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Cut Flower Markets And Marketing In The Intermountain West, Makylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

This fact sheet discusses different markets for cut flowers in the Intermountain West, including wholesale and direct-to-consumer markets. Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture and subscription services, u-pick operations, farm venues, and online options are explored, as well as using social media to advertise and build clientele.

Inclusive, Accessible, And Successful: Is It Possible? ​A Case Study Analysis Of How To Curate An Enduring Justice-Centered Farmers Market In Lewiston, Me​, Annie Cc Conway

Standard Theses

Food Security is the physical and economic access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food at all levels of society to ensure a healthy and happy lifestyle for all people; this theme intersects with other topics such as food justice, food deserts, and food sovereignty. In the United States, 11.4 % of the population receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits (SNAP) while in Maine, 12.1% do and in Lewiston, this number more than doubles, with 24.4% of the local population receiving SNAP benefits. Thus, Lewiston, Maine provides an interesting locale to understand how the national, regional, and local food system impacts local …

Small Farmers’ Use Of Social Media And Other Channels For Marketing Their Agricultural Products, Carlos Alberto Moreno-Ortiz, Donna J. Peterson Dr., Alba J. Collart, Laura Downey, Susan Seal, Roberto Gallardo

The Journal of Extension

We examined small farmers’ use of and preference for different channels for marketing agricultural products and explored differences by gender, age group, and education level. Farmers markets and social media were preferred channels, with participants under age 55 being more likely than those 55 and over to prefer and use social media and agree that social media would be useful for promoting products and increasing sales. While selling via social media could provide a larger market, one challenge is that the average age of Mississippi farm operators is 59. Therefore, Extension must consider multiple approaches for delivering training on marketing.

Farmers Markets And Single-Use Plastic: Why Environmentally Conscious Consumers Don’T Bring Reusable Bags, Scott Hardy, Jill Bartolotta

The Journal of Extension

This study looks at the role of Extension in helping local officials reduce plastic bag use at farmers markets in three Lake County, OH communities. We distributed free reusable bags to shoppers and conducted an education and outreach program. We then took observations to determine if the free reusable bags were being used. We also invited shoppers to take a voluntary survey about their environmental attitudes, why or why not they use the reusable bags, and how best to reduce plastic bag use moving forward. Results from the study suggest that supplying free reusable bags at farmer markets is not …

Buy Produce For Your Neighbor: Supporting Local Agriculture, Lacee Jimenez, Hiram Wigant, Casey Coombs, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

For Utahns experiencing food insecurity, eating adequate fruits and vegetables may be difficult due to limited access to fresh produce. Buy Produce for Your Neighbor is a healthy food drive that increases the amount of fresh produce in community food pantries and supports local agriculture.

Mindful Consumerism With Shell It Out (Episode 3), Annie Jones, Cianna Fullen, Seryna Bonacorso

OtterPod

No abstract provided.

Social Media Use For Farmers Market Communications In Illinois, Dandan Tao, Taylor Kathryne Ruth, Janie Maxwell, Hao Feng

The Journal of Extension

Social media has been recognized as a powerful tool supporting communication of many topics in the agriculture industry. We explored the use of social media platforms among farmers market managers and specialty crop growers in Illinois through an online survey. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were platforms used by the majority of respondents. We found that social media was used primarily for communicating with consumers for marketing purposes. We identified major training needs of farmers market stakeholders related to using social media to promote business and convey food safety information.

Survey Of Farmers Market Managers In California: Food Safety Perspectives, Aida F.A. Pires, Esther A. Kukielka, Viktoria Haghani, James K. Stover, Thais De Melo Ramos, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Michelle T. Jay-Russell

The Journal of Extension

We conducted a survey to characterize certified California farmers markets (FMs) regarding location, seasonality, size, product, product labeling, advertising methods, postharvest practices, regulations governing vendors, training offered, and training interests. Data obtained from the survey highlight the need for improvement regarding food safety and can serve as a basis for development of collaborative education by Extension educators, regulatory agencies, and FMs. Extension professionals can play a proactive role in such training opportunities, focusing outreach efforts for training according to applicable findings and including online training venues to maximize reach to stakeholders.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Local Food System: Early Findings From Vermont, Emily H. Belarmino, Farryl Bertmann, Thomas Wentworth, Erin Biehl, Roni Neff, Meredith T. Niles

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected people worldwide, disrupting food access and security. To understand how food systems and security are impacted during this pandemic, an online survey was launched in Vermont from March 29th - April 12th, 2020 (less than a week after the Governor’s Stay Home/Stay Safe order). A total of 3,219 Vermonters responded, and nearly half provided written comments in response to open-ended questions about worries or general remarks. This brief summarizes survey findings and respondent comments relevant to the local food system, specifically local farms and direct-to-consumer sales, home food production, foraging, hunting, and fishing. …

Food Accessibility Related To The Double Your Dollar Program, Julia Carlson, Heather Friedrich, Mechelle Bailey, Curt Rom

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The Double Your Dollar (DYD) Program is a program that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) participants match dollars to spend at local farmers markets. The DYD’s goal is to incentivize healthy eating among individuals of low income and promote spending at farmers markets. Food insecurity affects over 60,000 individuals in Washington and Benton counties in Arkansas. The aim of this study was to assess how the DYD program impacted users’ food accessibility and how the program could be improved for the future. A survey was used to address basic demographics, type, …

An Analysis Of The Success Of Farmers Markets In Kentucky Using Logistic Regression And Support Vector Machines, Jeron Russell

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The purpose of this research is to look at the relationship that market-specific, economic, and demographic variables have with the success of farmers markets in Kentucky. It additionally seeks to build a tool for predicting farmers market success that could be used by policy makers to aid in decision-making processes concerning farmers markets. Logistic regression and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are used on data acquired from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the American Community Survey in order to analyze the data in a traditional statistical approach as well as a machine learning approach. The results included an SVM model …

Exploring The Role Of Social Capital In The Implementation Of Fruit And Vegetable Incentive Programs: A Case Study Of The Appalachian Farmacy Program, Kiriinya Mwirigi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study was conducted to explore the role of social capital in the implementation of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs (FVIP) through a case study of the Appalachian Farmacy (AF) program and to fill a gap in literature on social capital utility in the implementation and evaluation of FVIPs. The study was guided by a conceptual model adopted from Berkman et al. (2000) to identify the mechanisms through which social networks can impact health. A qualitative content analysis was conducted retrospectively on secondary data from the evaluation of AF program to identify social capital attributes. In addition, the study conducted …

Infrastructures Of Taste: Rethinking Local Food Histories In Lithuania, Renata Blumberg, Diana Mincyte

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Lithuania hosts a diversity of places that offer consumers a taste of local food, which appear to mirror the recent popularity of local and alternative food initiatives globally. In this paper we show that the proliferation of local foods in the region is not a novel phenomenon, nor is it solely a manifestation of taste preferences or identities associated with food. Drawing on the growing scholarly work on the role of infrastructures in mediating social, economic and political relations, we conceptualize the taste for local food as embedded in broader networks and reproduced through material facilities. To advance this argument, …

Farmer’S Perspective On The Local Food System And Challenges And Successes Of Modern Farming, Janet Wojcik, Cynthia Tant, James Ferebee, Chris Penny, Jennifer Stalford

The World of Food: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on What We Eat and Grow

Moderated panel of local farmers discussing farming in the New South and the local food system.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Fund, Glenna Rose Sprenger

Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Farmers Market Rules And Policies: Content And Design Suggestions (From A Lawyer), Jay A. Mitchell

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Farmers market rules and policies can set out what products can be sold, how vendors are selected, what’s expected of vendors from growing practices to signage to paperwork, and how vendors are disciplined or removed from the market. Rules and policies can do even more, adding to their length and complexity. The landscape gets even more complex when the rules are accompanied by separate vendor applications, hold-harmless agreements, membership materials, and the market has a website providing additional information. All this can put a quite a reading burden on vendors and quite a management burden on the market. This article …

Perfect Food: Perspectives On Consumer Perceptions Of Fresh Produce Quality, Caitlin Finlayson

Geography Articles

Over the past century, the global food system has largely shifted from a localized, decentralized agricultural model to more centralized, industrial food production system. Corresponding with this shift was a change in consumer preferences, an expectation for “perfect” fruits and vegetables that has contributed to a significant problem with wasted food. An alternative food system, aimed at providing locally-grown, sustainable produce has countered this model and has sought to reconnect consumers and producers. At the same time, this alternative model still exists within a larger agricultural system dominated by industrial production and standardization. This paper examines how the changes in …

A Community-Based Marketing Campaign At Farmers Markets To Encourage Fruit And Vegetable Purchases In Rural Counties With High Rates Of Obesity, Kentucky, 2015-2016, Emily M. Dewitt, Margaret Louise Mcgladrey, Emily Liu, Nicole Rachael Peritore, Kelly H. Webber, Brooke F. Butterworth, Ann Vail, Alison A. Gustafson

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Availability of farmers markets may increase fruit and vegetable consumption among rural residents of the United States. We conducted a community-based marketing campaign, Plate it Up Kentucky Proud (PIUKP), in 6 rural communities over 2 years to determine the association between exposure to the campaign and fruit and vegetable purchases, adjusted for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipient status. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds of the PIUKP campaign influencing purchases. Awareness of the PIUKP marketing campaign was significantly associated with a willingness to prepare fruits and vegetables at home. Using marketing strategies at farmers markets may be an …

Farm-To-Fork Fresh Produce Food Safety: An Evaluation Of Perceptions, Knowledge, And Implementation Of Good Agriculture Practices In Kentucky, Daniel J. Sinkel

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Farmers’ markets have increasingly become a popular venue for purchase of fresh, locally-grown produce, with the number of farmers’ markets in Kentucky reaching an all-time high of 159 in 2016. Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) is a program created by the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service to function as a food safety audit for small-scale fresh produce growers, such as those who sell fresh produce at local farmers’ markets. However, under the provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, small-scale farmers who sell an average of $25,000 in annual fresh produce sales across the span of three years are exempt …

A Complement, Not A Competitor: How Public Markets Can Support Business Districts In Worcester, Ron M. Barron

Sustainability and Social Justice

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible economic and community development impacts of entry-level public markets (e.g. fixed location markets, farmers markets, etc.) on the communities in which they operate. While there is extensive literature around their benefits to vendors, community health and public space, there is comparative little on the interplay between these markets and more traditional brick and mortar businesses. The background and definition of these markets, the basic common characteristics that define them, and some of the benefits they can offer for economic and community development are each explored. It then examines two different …

Low-Income Mothers' Perceptions Of Barriers To Using Farmers Markets: A Snap-Ed Initiative To Understand Access Points To Local Foods, Sarah A. Misyak, Meredith Ledllie Johnson, Mary M. Mcferren, Jennifer L. Culhane, Kim L. Niewolny, Kathryn Hosig, Elena Serrano

The Journal of Extension

The study reported here describes a Virginia Family Nutrition Program's target population's perceptions of barriers to using a farmers market to access local foods. Mothers from a rural county photographed their shopping experience. Using a photo elicitation process to develop themes related to food access, the mothers identified barriers to shopping at farmers markets. The results can provide guidance to agents, program assistants, and farmers market coordinators on promoting use of farmers markets by low-income populations. The development of experiential learning opportunities to overcome barriers is critical if farmers markets are encouraged as an avenue for promoting healthy eating.

College Students’ Use Of Farmers’ Markets In Lincoln, Nebraska, Amber Reinkordt

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of college students’ use of local farmers’ markets in Lincoln, Nebraska and the barriers that prevent college students from attending farmers’ markets, and noting the incentives that could motivate them to attend.

Currently there are no research articles about college students and their attendance at farmers' markets. There are, however, articles pertaining to getting students on the farm, school gardens, low income families and making farmers' markets more accessible and affordable, health benefits for customers who shop locally, and environmental, economic, and societal benefits of local farm operations.

Food Safety Knowledge, Behavior, And Attitudes Of Vendors Of Poultry Products Sold At Pennsylvania Farmers' Markets, Joshua Scheinberg, Rama Radhakrishna, Catherine N. Cutter

The Journal of Extension

A needs assessment survey was developed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of poultry vendors at farmers' markets in Pennsylvania, on food safety, regulation, and poultry production. Vendors were administered a 32-question paper survey, in person, during market hours. The results revealed critical vendor practices and identified important vendor knowledge gaps and attitudes on food safety and poultry processing. The data obtained from the study will aid in the development of future farmers' market research, as well as generating training and outreach materials on food safety for vendors selling meat and poultry products at farmers' markets.

A Current Overview And Analysis Of The 21st Century Kansas Farmers Markets, Skylar M.G. Joyner

Skylar M.G. Joyner

A Current Overview and Analysis of the 21st Century Kansas Farmers Markets from a #11;Social Enterprise Perspective

Assessment Of Consumer Motivations To Attend Farmers' Markets, Their Preferences, And Their Willingness To Pay For Differentiated Fresh Produce: Three Essays, Jean Dominique Gumirakiza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this public abstract is to present research objectives, societal benefits, and costs associated with this dissertation. This dissertation is one the outcomes of a three-year $155,450.86 project whose number is UTA01008. Kynda Curtis, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Economics proposed the project to assess consumer demand and purchase motivations for differentiated produce across direct marketing outlets. In general, this dissertation seeks to analyze consumer primary motivations for attending farmers’ markets, their preferences, and their willingness to pay for differentiated fresh produce. To accomplish this task, we develop three essays.

Specific objectives for the first essay are to …

Increasing The Healthiness Of Consumers Through Farmers Markets, Megan Parsons, Alfonso Morales

The Journal of Extension

As health and wellness issues in the U.S. continue to rise, Extension workers are presented with an opportunity to use nontraditional methods to support public health. Farmers markets serve many goals, the most important of which revolves around individual and community health. They are among popular tools for supporting public health by making healthy food readily available, thus treating obesity and reinforcing the idea of good nutrition. The number of farmers markets in the U.S. continues to grow, and this steady increase demands that Extension, planning, and other policy professionals understand the various individual and public health goals they achieve.

Farmers Markets And The Local Food System: The Case Of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Paul A. Di Salvo, Claire Quinn, Robin Arnold, Caroline Clark, Suzanne Englot, Andrew Mello, Julia P. Mitchell, Emily Ruhl, Rebecca Taormina, Cashin Conover, Valerie Leone, Michael Mattaini, William Patton, Elizabeth Rouillard, Nicholas Smith-Herman, Jordan Swenson, Kelly Webster, Brian Wooldredge, Randall K. Wilson

Student Publications

In order to examine and obtain a better understanding of the local food system within Adams County, Pennsylvania, this study explores the characteristics and perspectives of the customers and vendors at the farmers markets in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Survey findings from the Gettysburg Farmers Market and the three Adams County Farmers Markets include customer demographic information, perspectives and shopping behavior as well as vendor product information, farm size and location and preference for market management. Introductory background information on the Farm Bill and the influence of agricultural practices on the environment, human health and nutrition and the relationship between farmers markets …

Eating Green: Coverage Of The Locavore Movement, Amanda Ruth-Mcswain

The Journal of Extension

Various environmental, health, and food safety concerns have affected the purchasing decision of consumers and contributed to the growing demand for local produce and products, all of which can be found at local farmers markets. The research reported here adds knowledge about the media coverage regarding the role of farmers markets in local food consumption. Through a framing analysis of newspapers from eight different U.S. cities, the study revealed that four frames describe the coverage on the farmers markets and the buying local trend. Suggestions for Extension outreach efforts based on the locavore movement are offered.

Regional Foodsheds: Are Our Local Zoning And Land Use Regulations Healthy?, Patricia Salkin, Amy Lavine

Patricia E. Salkin

Governments at all levels have become increasingly interested in fostering healthy eating habits and sustainable agricultural production. Promoting access to locally grown produce is an important part of many policy goals seeking to address these concerns, and the concept of regional foodsheds has risen in popularity as one method to achieve these goals. Research indicates that community based food systems have the potential to address food security, public health, social justice, and ecological health. Food production and consumption patterns are influenced by a range of federal, state, and municipal policies, but meaningful change in regional food system policies is likely …

Regional Foodsheds: Are Our Local Zoning And Land Use Regulations Healthy?, Patricia E. Salkin, Amy Lavine

Scholarly Works

Governments at all levels have become increasingly interested in fostering healthy eating habits and sustainable agricultural production. Promoting access to locally grown produce is an important part of many policy goals seeking to address these concerns, and the concept of regional foodsheds has risen in popularity as one method to achieve these goals. Research indicates that community based food systems have the potential to address food security, public health, social justice, and ecological health. Food production and consumption patterns are influenced by a range of federal, state, and municipal policies, but meaningful change in regional food system policies is likely …