Farmers' markets and the local community: Bridging the formal and informal economy

Abstract

Farmers' markets are important but inadequately studied contributors to local economies. They allow individual entrepreneurs and their families to contribute to the economic life of local communities by providing goods and services that are not readily available through formal, mass markets, and they bring producers and consumers together to solidify bonds of local identity and solidarity. Using data collected from 115 farmers' market vendors in three regions of New York in 1993, we examined the characteristics and operations of three categories of vendors: full-time growers, part-time growers, and non-grower artisans and craftspeople. Drawing on theories of mass production and mass markets, we show how farmers'markets represent intermediate social structures that bridge the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

Examining Farmers Markets' Usage of Social Media: An Investigation of a Farmers Market Facebook Page

“…Vendors have both economic and social reasons for participating in farmers markets (Hinrichs et al, 2004;Lyson, Gillespie, & Hilchey, 1995). Griffin and Frongillo (2003) indicated that farmers markets act as a marketing channel for vendors as well as a means to increase profit margin.…”

Evaluating the South Memphis Farmers Market as a Strategy To Improve Access to Healthy Foods: Lessons from 2011

“…Not only are farmers' markets an urban food intervention, but they also play an important role in rebuilding local food systems (Gillespie, Hilchey, Hinrichs, & Feenstra, 2007;Lyson, Gillespie Jr., & Hilchey, 1995), urban revitalization (Bubinas, 2011;Faulk, 2006;Reardon, 1998), and community building (Payet, Gilles, & Howat, 2005;Szmigin, Maddock, & Carrigan, 2003). Despite the generally positive impact of farmers' markets, some research has shown that markets in low-income neighborhoods face economic challenges -including difficulty attracting shoppers and farmers -that constrain food access or food justice aims (Alkon, 2008;Guthman, Morris, & Allen, 2006;Markowitz, 2010;Winne, 2008).…”

Roles of Community Towards Urban Farming Activities

“…The benefits and potential of urban farming towards the community can be categorised into four, which are environmental stewardship (Lydecker & Drechsel, 2010;HB Lanarc-Golder, 2013), economic reliance (Giedych, 2015;Lyson, Gillespie & Hilchey, 1995), social improvement (Scott, 2015;Sharp, Imerman & Peters, 2002;Feenstra, 1997) as well as health and nutrition (Kumar, 2015). Cabannes (2006) reported that urban farming is also an investment strategy in developed countries to bring urban people back to nature, opening eyes and minds to the global issues, and to educate children from the natural cycle of life through landscape environment.…”