Farmers Market Week

Farmers Market Week

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
National Farmers Markets Week is underway.

This year, The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), a national group with the goal of strengthening farmers markets, says it is highlight the role that farmers markets play in fostering entrepreneurship.

"Farmers markets are a unique setting where individuals who have dreams about starting their own business, whether it's farming or a related food business, are able to enter the market place with relatively low barriers to entry compared to more traditional routes to starting a business."

That's Farmers Market Coalition's Executive Director, Ben Feldman. He tells Colorado Ag Today that farmers markets are great opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly to those who may lack the capital or connections necessary to start a more traditional business.

Farmers market success stories include farms and businesses run by young people, immigrants, and the previously incarcerated. You likely heard of Dave's Killer Bread but you may not know Dave Dahl brought his now famous bread to public for the first time at a farmers market in Milwaukie Oregon.

"Farmers markets provide business owners and entrepreneurs an opportunity to receive direct feedback about the product they're creating. One option is that they can sample their product and see how people react to it. The most telling thing is whether or not the people are interested in buying the thing out there at the market."

National Farmers Market Week was started by former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2015. Special events and activities are underway all week . For locations near you search farmers markets and your town.

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