California Alliance of Farmers' Markets

April is a central valley native who grew up in the small agriculture rich town of Dinuba, California. She is the founding Director of the DownTown Visalia Certified Farmers Market, a small Farmers Market primarily consisting of historically underrepresented populations. As a mother, an Herbalist, and a business owner in the historic DownTown District of Visalia, California, April credits her success in part to her relationship with the Visalia Farmers Market Organization which spans more than 8 years. This includes service to the organization as the member-elected Executive Secretary. April believes that Farmers Markets are integral components of a healthy community, and she is passionate about advancing the Farmers Market industry while cultivating new generations of producers.

YOU’RE INVITED! We are hosting a policy panel and roundtable discussion. Find out what the Alliance Policy Group is doing this year and share what policy means to you at a state, local, or national level. We want to hear what’s at the top of mind for you. This event is on Tuesday, May 28th from 9-10 AM via Zoom. Registration link in bio!

Why are you choosing to be a trainer? To be honest, I’m a fairly new market manager myself! I believe the best way to learn and grow is for people in community to share their experiences, and it so happens that I love to connect with people in the farmers’ market community.

What is your market superpower? I refer to my market superpower as “my witchy sense,” when I mysteriously know when there’s something going on at the other side of the market which needs attention.

Are you a California-based farmers market in California seeking an intern? The California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets is offering a farmers’ market marketing internship and is currently seeking applicants for host sites. This program will run from June to August and interns will be paired with farmers’ markets in their local community. The internship will consist of working at a farmers’ market both behind the scenes and at markets, creating marketing materials for them, and simultaneously taking a local food systems marketing course.

Interested markets, please fill out the applications at the link in bio, due April 15th. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Meet our Alliance Steering Committee! We are so grateful for their leadership and contribution to the betterment of the farmers’ market industry!

We are welcoming three new members of the Steering Committee: Brijet Myers (Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Markets, San Diego), Sam Greenlee (Alchemist CDC, Sacramento), and Allen Moy (PCFMA, Concord).

We are saying a huge thank you and farewell to Catt White, Ben Palazzolo, and Elizabeth Bowman.

The fight to save Market Match is more critical than ever, and we need your support to make our voices heard. As the state’s financial forecast worsens, the future of Market Match funding hangs in the balance. If your market organization is a reasonable driving/train distance of Sacramento, join us (and invite stakeholders) for a 
SAVE MARKET MATCH RALLY this Wednesday, March 20th at 12:30 pm at the Capitol Building in Sacramento. Let lawmakers know firsthand how vital Market Match is to you, and thousands of Californians who rely on it. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the American Heart Association. Click the link in our bio to RSVP

The fight to save Market Match is more critical than ever, and we need your support to make our voices heard. As the state’s financial forecast worsens, the future of Market Match funding hangs in the balance. If your market organization is a reasonable driving/train distance of Sacramento, join us (and invite stakeholders) for a 
SAVE MARKET MATCH RALLY this Wednesday, March 20th at 12:30 pm at the Capitol Building in Sacramento. Let lawmakers know firsthand how vital Market Match is to you, and thousands of Californians who rely on it. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the American Heart Association. Link in bio to RSVP

We want your feedback! Click the link in our bio to sign up for a 15-20min phone call to answer questions about your experience with the CA Farmers Market Alliance. Your feedback will help us improve our services based on your challenges, needs, and requests.

We want your feedback on the needs and priorities of farmers markets across California, and how we can better serve our Alliance members.

The survey will close on March 17th. Click the link in the bio to complete the survey.

Reach out to [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are offering a beginner-level Market Manager Training Program at the CA Small Farms Conference. We have a limited amount of partial and full scholarships for this program so if you’re interested please email [email protected] by Wednesday, February 21st.
The first part of this CA Market Manager Certificate Program is on Monday, February 26th and the following 3 parts will be in March, April, and May all on Zoom. To learn more click the link in our bio.

There are so many Alliance accomplishments to celebrate from 2023!
In addition to the accomplishments listed here, we also had a few highlights in promotion, including:

•50,883 click-thrus to FMFinder.org 
•Published 4 promotional videos translated to Spanish and Chinese 
•Reached over 8,000 organic views on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).

Thank you to all the leaders in the food and farming industry, here’s to a great 2023 and an even better 2024!

Reposted from

‼️Market Match is at risk‼️Swipe to learn more & visit our Linktree (in bio) for ways to support.

Market Match, funded by the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), is a critical safety net program for shoppers and directly supports . Millions of Californians rely on Market Match.

your constituents are counting on you to in the

Join us for a week of transformative workshops and panels at the California Small Farm Conference There will be over 60 events online and around the state that focus on ecological farming, sales and marketing, farm technology, small business management, social issues in agriculture, and more! Click the link in our bio to explore and register.

Welcome, Marikit to the Food and Farming Program team! We look forward to witnessing her dedication and passion for the farmers’ market industry. Marikit is excited to join the team and use her skills in environmental justice advocacy to contribute to the work of the Alliance and continue to increase food access at California Certified Farmers Markets.

🔊🔊🔊Get EBT access at your market!

Couldn't let this celebratory week go by without acknowledging the amazing people behind the . We want to give a huge shout out to the Steering Committee and staff members for all of their dedication and passion for the farmers' market industry. Introducing 3 new members of the Steering Commitee: Tasha Ardalan (SoCal Farmers' Market, San Diego), Emma Burke (Alchemist CDC, Sacramento), and April Treona Lancaster. (DT Visalia Farmers' Market, Visalia).

Making sure everyone can access all markets is important to us. If you're not sure your market is ADA compliant: aisles/ "walking" surfaces should have a clear width of at least 36 inches. This should be easy to do since the fire code compliance requires for all pathways to be no less than 20 feet wide! Check out "Creating Size-Inclusive Market," created by the National Farmers' Market Coalition, and the Farmers' Market Legal Toolkit, (both linked in bio) for directions to ensure access for all.

Did you know? According to the USDA, farmers who sell at are more likely to stay in business than those that don’t. Support your nearby farmers, producers, and artisanal vendors this week (and always!). Did you know? There are 660 certified farmers markets in the state of California? Check out FMFinder.org to find a farmers' market near you.

We are celebrating August 6-12th! Visit and shop at a farmers market by visiting FMFinder.org to find a farmers’ market near you!

⚠️ 3 things to know about the California Fruits and Veggies EBT Pilot Program ⚠️

1. this is a limited pilot at 8 farmers' markets around California
2. We're posting this for those who participate in markets that are piloting this program
3. We are collecting feedback from participating markets and sharing that in the future — to ensure that Farmers Markets don’t get left behind in any state/federal nutrition incentive programs and efforts

Join the California Alliance of Farmers' Markets for a virtual De-Escalation Training facilitated by Right To Be on
Wednesday, April 26th, 10am-12pm.

At this training, farmers' market professionals will gain bystander intervention and conflict de-escalation skills specifically to utilize at farmers' markets.

The event is open to all farmers market professionals in California. General admission $10 and Alliance Members $5 with promo code: AllianceMember23. Register at link in bio.

Are you a California-based college student seeking an internship this summer or a farmers market in California seeking an intern? The California Alliance of Farmers' Markets is offering a farmers' market marketing internship and is currently seeking applicants for both interns and host sites. This program will run from June through August and interns will be paid and paired with farmers' markets in their local community. The internship will consist of working at a farmers' market both behind the scenes and at markets, creating marketing materials for them, and simultaneously taking a local food systems marketing course. Interested students and markets, please fill out the applications at the link in bio, due April 14th and/or reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Thank you to those who participated in the fall listening tour 
interview sessions! We have collected lots of informative and helpful feedback from you all.
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Additionally, we are offering another format to hear from (more of) you!

As an Alliance, we want to learn what farmers' market industry members' priorities are. We aim to better serve our members with trainings, resources, and advocacy that are best geared towards your needs.

⚠️LINK IN BIO to complete the survey⚠️

Thank you to those who participated in the fall listening tour 
interview sessions! We have collected lots of informative and helpful feedback from you all.

Additionally, we are offering another format to hear from (more of) you!

As an Alliance, we want to learn what farmers' market industry members' priorities are. We aim to better serve our members with trainings, resources, and advocacy that are best geared towards your needs.

⚠️LINK IN BIO to complete the survey⚠️

Application NOW OPEN:
Be part of the Alliance's BIPOC Working Group!

⚠️link in bio for the full fob description, and to apply⚠️

DEADLINE: Friday, January 28th, 2023

(two-year commitment required)