Benefits of Working with the City Farms Markets

Additional Income

Some of the benefits of working with a market are obvious. Like all businesses, selling through City Farms markets is a good way to make additional income for the farm.

Flexibility selling to the markets

The City Farms Markets provide different options for farmers to sell their products through the market. The market managers are willing to work with the farmers to create a system that works best for everyone. This means there are a range of ways you can sell to the market – being there yourself, having a volunteer or paid community member to sell for you, hiring someone from the community to sell for you, dropping off your produce for the market to sell, or the market manager picking up produce from you at a different market and then selling your produce. See pages 185-186 for Different Options for Selling to the Markets. And the market network is always looking for additional, creative ways to sell local, fresh food at the markets.

Just Food Support

Just Food works with farmers to find markets that are convenient and make economic sense for the farmers. Just Food takes into account where and when farmers are already doing markets in the city to find which new markets make the most sense. Just Food is also available to farmers throughout the season to help support them as needed.

Being part of a community

The City Farms Markets are run by members of the local community. As a result, the market manager knows what their community wants and works to make that happen. Farmers build strong relationships with their market managers that extend beyond business. City Farms markets create a gathering spot for the community. The market is about more than just food – it’s about educational activities, cooking demonstrations, and serves as a place to have a good conversation with neighbors.

Bridging rural-urban connections

Community gardeners growing food in New York City have a great appreciation for the work that farmers do. Working alongside them at markets is an opportunity to share advice and experience. Also, these community gardeners educate the community on a daily basis about growing food, which increases appreciation for farmers’ work.

Selling fresh food in communities that otherwise don’t have access

The City Farms Markets are started with the goal of increasing the amount of affordable, fresh produce in neighborhoods that do not currently have good access. Market managers run their markets as a labor of love to benefit both their community and local farmers. By selling at the markets, you will be participating in this public service as well. And more importantly, residents appreciate good, fresh food!

Fun

The City Farms Markets are run by people who love their community and who want to be at the market. Market managers, volunteers, employees, and customers enjoy being at the market because it is fun.