Tips on Starting a Certified Farmers� Market

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					              Tips on Starting a Certified Farmers’ Market
    The set up of a farmers’ market at or near (within 1 mile) your WIC location has
been found to be beneficial to both the WIC participants and the WIC local agency.
Having a farmers’ market in close proximity to your local WIC office significantly
increases redemption rates for the FMNP checks. Many WIC agencies also run their
nutrition education classes in conjunction with their local farmers’ markets. Participants
are also more likely to patronize a farmers’ market if they come out of your WIC office
and find that it is in your parking lot!

    Farmers’ markets provide increased accessibility to proper nutrition for WIC
participants and easy access to fresh grown fruits and vegetables picked at the peak of
their season. Farmers’ markets create a link for full participation amongst all members
of the community. Everyone involved benefits from farmers’ markets!

   1. Set up timeline for proposed project.
   2. Identify potential stakeholders (agricultural producers, farmers, and farms) as
      well as potential funding sources in area.
   3. Contact county agriculture commissioners to issue necessary permits.
   4. Contact city administrator for necessary licenses needed to operate farmers’
   5. Contact management with plan and for permission.
   6. Identify location for market.
   7. Conduct survey of best days, times, season, etc.
   8. Establish a budget and identify costs.

   1. Prepare presentation to present to city council.
   2. Identify two or more farmers who express interest in participating in the Farmers’
   3. Present information needed to become certified by the County Agriculture
      Commission and the WIC FMNP.
   4. Maintain management participation and support.
   5. Clarify roles among planning and marketing teams.

   1. Confirm market location and times.
   2. Conduct external and internal marketing of new farmers’ market.
   3. Be aware of budget and any financial constraints.
   4. Communicate with WIC program, management, stakeholders, and WIC
       participants to inform them of dates and times of new farmers’ market.
   5. Plan grand opening.
   6. Evaluate farmers’ market for successes and any improvements that can be

                  Common Characteristics of Farmers’ Market Set-Up

1. Implementation requirements
       - Agency participation and buy-in
       - Support from key operation departments
       - Market location in high traffic area or in area with captive audience

2. Planning
       - 4 to 9 months

3. Costs
      - Permit: price varies depending on city ($0 - $1300)
      - Signs/Banners: $200 - $500
      - Staffing: variable
      - Health Education materials (optional): variable
      - Other (tables, tents, gift baskets, raffle prizes, etc.): variable
      - Staff planning time

Other resources:
California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets:

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program:

Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association:

California Department of Food and Agriculture:

Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA:

Southland Farmers’ Market Association:

Adapted from Gloria Pecina, United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley Incorporated, “Proposed
FMNP Project: Opening a New County Agriculture Commission and WIC Certified Farmers’ Market”


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