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Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program A new report by the Northeast-Midwest Institute reviews the SFMNP's legislative history and the USDA's proposed rule. The SFMNP began as a pilot program in 2001 with $15 million in initial funds. In 2002, the program received only $10 million through the Agriculture Appropriations Act. The 2002 Farm Bill, however, authorized an additional $5 million in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to fund the program, bringing the total 2002 funding level to $15 million. The 2002 Farm Bill also authorized the SFMNP for 2002-2007, with mandatory funding of $15 million annually from CCC funds. Since then, funding has been at least $15 million, with carryover funds bringing 2003 and 2004 funding up to approximately $16 million. Since 2001, the SFMNP has operated as a discretionary competitive grant program. Under its current structure, no USDA funds can be used for administration and there is no matching funds requirement. The SFMNP Proposed Rule released by USDA on May 26, 2005 would make the SFMNP a permanent program and establish guidelines that would restructure the program so that it more closely resembles its predecessor, the WIC FMNP. Click here to read the report. North American Farmers' Direct
Marketing Association to Hold 20th Annual Convention in Boson NAFDMA is offering six workshops to choose from this year. Five are traditional full-day workshops. The Farmers' Market Coalition Meeting is an annual meeting that will further the goals and objectives of this NAFDMA Committee. Lunch and handouts are included with all workshops. The workshops during the conference are: 1. Find the Wings to Help Your Products Fly Off the Shelves 2. Transferring the Farm, Keeping the Harmony, Gaining the Opportunity
3. How to Gain and Maintain a Competitive Advantage 4. Boost the Value of Your School Tours through Curricula and Hands-On
Educational Experiences 5. How to Get More From Your Giftware Sales 6. Farmers' Market Coalition Meeting For more information please visit: New York State Offers Requests
for Proposals for 2004-2005 The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets invites proposals for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation of farmers’ markets in New York State. Proposals should conform to the format and content specified in this Request for Proposals (RFP). Projects for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation of farmers’ markets will be considered. The proposal must involve a physical improvement, such as portable or fixed signage, site preparation or improvement, construction, or related architectural or engineering designs. Market feasibility studies or analyses to determine the appropriateness of a farmers’ market or market site are not eligible for funding under this program. Proposals for funding in fiscal year 2004-2005 MUST BE RECEIVED by the Department’s Division of Fiscal Management by 4:30 p.m. EST on December 28, 2004. Applicants, not delivery services or other intermediaries, are responsible for the timely submission of proposals. Faxed and e-mailed proposals will not be accepted. Proposals delivered after the scheduled date and time will be returned to applicants and not considered for funding. Envelopes should be clearly marked: “RFP - Farmers’ Market Grant Program.” For more information and to apply, please use the: National Workshop on Farmers Markets in Des Moines, Iowa September 9-10, 2004 Drake University Agricultural Law Center hosted the second National Workshop for State and Local Food Policy Councils and the third annual Iowa Food Policy Conference, September 9 & 10, 2004. The National Workshop was a comprehensive educational event providing information and resources for producers of specialty crops, NGO's and public officials interested in exploring how food policy councils are a unique and productive forum for civic engagement and vehicle to deliver education and outreach information to mitigate risk in agriculture. The theme of this year's National Workshop was"The Role of Farmers' Markets in Americas Food System". Attendees will be able to participate in discussions and attend workshops pertaining to a variety of farmers' market topics with market managers, producer vendors, government officials, insurance industry specialists, and small farm business and marketing specialists who understand the needs and opportunities for producers and policy makers alike.
Additionally, the partners of the 2004 Drake/RMA State and Local
Food Policy Council Project provided reports about farmers' market
issues unique to their respective states. Food policy council coordinators
from Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington also shared the
impacts and outcomes of convening the many stakeholders in food
and agriculture that would not otherwise have the opportunity to
work together to research, develop and recommend public policy change.
Information about the workshop can be obtained at: |
