WORKPLACE FOOD AND ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT
ENACT STRATEGY: Establish
Farmers' Markets
Enhance staff and community access to fresh produce by establishing accessible farmers' markets or farm stand programs
Farmers’ markets are a popular method for increasing access to healthy fresh food and provide a market for local farmers. Worksites can demonstrate leadership in health promotion by hosting farmers’ markets or farm stands on-site. These outlets serve as a valuable source of regionally grown fresh produce and other healthy foods. Locating at the worksite makes it easier for employees to purchase healthy foods for their families, as they can conveniently buy high-quality products on a break or during their lunch hour. These sites also help increase access to fresh produce for community residents living nearby. As an alternative to farmers’ markets, worksites can also act as a delivery site for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, a weekly delivery of produce and other farm fresh food products. Along with the immediate benefits for customers, farmers’ markets, farm stands and CSAs play a vital role in supporting small- to medium-sized growers and ranchers’ access to consumers wishing to buy their products.
- Farmers’ Market
- Farm Stands
Fit City Challenge: Begin a Company Famers' Market
This resource from Fit City Challenge answers some frequently asked questions about getting a worksite farmers’ market off the ground.
Farmers' Markets and CSAs on Hospital Grounds
This fact sheet produced by Health Care Without Harm shares the benefits of hospital farmers’ markets, the challenges, and tips for getting started. This resource can also benefit other worksites wishing to start a farmers’ market.
Farmers' Markets: Improving Health, Improving Community
The C.S. Mott Group at Michigan State University answers Frequently Asked Questions about the benefits of Farmers’ Markets and how to get started.
Community Supported Agriculture: Improving Health Across Communities
The C.S. Mott Group at Michigan State University answers Frequently Asked Questions about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), including the benefits of CSAs.
This site describes the “Garden Market” demonstration project at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the lessons learned from the experience.
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
NIH’s on-site farmers’ market with brings fresh, locally grown produce to employees in a convenient and timely way.
Fresh Produce for State Employees in Austin
This example highlights a local farmer partnering with state employees to bring fresh produce to the workplace. More information on this example can be found under their Farm-to-work FAQ.
Healthier Worksite Initiative: Garden Market Toolkit
This toolkit provides information on how to establish a garden market in a federal agency or other organization. It is based on a Healthier Worksite Initiative (HWI) demonstration project at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How to Establish a Farmers' Market on Federal Property
This brochure provides steps to follow in establishing farmers’ markets on federal properties, where public employees have primary responsibility for initial development. It describe how these markets can operate in collaboration with the efforts of existing markets and/or local market-sponsoring organizations.
Farmers' Markets: Rules, Regulations and Opportunities
This paper by the National Agricultural Law Center examines the structure and operation of farmers’ markets with special attention to the legal and regulatory issues that shape their operation.
Food Security Learning Center
World Hunger Year’s Food Security Learning Center offers a long list of resources regarding farmers' markets, including policy initiatives, successful program profiles, advocacy tools, and further resources.
