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Save the date! This year the convention will take place at the Kennebec Community College Alfond Campus in Hinckley (just north of Waterville). The new location will enable us to offer additional sessions, with more than a dozen to choose from throughout the day. As usual, we'll have sessions geared toward market members (both beginning and experienced) as well as market managers. Nonprofits that work with markets are also welcome to attend. Registration will open in October. |
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Snapshot Week Surveys
So far we have entered the data from more than 800 customer surveys collected during Snapshot Week. With about half the surveys remaining to be entered, some interesting results are already emerging. Perhaps not surprisingly, the overwhelming response to the question asking what products most attracts shoppers to farmers' markets was "produce". (Cheese, bread, meat, and eggs were mentioned often as well, but produce is the clear leader.) Almost 50% of the shoppers who completed the surveys visit farmers' markets fewer than 10 times per year, but more than 20% visit markets weekly. Most spend around $20 per visit at the market, and 80% also report shopping at businesses near their farmers' market on market day. These are preliminary numbers (we'll be working with researchers at the University of Wisconsin on the data analysis once all the surveys have been entered), but show interesting trends. Stay tuned for more detailed results later this fall!
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Snapshot Week Winning Photos
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What a trove of photos poured in during Snapshot Week! It was especially hard to choose from all the charming photos of children at markets, but on the top left is a favorite taken at the Princeton Farmers' Market by Sharon Norman. On the top right is Annie, a canine supporter of the Calais Farmers' Market, in our favorite pet photo, submitted by Terry Moffett. The colorful basket of fresh food is by @thehungrytigernyc at the Brooksville Farmers' Market, and was our favorite market haul photo. On the bottom right is the most creative market photo (by Theresa Gaffney), showing Hannah from the Rockland Farmers' Market, exhibiting a brilliant interface between the real and the temporary.
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Tax Deductions for Donated Food:
Changes to the Rules
Many farmers donate food, whether it's to a local pantry, community project, or gleaning effort. The question of whether the donation can be figured into tax deductions is a complicated one. Fortunately, the Natural Resources Defense Council has a new one-page guide that summarizes the issues. Find it here.
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Maine Harvest Bucks update
With anywhere from 0 to 9 weeks remaining for outdoor markets, we are happy to report that over $40,000 of Maine Harvest Bucks have been used by SNAP customers to buy fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets this season. An additional $10,000 of Maine Harvest Bucks have been distributed but are yet to be redeemed. If you are involved with a Maine Harvest Bucks market, remind SNAP customers to bring those bucks back to market to use them while the produce is plentiful and before the season expires. Click here for some easy-to-use Facebook graphics to keep spreading the word about Maine Harvest Bucks. |
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SNAP-Ed Summit
In early September, Emilie presented at the annual SNAP-Ed Summit about SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks at farmers’ markets.The Summit was a perfect opportunity to connect with SNAP Educators from throughout the state, share details about our work, and hear more about the partnerships that many educators have built - or aim to build - with their local farmers’ markets. SNAP-Ed has always been a terrific partner in our work with the Maine Local Foods Access Network to expand local foods access to more Maine people. If you are, or wish to be, a SNAP-friendly market, and haven’t yet connected with your local SNAP-Ed office, let us know and we will put you in touch. Partnerships such as those to be had with SNAP Educators are a key component to a successful farmers’ market SNAP program.
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Reduced Cost Credit/Debit/EBT Equipment
Reduced cost equipment for processing credit, debit, and EBT/SNAP charges are still available through MFFM's program with Dharma Merchant Services. Any business can take advantage of the reduced rates we negotiated with Dharma (just mention MFFM), but farmers, farmers' markets, and co-ops are eligible for reduced cost equipment, with no up-front charges. We have funding for just a few more devices, so if your farm or market need to replace equipment, or are planning to start accepting electronic payments soon, now is the time to look into this program. Email snap@mffm.org for more information.
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Markets Helping Pantries
The Downtown Waterville, Gardiner, Augusta, and Lewiston farmers' markets all welcomed Camden National Bank teams this summer. The bankers were there as part of a summer-long effort to raise awareness and resources for area pantries. Camden National donated $2000 to the pantries, and bank staffers seemed to enjoy their time at the markets raising awareness of food insecurity in the region.
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Refrigerated Warehouse Opens in Pittsfield
A new refrigerated warehouse has opened less than a mile from our offices in Pittsfield. Owned by Blue Sky Produce, the facility is centrally located and very near I-95. According to the press release, the facility "is available to local farmers and food organizations for storage and cross-docking." Contact Lynn Thurston for more information ( hope@tdstelme.net 207-684-2172). |
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Maine Farms for the Future Program
Business Plan Development (2016-2018) with potential Phase 2 - Investment Support in 2018
The State of Maine, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, is required to offer grants for business plan development (Phase 1) and investment support (Phase 2) as authorized in the Maine Farms for the Future Program (Title7, MRS Chapter 10-B).
The State of Maine is seeking proposals from eligible farms seeking to compete for the Maine Farms for the Future – Phase 1 – Business Plan Development grant.
A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the RFP Coordinator: Lester Dancer. The RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: Lester.Dancer@maine.gov or by mailing: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry – Attn: FFF Round 16 RFP, 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0028.
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