The report also revealed that, on an average day, 916 households were shopping in each U. S. Farmers markets do more than sell vegetables, eggs and meat from grass-fed animals. They provide a central shopping and gathering place for communities and take buyers to nearby businesses, but most importantly, they support local and small farms.
Photos courtesy of Texas Farmers Market and Urban Harvest Bernhardts Farm, Texas Farmers Market Respondents, comprised of NYFC members under 40, said that farmers' markets accounted for the second highest proportion of their agricultural sales (18 percent), and that the highest proportion (19 percent) was due to direct sales to customers who prepay for agricultural products. Laura McDonald, executive director of Texas Farmers Market, with headquarters in Cedar Park and Austin, explains that farmers' markets are essential for Central Texans to have access to fresh produce and meat. McDonald states that the Texas Farmers Market has an average of about 3,000 shoppers in Cedar Park and 4,000 in Austin per market day. Producing at the Urban Harvest market The figure may seem especially surprising due to COVID, but as it turns out, the pandemic didn't hurt business at the Urban Harvest market or the Texas farmers market.
Houston-based restaurants close to the farmers' market also benefited. The Urban Harvest market retained many of the new buyers it gained during the pandemic. McDonald says the pandemic also boosted sales at both Texas Farmers Market locations. McDonald adds that one of the advantages of farmers' markets is their ability to be agile in times of crisis.
In addition to being agile, vendors at farmers' markets may have another advantage. According to the Farmers Market Coalition, a national defense group, more than 85 percent of market vendors travel less than 50 miles to reach their farmers market and more than half travel less than 10 miles. By comparison, fruits and vegetables sold in grocery stores can take seven to 10 days to reach their destination and travel up to 1,200 miles. Oatmeal & Company, Texas Farmers Market McDonald believes that demand for fresh produce will continue to grow and that supporting that growth means supporting Texas farmers and ranchers.
Buyers can help the environment by eating locally grown food as it reduces the total carbon footprint needed for food to reach the table. Below is a list of local farmers markets in North Texas that offer locally harvested fruits, vegetables, and sometimes meats raised on local farms. Texas agricultural market rules are subject to change by TFM leaders at any time during the market year. Regardless of the organizational structure, the approximately 150 Texas farmers' markets and the number of buyers they attract are beginning to increase for local communities.
This policy is intended to address only serious complaints that cannot be resolved informally between affected parties, including primarily complaints seeking the exclusion of a supplier from greater participation in TFM agricultural market events. Texas farmers markets are organized by F2M Texas, a 501 (c) 4 nonprofit corporation that focuses on housing and educating producers and consumers in Central Texas to develop a sustainable food system. The farmer has a better idea of how much to grow, gets his money up front and has customers for the season. Items that are not the farmer's products can be included when the items come directly from market vendors, but under no other circumstances.
Market coordinators can resolve the issue immediately or they can choose to collect information to deliver in writing to the Chief Operating Officer or Executive Director for further consideration.
