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Maine Farmers' Market Snapshot Week


We're counting down to Snapshot Week! All markets that signed up should now have their toolkits, which include checklists, tip sheets, prizes, surveys, tattoos, media release signature kit, and a return address envelope to return the surveys to MFFM. Now is the time to start using the project hashtag, #MESnapshotweek. 

We've added some new tools to the website, including: If your market wants to participate, but didn't sign up, it's not too late! Feel free to use any of our online materials, of course. It's also not too late to request some of the "I ❤ Farmers Markets" tattoos. (Send your request and mailing address to Snapshot@mffm.org.) Questions? Feel free to email us (info@mffm.org) or give us a call at 207-487-7114.
 

Key Snapshot Week Resources:
Thanks to a generous donation from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, markets participating in Snapshot Week will each have a pair of Common Ground Country Fair tickets to give away! We'll be mailing the tickets out this week to each market that signed up to participate. The tickets are perfect for a raffle or other prize during #MESnapshotweek!
 
Don't miss us on MPBN's Maine Calling this Friday afternoon (August 5th) at 1:00! Panelists in the studio will include MFFM's Leigh Hallett, plus Mark Guzzi of Peacemeal Farm and Zizi Vlaun of the Center for an Ecology Based Economy (local partner of the Norway Farmers' Market). Call in commentators will be Kim Roos of Hatchknoll Farm and Gardenside Dairy, and Beth Schiller of Dandelion Spring Farm. This promises to be a lively conversation about Maine's farmers' markets, just in time to usher in National Farmers' Market Week, August 7-13th.

Public Transportation Pilot
at Sanford Farmers' Market

In previous years, the Sanford Farmers’ Market had two locations – downtown Springvale on Wednesdays and Sanford’s Central Park on Saturdays – but chose to move both market days to Central Park this season. There were many pros to this location switch – consistency and quality of location, centrality and visibility. However, market manager and SNAP program point person, Jack McAdam noticed a drop in SNAP sales and had to wonder if the location change was part of the cause. He reached out to MFFM to brainstorm solutions.

Over the past month, a new partnership has formed between the market, MFFM, and the York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC). Starting on August 10th, customers who participate in the Maine Harvest Bucks SNAP bonus program at the market will be offered free round-trip bus passes on the local public bus system, which is operated by YCCAC. There are multiple routes that stop nearby the market so customers should visit this schedule/route page to find the best option for them. Visit the market information booth hosted by McDougal Orchards on Wednesdays to learn more about the new bus pass program.

The goal of this pilot project is to minimize the barrier of transportation to and from the market so that everyone who could benefit from the Maine Harvest Bucks program has the opportunity to do so and everyone who wishes can enjoy their local farmers’ market. Markets around the country have initiated similar partnerships with public transportation systems. At the end of this 3-month pilot, we will compare the results with other similar programs and consider how to expand transportation-market connections in Sanford and elsewhere around the state.

Click here for a full press release about this new project. 

Why is Data Important?

A key component of Snapshot Week are surveys of shoppers and market members. This fall, we will be compiling all the data, plus stories and photos from markets all over the state, into a Maine Farmers' Market Annual Report. The annual report will be a promotional tool for markets, and will also help inform local leaders and policy makers about the variety and impact of Maine's network of farmers' markets! We'll be doing other data collection and analysis projects in various specific markets as well. Below is a sample of the kind of graphic we plan to create. (The example is from a market in Tacoma Park, MD.) 
Visit the Portland Farmers' Market at  Monument Square tomorrow (8/3) for your free $10 vouchers to buy ANYTHING at Market!!! Chipotle Mexican Grill loves to support local farmers and farmers' markets!!
www.mainefarmersmarkets.org

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