Farmers markets

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help promote healthy childhood environments. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Increases access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Aim to deliver financial and environmental benefits for stakeholders in local and regional food systems
Issue Areas
Health and well-being
Outcomes
Supportive neighborhoods
Strategies
Parks and public spaces
Improving access to healthy food
Target Population
Community-wide
Cost per Participant
Not available

Evidence and impacts

Strong

Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps

  • Boosts access to healthy food
  • Reduces disparities in access to fruits and vegetables
  • Livelier pedestrian environment in the community as a result of attendant zoning and changes in the streetscape to support markets

Best practices in implementation

  • Note: This content is under review
  • Zoning reform is often necessary in establishing farmers markets
  • Community-wide education, promotion, and financial incentives can all increase utilization of farmers markets
  • Barriers to farmers market use include transportation issues, lack of information on location and hours, and limited payment methods, like markets not accepting electronic benefit transfer payment for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
  • Increasing transportation options, expanding market hours and locations, promoting awareness, and offering community health education may support farmers market use

Learn more: