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REVITALIZING A COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO LOCALLY GROWN

Agricultural Economics & Community Development

Paul Pugliese
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Cartersville

Abstract

    The UGA Bartow County Extension Office is striving to address local food insecurity and improve health outcomes by increasing access to fresh, affordable, locally grown produce.  This process began with revitalizing the Cartersville Farmers Market, increasing community awareness, and supporting community wellness initiatives. 

Bartow County Extension led the health initiative for revitalization of the Farmers Market by forming a partnership with the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority, the previous stewards of the market. In 2019, this community partnership resulted in a cooperatively funded part-time farmer’s market coordinator under the direction of Bartow County Extension. The city of Cartersville, Bartow County government and the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau jointly fund the position.

More recently, the Cartersville Farmers Market has focused on reaching out to SNAP eligible participants in Bartow and surrounding counties by expanding SNAP/EBT access.  The decision to focus on SNAP benefit recipients would be mission critical because of the health benefits of increasing fruit and vegetable intake along with expanding the customer base for market vendors.

The market returns money to the local economy, provides access to locally-sourced agricultural products, benefits the environment by having food travel fewer miles to the consumer, and creates a sense of community around food.  In 2021, vendors increased sales by 36% from the previous year resulting in $576,810. There was a 42% increase in total number of customers to an approximate 50,391.  There was also a 140% increase in EBT sales from the previous year.  95% of customer surveys indicated that the farmers market was their primary reason for coming downtown on Saturday mornings with 70% stating that they would stay downtown to shop or have lunch after the market. 

The Cartersville Farmers Market continues to exceed our expectations.  This past year is the strongest we’ve had in both sales and customer demand.  Due to the success of the Cartersville Farmers Market, we have become a model for increasing food access through local farmers markets and connecting their benefits as a community health initiative.  Many farmers markets in surrounding communities are reaching out to us to learn about this unique partnership.

Authors: Angelica B. Davis, Paul J. Pugliese, Regina G. Shaw
  1. Angelica B. Davis Family and Consumer Sciences County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30120
  2. Paul J. Pugliese Bartow County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30120
  3. Regina G. Shaw Cartersville Farmers Market Coordinator, Bartow County Extension, Georgia, 30120