June 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 17

of the following partners:
* Farmers/rancher organizations
(36 percent)
* Other departments/agencies of
the local government (35 percent)
* Community development organizations (34 percent)
* Local extension offices (32 percent)

Farmers Markets Offerings
Farmers markets bring a wide variety of fresh and nutritious food
to their communities. Not surprisingly, virtually all farmers markets
feature fresh fruits and vegetables.
Other typical farmers markets offerings include baked goods (88
percent), organic foods (85 percent)
and artisanal products (77 percent).
Farmers markets also bring a variety of protein products to local
communities, including:
* Nuts and other non-meat protein
(73 percent)
* Meat (66 percent)
* Dairy products (61 percent)
Since farmers markets are often
the only source of fresh, healthy
food options in underserved communities, it is critical that they accept all payment options, including
those used by residents who receive
government assistance. Two-thirds
of farmers markets hosted by park
and recreation agencies accept
some form of supplemental nutrition benefit. Vendors at 56 percent
of park and recreation agency-led
farmers markets can accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits, while
a third of farmers markets accept
WIC (Women, Infants and Children). Less common are agencies
that are able to process benefits
from the Senior Farmers Market
Nutrition Program (21 percent).
Park and recreation agencies

face a few challenges that prevent
them from more widely accepting
supplemental nutrition benefits
from their residents. These include
vendors at the farmers markets being unable or unwilling to do so
(43 percent), a lack of equipment
needed to process these payments
at the point-of-sale (26 percent) and
a lack of knowledge about how to
accept the benefits (26 percent).

Beyond Healthy Food
While fresh produce, baked goods
and protein are primary attractions
at farmers markets, the selling of
food is by no means the only draw
that brings attendees to the markets. Farmers markets can also be
a place to entertain and educate
residents, while building a broader
sense of community.
For example, 62 percent of the
farmers markets park and recreation agencies host support arts and
cultural events, while 37 percent of
agencies provide intergenerational/
family activities at their markets.
Just over half of these farmers markets offer educational opportunities,
such as library services and health
screenings. Similarly, 38 percent
of agency-hosted farmers markets
teach residents about healthy eating through nutrition education and
cooking demos. Forty-three percent

of farmers markets assist in enrolling patrons in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
and/or WIC benefits programs.

Conclusions
Farmers markets are a staple in
many communities throughout the
United States. These markets afford
thousands of people with the ability
to access fresh, local produce, among
many other healthy foods. They support the local economy, bring the
community together and help families build and reinforce traditions
based on healthy living in the heart
of their cities, towns or counties.
I encourage you to read the
Farmers Markets: Parks and Recreation Connecting Communities to
Healthy Foods to gain a better understanding of parks and recreation's role in bringing farmers
markets to their communities. The
report concludes with a series of
tips, including government grant
opportunities, to help agencies that
are considering starting or expanding farmers markets. This is good
news, as there is no better partner
than parks and recreation to bring
the many benefits of farmers markets to your town.
Kevin Roth, Ph.D., is NRPA's Vice President of Professional
Development, Research and Technology (kroth@nrpa.org).

W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | J U N E 2 0 1 9 |

Parks & Recreation

June 2019 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2019 - Parks & Recreation