Presentation focused on fundraising for farmers markets in the era of COVID-19 which provides an overview of challenges, successful approaches, and lessons learned….
For our Summer 2020 COVID Impact survey, the FMC team set a goal of 300 responses across all states, a goal which was met and then exceeded with a final count of 461 market organizations reporting in 50 states. The goal of 300 responses was made based on estimating the number of market organizations operating in the US as 3,000-4,000, estimating because the number of actual organizations is unknown. We focused our surveys on…
To maintain these relationships, and to create the foundation for a more resilient restaurant industry, the LEE Initiative provided stipends to local farms in 20 regions across the U.S. to ensure continued food production for restaurants. These farmers were then given a list of selected independent restaurants that could purchase farm products on credit provided by the program. This allowed restaurants to lower ingredient costs while still acquiring local products, providing high-quality food to…
Many farmers markets have questions about free speech at markets, and in particular, what types of restrictions market rules can place on activities such as leafleting, political campaigning, or protesting. These activities can interfere with the operation of the market. Are farmers markets obligated to allow these types of activities as exercises of free speech under the First Amendment?…
Disruption to food systems, uncertainty, and food access inequities in Indian Country have been exacerbated by COVID-19. How can Tribes cultivate food sovereignty, build healthy and traditional foodways, and facilitate agricultural production? The IFAI team outlines policy-based pathways in this informational video and webinar series….
Students at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy launched the Friedman Food Systems COVID-19 Connector (“Connector”), a service learning program utilizing an online platform to match organizations seeking technical assistance in their responses to COVID-19 to Tufts students with corresponding skills and interests….
This Farmers Market Coalition survey is for market organizations that were operating farmers markets anytime during 2020. The purpose is to share the economic impact of COVID-19 on markets with FMC and with market stakeholders….
Public markets systems in North America are both agile and fragile. When the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread stay-at-home orders and business closures, many markets across the continent stayed open, continuing to safely provide fresh and healthy food to residents as supply chains were strained and serve as an economic lifeline to farmers and other producers. It was in this extreme context that the Market Cities Initiative at Project for Public Spaces undertook this research…
Understanding food supply chains can be daunting even in the best of times, and even more so during a pandemic. For this webinar, Andrew Greene, chef Adrian Lipscombe, and A-dae Romero-Briones will use their experience in support services and work with farmers and chefs to shed some light on how COVID-19 has impacted how our food gets from the field to the kitchen….
In light of the urgent and dire financial situation facing restaurants due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, this past week the James Beard Foundation conducted a survey to provide an immediate snapshot of the industry’s needs….
Despite challenges like shuttered farmers’ markets and restaurants, a shortage of meat processors, and the scramble to move sales online, food producers selling into local and regional markets have demonstrated real resilience during COVID-19. In this panel, we’ll explore how the pandemic has affected regional food systems in different areas around the country and what that means for the future….