The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) aims to strengthen farmers markets and promote local food in Michigan. Its vision is for farmers markets to lead the local food movement and ensure all residents can access healthy, locally grown food. MIFMA offers members benefits like liability insurance, educational programs, and technical assistance to help markets grow. It also works to expand acceptance of SNAP benefits at farmers markets across the state.

2. 2006
Planning and Visioning
Mission: The Michigan Farmers Market Association advances
farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and
farm products.
Vision: The Michigan Farmers Market Association places
farmers markets at the forefront of the local food movement and
works to ensure all residents have access to healthy, locally grown
food and that Michigan farmers markets receive policy support.

3. Membership
Farmers Markets
First year markets $75 Farmers and
9 or fewer vendors $75 Vendors $50
10-25 vendors $150 Friends of MIFMA
26-75 vendors $250 Organization or Business $100
76 or more vendor $350 Individual or Household $30

4. MIFMA Membership
80
70
Number of Members
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Membership Category
Farmers Markets Farmers/Vendors Friends

5. Membership
Benefits
MaryBeth Iaconelli of Farmington Hills shows off her beautiful
basket of farmers market goodies. Photo taken by Scott Stevenson.

6. Liability Insurance
• Available for farmers/vendors and farmers markets
• Special group rate limited to members
• $1 million in general and product liability coverage
• Available from April 1 through March 31
• Provided by Advanced Insurance Markets
• Underwritten by Westfield Insurance

7. 10% Discount on Purchases
Discounted SBAM Membership

8. Reduced Rates
on Educational
Programming
and Events

9. Annual Market Manager Boot Camps
March 2008 and 2009

10. Project FRESH Regional Workshops

11. Rapid Market Assessments

12. RMAs Organized and Conducted by
MIFMA and MSU
2009 – 10
2008- 6
2007 – 14
2005 – 4, MSU

13. 1. Attendance Counts
Counting shoppers who enter the market during a 10-minute period
• Identify entrances and boundaries
• Only count adults
• Only count entering shoppers
• Count every hour from --:25 to --:35
• Multiply 10-minute totals by 6 for hourly estimate
• Sum hourly estimates for estimate of total market attendance

14. • Attracts a large number of consumers
2. Dot Surveys
• Self-service research approach
• Responses are indicated using colorful,
stickers
• Allows consumers to see how others have
responded
• Limited number of questions
• By replacing posters throughout the
day, we can analyze the data by time
period

15. 3. Constructive Comments/Observations
A Complete RMA
Three worksheets:
1. Site Physical Characteristics
2. Vendor and Products
3. Market Atmosphere

16. Resources Available Online:
www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu

17. Accepting SNAP Benefits at
Farmers Markets
Training Sessions
Thursday, February 26th in Detroit, MI
Wednesday, March 4th in Gaylord, MI
Tuesday, March 10th in Lansing, MI
Thursday, March 19th in Grand Rapids, MI

18. Michigan Farmers Markets Food
Assistance Partnership
The Michigan Farmers Markets Food Assistance Partnership provides
networking opportunities, shares resources, and facilitates collaboration for individuals
and organizations working to increase low income consumers' access to healthy, locally-
produced foods through farmers markets. We strive to bring all five "food groups" to
our community FEAST.
Feed
Empower
Access
Share
Teach

19. Accepting SNAP Benefits at Michigan Farmers
Markets
250
Number of Markets
Number of Farmers
200
Market in Michigan
150
100 Number of Farmers
50 Market Accepting SNAP
Benefits
0
2006
1 2007
2 2008
3 2009
4
Year

20. 6
2 2 3 3

21. Green Street Fair, May 2008 and 2009

22. Select
Michigan
Farmers
Markets
July 23
August 20
September 17

23. Culinary Adventure

24. Monthly e-newsletters and listserv

25. MIFMA Committees
Marketing and Outreach Committee
This committee is charged with generating greater awareness of
MIFMA, developing MIFMA materials, recruiting new members,
and continuing community outreach.
Professional Development Committee
This committee is charged with developing, providing and evaluating
professional development opportunities for current and future MIFMA
members including organizing conferences, field days, workshops and other
types of training events.

26. Contact Information
172D Natural Resources
East Lansing, MI 48824
517.432.3381
Fax: 517.353.7961
dnmontri@msu.edu
www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu