Our Work
Advancing Farmers Markets and Local Food Systems
OFMA strengthens Oregon’s farmers markets through education, advocacy, and community building. We support market organizers with resources, training, and funding opportunities while championing policies that help markets thrive. Our work ensures farmers markets remain vital spaces for local food access, economic growth, and resilient communities across the state.
What We Do: Strategies, Programs & Projects
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We offer webinars and training sessions on essential topics such as starting a market, effective budgeting, vendor relationships, and operating equitable and accessible farmers markets.
We also gather free resources from partner organizations across the country and share them with farmers markets in Oregon to help them overcome challenges, promote inclusion, and strengthen their markets.
These materials and workshops equip market organizers with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt, grow, and support their market communities.
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We showcase the value of farmers markets in fostering local economies and sustainable food systems.
Promoting markets ensures more access to fresh, local food and strengthens support for small farmers, which is vital for community health and local economic resilience.
Our online market map directory, which receives nearly 1,000 monthly visits, partnerships with local and regional organizations across the state, and our annual Farmers Market Week celebration are essential tools for raising awareness about the importance of farmers markets.
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We use virtual learning spaces to foster collaboration and resource sharing among market organizers.
Organizing and operating a farmers market is a unique and complex job that requires juggling multiple roles, from coordinating vendors and ensuring legal business compliance to cultivating community connections and creating vibrant, welcoming spaces for shoppers.
OFMA membership offers market staff opportunities to share best practices and collective support through mutual learning and problem-solving with markets operators statewide.
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We serve as a hub of information about Oregon farmers markets by conducting regular census surveys to count the number of markets, vendors, and shoppers.
We also ask questions to gain understanding of what it’s like to operate a farmers market, such as typical stall fees, market budgets, employment data, food justice work, challenges and celebrations.
This data helps communicate the value of markets to policymakers, media, funders and shoppers to gain greater support and recognition for farmers markets.
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Funding farmers markets is crucial for sustaining local food systems, fostering community resilience, and ensuring that fresh, locally grown produce remains accessible despite climate-related disruptions.
OFMA’s grant program supports climate resilience at farmers markets by providing vital resources to help markets adapt to environmental challenges.
We also partner with Farmers Market Fund to ensure to build market capacity to administer nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks and Oregon Farm Direct Dollars.
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OFMA connects with organizations that share our concern for farmers, food security and the well-being and equity of Oregon’s food system.
OFMA staff, board members and member markets sit on statewide committees, coalitions and leadership teams representing the needs of farmers markets to help inform and advocate for systemic strengthening of our food system.
We partner with Friends of Family Farmers, Oregon Community Food System Network and Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network to advance legislation and policy that supports local agriculture and healthy communities.