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Farmers' Vlarl:cls http://attra.ncat.org/ath•a-pub/farmi»rkt.html ~~ Vocal and state regulations. How is the market affected by health and safety st~u~dtu•ds for food handling? ;<115L1raY1CC, Physical liability insurance in case of injuries or accidents can be purchased by the market or by individual vendors. The enclosed articles will help you to answer some of these questions. Materials listed unrler f urtfler Rcsotn•ceti are also useful, not only for ideas, but for examples of how various markets have written their by-laws, rules, and regulations. An established fart~ners' markets can be among the jewels.of the community, and for this reason should have strong support from the Chamber of Commerce or economic development council. Cities often provide space for a market free-of-charge. They can also help promote special events and that draw customers both to the market and to shops in the vicinity. 'The city may be willing to construct shelters to give vendors and customers protection From rain and sun. >n: i~; ;~ ~ 1, ~l~ ~~'~~~e~•t~~ E~ssi ytaa~~eo 'S'IC, F'I1/II~1P ~»cl SFIVINP' A federal program that benefits both vendors and low-income customers is the Women, Infants, and Chilch•en (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), established in 1992. It provides special coupons to WIC participants, which they can ttse to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets. The program has two goals: To provide fresh nutritious unprepared food such as fruits and vegetables to WIC participants who are at nutritional risk; and "ho expand consumer awareness and use of farmers' markets. During Fiscal fear 2000, ] 2,897 farmers and 1,622 farmers' markets were authorized to accept (~MN1' coupons. The most current information on the program can be found at the (.1`~1:~:'-~ ~utriti~.~n !'~5~;istance Programs ~~~'eb site. A new Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) awards grants to states, U. S. territories, and federally recognized tribal governments to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supl~orfed agriculture (CSA) programs. Go to the USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs ~~', C'l) ~itc for more details and to learn whether the program is operating in your state. Additional information on USDA efforts to assist farmers' markets can be found at the ~:;'~'I:~:; I~arrrlers ,Vlark~~ts `~~eb site. i',_~t h_r~~ to ~-cd-s~r~z ~ ~t~c~ess tat ~ I~,~ra~er~' l~Ia~~~eet A successful market depends on successful vendors. Lynn Bycynski, editor and publisher of G,°rnvir,,~~ fo,- Mcr,-/;~~, put together a special issue on how to be successful at farmers' mtu•kets. In a nutshell, Bycynski advises: Offer the highest-quality products. Set fair prices. 3 oi' t; 10/2/07 9: 12 r1 ~t9