city government. I'd imagine the Cooperative Extension Agency might be able to help if you pick this aspect to focus on. They may have a list of organic farmers in Forsyth County.

In looking at the USDA site, I found some interesting facts about farmer's markets: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3010362&acct=wdmgeninfo

Here are some highlights from this site:
Gleaning is an alternative to conventional market entrance fees for vendors, USDA requires that vendors participate in a USDA food-gleaning program. This strategy works effectively, as USDA formed a partnership with the D.C. Central Kitchen to collect all food and/or food products donated by farmers at the close of each market day. With donated food and/or food products from USDA, wholesalers, food banks, and other sources, the organization prepares over 2,500 meals daily and distributes them to adults and children in more than 80 nonprofit shelters and feeding programs throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Identifying the Market Site
Preliminary identification and assessment of a market site are essential in determining the feasibility of the project. Give initial consideration to : -- Location: Identify a site with optimum visibility from streets and walkways. -- Space: Assess the number of vendors the site will accommodate. -- Availability: Determine days and hours the site is available. -- Restrictions: Determine if restrictions prevent non-Federal consumers from attending.

Forsyth County has several farmer's markets, some of which are new:

Dixie Classic Farmer’s Market, Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem (Enter parking area off 27th St.) Saturdays 6am-1pm. Local and non local vendors.

Krankie’s Local Market, 211 E. 3rd St., Winston-Salem. (336)-723-7189. Tuesdays 11am-1 pm. Krankie’s Local Market features locally grown foods from farmers using sustainable
methods. The market is a joint effort between Krankie’s Coffee and Triad Buying Co-op
Inc.

Casanova’s Coffee & Fudge, 6275 Shallowford Rd, Lewisville. (336)-946-2407. Saturday: 8am-12pm. Local vendor from Lewisville, vegetables, fruit, & sometimes eggs.

The Children’s Home, 1001 Reynolda Rd. Winston-Salem. (336)- 721-7600 Email: kmacpherson@tchome.org Tuesday: 10am-12pm, Thursday: 4pm-6pm. Squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, flowers, herbs, and other seasonal crops are for sale. All produce grown by The Children’s Home.

Downtown City Market, Corner of 6th and Cherry St. Winston-Salem. Tuesday & Thursday: 9am-1pm. May – September. Local and non local vendors.

Gary’s Produce 6225 Strieter Rd, Pfafftown. (336)- 945-5964. Currently Thursday: 9-4pm, Call ahead for hours of operation. All produce is grown by one local farmer, all produce is organic.

Reynolda Farmer's Market is in the old Pink Mink store on Reynolda (near Buena Vista Rd.). I think it's open most days of the week. Local fruits and vegetables from NC, SC and VA. Also bakery items from Ollie's and that other local bakery downtown.

--The City Beverage on 915 Burke St. holds an organic farmer's market every 1st and 3rd
Saturday from 12-4pm. The farmers from Yadkinville's Shore Farms sell their organic produce here.

Ideas of how we can get involved:
--Research, brainstorm and implement new ways to encourage more organic farmers to come to Forsyth County. (includes coming up with new ways to get the community and restaurants to support organic farmers)
--Work with CFSA, CHANGE, the city and other organizations to research and implement ways to encourage existing organic farmers in our area to set up price controlled and/or regularly priced farmer's markets in impoverished areas
--See if Nature's Path Health Food Company would be interested in helping out in our area--they've bought 2200 acres of organic farmland and have made it available to experienced organic farmers. They also support the Rodale Institute which has a program that encourages and educates farmers about organic farming
Questions: --Does gleaning of the farmer's markets exist in Forsyth County?
--How would the farmer's market food be delivered? By the farmers, or would a third party, such as the Food Bank, become involved in distribution?
--Do our farmer's markets have EBT (Electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits)? Some farmer's markets do:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/