On Farmers Markets as Wicked Opportunities

PurposeThe starting premise of the case study is to describe the ongoing interventions and experiences within the observed public marketplaces' organization. The objective of the research is to examine specified aspects of social and economic perspectives and the role of marketplaces in changing the local surroundings and economy of the Serbian capital and its largest city – Belgrade.Design/methodology/approachMultiple methods of analysis, such as archival investigation, participants' observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted. To inspect the research questions, the case implemented qualitative research that sampled 21 employees in the examined public company which manages all the analyzed urban marketplaces.FindingsThis case study will describe the city-sponsored organization, the Public Utility Company (PUC), that sustains marketplaces and the implications of that city sponsorship. Additionally, the outcomes describe the social and economic impact of marketplaces in placemaking around the region.Practical implicationsThe most imperative implications of the manuscript are twofold: (1) the research results have shown that the potential of the city marketplaces can be increased through the support of the PUC and the city government; (2) as one of the first empirical projects about the social organization of the marketplaces in this part of Europe, the findings provide an overview of the contemporary market processes, and market outcomes. This study can affect other future research to explore similar aspects of the markets' organization.Social implicationsThis research can encourage comparable future examinations to explore other components of the market, varying in the regional diversities on one hand, and the manifold prospects for the community development with fewer benefits, on the other.Originality/valueThe study analyzes all the local markets in the selected urban area. This is the first empirical research on the social perspective and the role of marketplaces in the process of changing the modern society and economy in Belgrade. Moreover, it may contribute to future analysis in the field of social perspective and economic directions in future strategies of city planning.

Section: Conclusion and Future Guidelinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons learned from historical development and modern practice of marketplaces – focus on the Serbian capital city

Petrović

Ledesma

Štetić

et al. 2022

“…, 2021). Further, the embedded nature of markets in their communities builds social capital absent from global industrial supply chains, giving markets the capacity to serve the multiple needs of their communities, including increased food access through financial assistance programs, nutritional and ecological education and a community space to build social cohesion (Morales, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The direct-toconsumer model shortens supply chains, providing financial stability to local producers while reducing points of vulnerability to shocks through increased business adaptability (Thilmany et al, 2021). Further, the embedded nature of markets in their communities builds social capital absent from global industrial supply chains, giving markets the capacity to serve the multiple needs of their communities, including increased food access through financial assistance programs, nutritional and ecological education and a community space to build social cohesion (Morales, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manager and vendor perceptions of farmers’ markets’ impacts on communities: evidence from Michigan

Warsaw

Wentworth

Lewis

et al. 2022

PurposeThe purposes of this paper are to: (1) characterize farmers’ market manager and vendor perceptions of the economic, social and environmental impact markets have on their local communities; and (2) how those impacts are tracked and communicated to market actors and the local community.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-nine semistructured interviews were conducted with market managers and vendors across four farmers’ markets within Michigan. The interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsManagers and vendors report economic and social and environmental benefits associated with the presence of a farmers' market, consistent with the existing literature. Metrics are tracked to estimate market impact, particularly economic and social benefits. Market managers reported uncertainty about how best to use data internally, and there are gaps in communicating market impacts with vendors. Most data are used for external reporting, to statewide organizations or for grant evaluation. Respondents reported data fatigue and unwillingness among vendors to share personal business information due to concerns about privacy relative to the perceived benefits of sharing data.Practical implicationsAdditional resources are needed for markets, specifically market managers, to better utilize the data they collect for internal versus external purposes.Originality/valueMetric collection and reporting are a nascent development among markets. Understanding how market actors are utilizing these tools will provide guidance to improve future efforts at impact measurement.

“…Socially, research finds that customers and vendors have meaningful interactions at farmers’ markets (Alkon and McCullen, 2010; Aucoin and Fry, 2015; Carson et al. , 2016; Morales, 2021). Farmers’ markets can even be a place where people celebrate their culture (Alkon, 2007; Meyers, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…And, they are a place where people learn new things or access resources, especially when it comes to public health initiatives (Dollahite et al. , 2005; Morales, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building a bridge between civic agriculture and civic engagement: farmers’ markets as communication infrastructure

Witzling

Shaw

2022

PurposeThis work aimed to show how farmers’ markets can act as communication infrastructure, and by doing so, facilitate civic engagement. We used communication infrastructure theory (CIT) as a guide.Design/methodology/approachWe integrated findings from two surveys that took place in the US state of Wisconsin. In a survey of Wisconsin farmers’ market leaders, we considered what features farmers’ markets have that may help them act as communication infrastructure. Using data from a survey of Wisconsin residents, we ran a regression model to demonstrate the relationship between farmers’ market attendance and micro-level storytelling about local food.FindingsWe found that farmers’ markets can act as meso-level storytellers and provide a communication action context supportive of civic engagement. Through the farmers’ market leader survey, we found that over half of the markets noted existing partnerships with media outlets. Furthermore, farmers’ markets may connect residents to important organizations in the community. Many farmers’ markets had features to make them more physically and financially accessible, such as accepting food assistance benefits. With the Wisconsin resident survey, we found that farmers’ market attendance predicted storytelling about local food better than overall local food purchasing, further suggesting that markets can facilitate social interactions.Originality/valueWe document an important benefit that farmers’ markets can offer communities: they have the potential to act as communication infrastructure. As stronger communication infrastructure can facilitate civic engagement, this work provides a mechanism by which to connect civic agriculture activities and increased levels of civic engagement.