Midwest Association of Farmers Markets

Our Programs and Impact Areas:
U CITY FARMERS MARKET: We organize and operate the U City Farmers Market on Delmar Bld. We provide a vital place of commerce for family farms and local small businesses. At the same time the market has become a vital and treasured community hub.

MAT-PRO: Our Market Assistant Training Program is an introductory experiential training program for high school students. Through a well designed curriculum and actual work at the farmers market, students learn about and become skilled in all aspects of farmers market work. From market operations, marketing & signage, customer service, food safety to actually staffing a market food booth, MAT-Pro offers an experiential learning opportunity that prepares students for future employment or entrepreneurial endeavors. Students even have opportunities to work for farmers, vendors and at other markets.

DIABETES HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM: Health Protection Education Services is a local non-profit foundation head- quartered in University City that provides free health and diabetes screenings and nutrition classes at the U City Library. We've partnered with HPES to create a program that gives clients $10 gift vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the U City Farmers Market. In 2018, $4000 extra was spent of farm produce from local farmers. The program is free.

SNAP-DUBF: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Double-Up Food Bucks (DUFB) are two programs we implemented in mid 2017. Both of these provide incentives for lower income families to purchase food and farm- fresh products at farmers markets. The Impacts Are Real! Farmers' markets are making real strides in increasing fresh food access for low income SNAP participants. $19.4 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed at farmers markets across the US in 2015, a fourfold increase since 2009.

"Chefs Cook Real Challenge" and the "Chef at the Farmers Market" Series: The first event is an "Iron Chef" style cook-off where local chefs from the greater St. Louis Region compete at the markets. The create dishes from farm foods on-site. Patrons sample and vote for their favorites. We also host monthly Chef Demonstrations. The purpose of these is to celebrate and bring awareness to the relationship between our regional farms; fresh foods and local products; and talented chefs.

STL Farmers Market Alliance: A collaboration between farmers markets in St Louis County. The goal is to stabilize and support existing markets through marketing, events and programs that create more opportunities for business success for our farmers and other vendors.

Young Friends of STL Farmers Markets: Getting the next generations involved in farmers markets in our region. It's crucial to create on-going participation and support for markets with younger market-goers. The group will host meetings, fun activities and events, and fund-raising for the future of STL Farmers Markets...