Meaningful relationships between farmers markets and faith communities can connect farmers to new customers and to the community in general, while increasing consumers’ access to fresh healthy food and creating a closer connection to where that food comes from. RAFI’s Come to the Table program has developed a guide that offers advice, resources, and tools for market managers who want to build such relationships.
This guide is for farmers market managers, board members, and volunteers interested in fostering relationships between their market and local faith communities. It begins with a look at what makes partnerships successful and how to begin building partnerships, followed by steps for planning and implementing a program. The third section specifically addresses SNAP programs at farmers markets, and the fourth section includes case studies of three different faith/farmers market partnerships. The appendix includes some additional resources and tools.
We intend that this guide will get a conversation started. It is a work in progress that will adapt over time. We hope that you will share your experiences with us and help us improve this guide as you undertake your own partnerships with people of faith in your community.
Please get in touch with RAFI’s Come to Table program at [email protected] with any feedback you would like to share!
Interested in learning more about food access? Join us for our upcoming Come to the Table Food, Faith, and Justice Gathering, April 19-20, in Pittsboro. This particular gathering will dive into issues of racial equity in our food system and how to address them at the local level. Click here for details.
Continue to check our website for more events and updates from RAFI.
Download: FARMERS MARKET AND FAITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS [PDF]
