Farmers' markets in the United States have experienced a dramatic increase since the 1970's. In the past three decades the number of farmers' markets has increased from 340 in 1970 to 3,617 by 2006. This interest in farmers' markets has not been felt everywhere, though. The purpose of this study was to investigate the supply and demand sides of farmers' markets, farmers and customers, in order to increase both segments at farmers' markets in Bryan and College Station, Texas. Interviews were conducted with farmers within a 100-mile radius of the two towns, to determine characteristics of potential farmers' market vendors and factors influencing market outlet choice. Bryan and College Station residents were surveyed at different market outlets to establish their knowledge of and interest in farmers' markets. The two primary themes found for farmers' reasons for growing were family and enjoyment, with enjoyment an especially important theme among older growers. Factors influencing market outlet choice were farmer status (part-time or full-time) and volume grown, with time, volume and risk being the primary considerations for most of the younger farmers interviewed. Almost 90% of respondents said they had been to one of the local farmers' markets, but this could be attributed to many of the respondents' misperception of a farmers' market. Farmers' markets will need to increase residents' understandings of what a farmers' market is. The best communication channel to reach residents appears to be the newspaper as 35% of respondents said that is where they get their local news. The primary reason for not attending farmers' markets was inconvenient times. Those that chose inconvenient times as a reason for not attending preferred Saturday afternoons.

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Background: Context and purpose of the study. To examine (1) associations between county-level zoning to support farmers' market placement and county-level farmers' market availability, rural/urban designation, percent African American residents, and percent of residents living below poverty and (2) individual-level associations between zoning to support farmers' markets; fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI) among a random sample of residents of six North Carolina (NC) counties. Methods: Zoning ordinances were scored to indicate supportiveness for healthy food outlets. Number of farmers' markets (per capita) was obtained from the NC-Community Transformation Grant Project Fruit and Vegetable Outlet Inventory (2013). County-level census data on rural/urban status, percent African American, and percent poverty were obtained. For data on farmers' market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption, and BMI, trained interviewers conducted a random digit dial telephone survey of residents of six NC counties (3 urban and 3 rural). Pearson correlation coefficients and multilevel linear regression models were used to examine county-level and individual-level associations between zoning supportiveness, farmers' market availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Results: At the county-level, healthier food zoning was greater in more urban areas and areas with less poverty. At the individual-level, self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with healthier food zoning. Conclusions: Disparities in zoning to promote healthy eating should be further examined, and future studies should assess whether amending zoning ordinances will lead to greater availability of healthy foods and changes in dietary behavior and health outcomes.

Farmers’ markets are increasingly promoted as mechanisms for improving access to healthful foods for low-income households, as they are relatively inexpensive to establish and they can provide affordable food for low-income households by offering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer (SNAP/EBT). SNAP/EBT at markets also expands revenue opportunities for participating farmers. Market mangers provide a critical role in overseeing SNAP/EBT at markets and influencing business opportunities for farmers. Using a mixed-method approach, this study aimed to evaluate how managers’ motivations influence SNAP/EBT availability and participation at markets and business opportunities for small- and moderate- sized farms. To develop a survey measuring managers’ attitudes and behaviors and farmers’ market outcomes, focus groups were conducted with farmers’ market managers (n=8) in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia, and interviews were conducted with farmers in the same region (n=8). Eight themes were identified in the manager focus groups, and 5 were identified in the farmer interviews. Qualitative data yielded insight on how managers influence market outcomes. A survey incorporating qualitative findings was distributed to 271 NC farmers’ market managers in May 2014. Multiple regression models were used to examine the influence of mangers’ motivations to improve access to healthful food and support business opportunities on SNAP/EBT availability and participation and indicators of market vitality. Sixty managers completed the survey. There was no significant association between food access motivation and SNAP/EBT participation. A significant, positive association was found between business motivation and customer count, total vendor count, and average weekly vendor count. More research is needed to understand how managers’ motivations interplay with environmental and organizational characteristics to influence food access for low-income households and business opportunities for farmers. Findings from this study offer a starting point for developing interventions that maximize managers’ impact on these outcomes.

"Farmers Market", is selling seasonal local fresh food. These foods grow up without any pesticides, fertilizer, and unhealthy natural GM-free ingredients. Farmers work hard to plant seasonal vegetables and fruits. Consumers can buy the "production and consumption planted locally" pesticide-free and healthy seasonal fruits and vegetables. This study is according to the consumer knowledge, attitude and behavior of farmers' markets of organic products¡¦ relation and differences and to discuss whether the relationship between population statistical variance and consumer knowledge, attitude and behavior have differences or not. In this study, we use farmers' markets of Kaohsiung area for the researching object. The researching method is convenience sampling survey of questionnaire, and total valid samples are 372. Through descriptive statistics, single factor analysis of variance, multiple linear regression analysis and other statistical methods for data processing and analysis. And results of distribution of demographic variables are as follow: that the, (1) women are the mainly consumption group; (2) education level is university most; (3) consumers¡¦ age between 21-40 years old pay more attention to organic agricultural products and also tend to buy organic products; (4)the occupation of most respondents are in service industry; (5) family income per month from 20001 to 40000 is the most; (6) most of respondents are unmarried; (7) most of respondents¡¦ religion are Buddhism and Taoism; (8) to meat or fish-based diet The proportion of most. In this study, test hypotheses H1 consumer knowledge on consumer attitude has a significant effect. When the consumer knowledge is higher, the consumer attitude is also higher, but also vice versa. Test hypotheses H2 consumer attitudes on consumer behavior have a significant effect. When attitude and behavior are more particular and specific, the two inter-related degrees will be more remarkable. Test hypotheses H3 consumer knowledge and consumer behavior have a significant effect. When the consumer knowledge and consumer behavior have casual relationship, knowledge will cause the behavior. It means knowledge forming will affect the behavior.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, previously ‘food stamps’), is the nation’s largest federal entitlement nutritional assistance program which assists individuals and households living below the federal poverty level in order to reduce the amount of money they spend on food. With the conversion of food stamps coupons to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), vendors at farmers markets are unable to accept SNAP benefits due to lack of necessary technology adoption. The number of farmers markets has increased 39 percent since 2010 yet only 21 percent of the nation’s farmers markets are equipped to accept EBT (USDA AMS, 2015a). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to apply the theory of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) to explain EBT technology adoption at mid-west farmers markets (Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin). This study intended to identify the socio-demographic characteristics and levels of communication of farmers market managers, market compatibilities, and perceived EBT attributes that might influence EBT adoption at farmers markets. A survey was administered electronically to market managers of three mid-west states to collect the necessary information to answer the research objectives. A total of 181 managers completed the survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify effects of several variables on EBT adoption. Analysis of Variance and Chi-square test were utilized to compare the states and adopter groups. Results of logistic regression showed significant effects of specific variables on EBT adoption. Market managers’ level of communication (Farmers Market Association membership and having partnerships with other organizations), market characteristics (availability of public transports to the market and number of SNAP recipients living in the area), and market managers’ perceptions of EBT attributes (perceived usefulness, ability to try-out, and acceptability) were statistically significant predictors of EBT adoption. For market managers and organizers who are seeking resources and considering EBT adoption assessment of compatibility and level of communication prior to adoption should be considered. In conclusion, the theory of DOI was able to explain effects of market characteristics, market managers’ level of communication, and perceived attributes of EBT on its adoption among the respondents of mid-west farmers markets. Findings of the study can be useful for policymakers in navigating through financial, human, organizational, and political constraints to develop a reachable goal in providing EBT to farmers markets across the nation. Improving the rate of EBT adoption will ultimately have a positive impact on the health of low-income population and sustainability of local agriculture.

Trending ahead to the year 2050, concerns continue to rise regarding feeding a world population of nearly 10 billion people (Smith, Tarawali, Grace, & Sones, 2013). The United States provides many federal programs to feed the hungry (Talk Poverty, 2018). Despite these provisions, barriers exist and prevent access to healthy foods (Innis, 2014). Residents in the state of Mississippi are posed with the challenge of accessing nutrient rich foods (Gunderson et al., 2018). In an effort to combat hunger in Mississippi, Mississippi WIC and MDAC have partnered to bridge farmers with low-income residents with the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (“Mississippi Farmers' Market Nutrition,” 2018). Barriers to access – like transportation, location, and market hours – may have an impact on redemtption rates (Conrey, Frongillo, Dollahite, & Griffin, 2003). This descriptive, correlational study used five independent variables to see if these had an impact on FMNP voucher redemption rates.

Purpose Ethical elaboration is an aspect of product involvement and this research examines the relationship between involvement and ethical consumption providing a more holistic understanding of ethical decision-­making. This paper identifies antecedents of both low and high involvement ethical product decision-­making at farmers’ markets, and with sustainable and energy efficient features in the housing market, respectively. Design/methodology/approach These aims are achieved through semi-­structured and in-­depth interviews with consumers and sellers of ethical products across low and high involvement domains. Findings The empirical investigation reveals new insights into the constructs considered when purchasing high involvement ethical products. Barriers are discussed and findings examine the relationships between trust, information, ethical motivation and signalling. Research implications A research process framework for the study of ethical decision-­making is presented, demonstrating that constructs are approached differently between involvement levels. A conceptual model providing steps for transferring knowledge gained from the research to practice is also developed. Practical implications This research aids in the dispersion of information among stakeholders so that sustainability and energy efficiency can be part of the standard real estate conversation. Social implications Sustainability and energy efficiency (SEE) housing is seen as a niche market and this research will help alter the behaviour of the stakeholders in order to incentivise consumers to change their purchase patterns to include SEE features. Originality/value Most of the work on ethical consumption deals with low-­involvement products. This study addresses high-­involvement ethical consumption within the housing market through a qualitative approach.

The growing popularity of farmers' markets coupled with a high percentage of produce-related foodborne outbreaks highlights the need for an emphasis on food safety within these markets to protect farmers, patrons and local economies. The number of farmers' markets registered in the United States has almost tripled in the last 15 years. Fresh produce constitutes the majority of food sold at farmers'markets. Between 1998 and 2008, raw produce accounted for almost half of the 4,589 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to a specific commodity. This research was conducted to identify practices at farmers' markets which may contribute to an increased risk of contamination, assess the microbial quality of produce sold at farmers' markets, as well as to develop a food safety management plan template for market managers to utilize to build their own food safety plan. Using an observational data collection method, risky food safety practices were identified at Southwest Virginia farmers' markets. While market managers and vendors in three of the five markets observed had formal food safety training, numerous risky food safety behaviors were still observed including temperature abuse, cross contamination opportunities, and poor personal hygiene and sanitation. Additionally, the microbial quality of produce from Southwest Virginia farmers' markets was compared to produce sold at retail using culture based microbiological plating and molecular methods. Total aerobic bacteria and coliforms were enumerated, and the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and generic E. coli were determined. A significantly greater quantity of total aerobic bacteria was isolated from farmers' market leafy greens, onions and tomatoes when compared to a retail grocery store (P=0.0011, P=0.0395, and P<0.0001, respectively). Additionally, one or more target pathogen was isolated from 28 farmers' market samples and 16 retail grocery store samples. The observed risky food safety behaviors along with the bacterial data collected emphasize the need for a pathogen reduction focus on fresh produce not only at farmers' markets, but also with growers and other retail outlets. To help promote proper food safety practices at farmers' markets, a farmers' market food safety management plan (FSMP) template was developed to address the top five risk factors contributing to foodborne illness as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The FSMP was evaluated for practicality and feasibility through interviews with market mangers in North Carolina and Virginia. Most market managers (66.7%) agreed that the FSMP was practical for their market while only 33.3% agreed that they could implement the plan immediately. Revisions suggested to the FSMP will be made and it will be made available in Virginia and North Carolina in spring 2016. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MComm (Agricultural Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small‐scale agriculture is one of the few tools available to support improved rural livelihoods on a significant scale in South Africa. Access to output markets is a key obstacle for small farmers in generating higher incomes. Thus, the rise of modern markets (supermarkets in particular) is generally viewed as positive for the rural poor, although most commentators accede that there are challenges to be overcome in obtaining access to such markets. A literature survey indicates a mainstream point of view about the reasons for modern market exclusion, as well as the most appropriate policy responses. This viewpoint is characterized by an assessment that the “fault” for market exclusion lies largely with small producers – their personal characteristics, their production methods, and their location – rather than with these markets themselves. The corresponding logic is that if these issues are addressed small farmers will almost certainly be included in modern market supply chains. It is this study’s assertion that much of the research that has been undertaken to date is in fact incomplete, because it has excluded two key issues: The dominant supermarket business model; and the actual position of small farmers in those countries with high levels of supermarket concentration. An examination of the supermarket model suggests it is inherently hostile towards most producers, and that modern supermarket supply chain management strategies aim to maximize the extraction of value from other chain participants. Smaller producers are particularly hard hit by this strategy. The South African food retail market structure resembles that of industrialised countries rather than developing countries, and the largest local supermarkets probably have sufficient market share to exercise significant market power. Therefore, we should expect that the position of South African small farmers is similar to that of small farmers in industrialised countries, who are increasingly excluded by modern supermarket‐led supply chains. In light of this analysis, most of the current policy initiatives responses to address market exclusion seem woefully inadequate. Improving the quality of production, and small farmers’ access to skills and assets is important and necessary, but this study proposes that these actions on their own are not sufficient to guarantee access into modern supply chains. Insufficient research attention has been given to understanding how markets themselves become barriers to entry. This is a vital gap in local rural development policy: A market system that favours large over small farmers has the potential to exacerbate rural inequality and to neutralize policy aimed at supporting small farmers. Government needs to take the development of marketing opportunities specifically for small farmers more seriously, understanding that they face a very different set of market access challenges than do large farmers. They need to encourage and support the type of food networks and marketing structures that will have the greatest positive benefit on small farmers and the communities that they live in. This requires a different view of the workings of market networks, and a more critical assessment of how these impact on rural livelihoods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kleinskaalse landbou is een van die min hulpmiddels beskikbaar vir ondersteuning op beduidende skaal van ’n beter bestaan in landelike Suid‐Afrika. Toegang tot produksiemarkte is een van die struikelblokke wat kleinboere in die gesig staar wanneer hulle meer produseer. Die opkoms van moderne markte word algemeen beskou as positief vir armes op die platteland, alhoewel kommentaar meestal daarop dui dat daar uitdagings is wat te bowe gekom moet word ten einde toegang te verkry. ʼn Literatuurstudie dui op ʼn hoofstroomstandpunt ten opsigte van die redes vir markuitsluiting, asook die mees gepaste beleidsreaksies. Hierdie standpunt word gekenmerk deur ʼn mening dat die “fout” vir markuitsluiting hoofsaaklik by die produsente lê – hulle persoonlike eienskappe, hulle produksiemetodes, en hulle ligging – eerder as by hierdie markte self. Die ooreenstemmende logika is dat, as kleinboere die gehalte en standvastigheid van hulle produksie verbeter, dan sal hulle feitlik verseker by moderne markte ingesluit word. Hierdie studie voer aan dat baie van die navorsing wat tot dusver onderneem is, in werklikheid onvolledig is, weens die feit dat twee belangrike aangeleenthede: die dominante supermark‐sakemodel, en die posisie van kleinboere in daardie lande met hoë vlakke van supermarkkonsentrasie buite rekening gelaat word. ʼn Ondersoek van die supermarkmodel dui daarop dat dit inherent vyandig is teenoor die meeste landbouprodusente. In teenstelling met die siening van gelyke vennote wat in die rigting van ʼn gemeenskaplike doelstelling saamwerk, is die moderne supermarkvoorraadketting daarop ingestel om soveel moontlik waarde uit ander deelnemers aan die ketting te trek. Kleiner produsente kry veral swaar as gevolg van hierdie strategie. Die struktuur van die Suid‐Afrikaanse voedselkleinhandelmark toon ooreenkomste met dié van geïndustrialiseerde lande eerder as met dié van ontwikkelende lande, en die grootste plaaslike supermarkte het waarskynlik voldoende markaandele om aansienlike markkrag uit te oefen. Ons moet dus verwag dat die posisie van Suid‐Afrikaanse kleinboere soortgelyk is aan dié van kleinboere in geïndustrialiseerde lande, wat toenemend uitgesluit word as gevolg van voorraadkettings wat deur moderne supermarkte gelei word. In die lig van hierdie analise skyn die meeste van die reaksies van die huidige beleidsinisiatiewe in ’n poging om markuitsluiting die hoof te bied, bedroewend ontoereikend. Verbetering van die gehalte van produksie en kleinboere se toegang tot vaardighede en bates is belangrik en nodig, maar is op sigself nie voldoende om toegang tot moderne voorraadkettings te waarborg nie. Onvoldoende aandag is tot dusver in navorsing gegee aan begrip van hoe markte self hindernisse op die pad na toegang word. Dit is ʼn kardinale leemte in plaaslike landelike ontwikkelingsbeleid: ʼn markstelsel wat groot boere eerder as kleinboere bevoordeel, het die potensiaal om landelike ongelykheid te vererger en beleid gemik op steun aan kleinboere te neutraliseer. Die regering moet die ontwikkeling van bemarkingsgeleenthede – in die besonder vir kleinboere – ernstiger opneem, en begryp dat laasgenoemde voor baie andersoortige uitdagings ten opsigte van marktoegang te staan kom as groot boere. Hulle moet die soort voedselnetwerke en bemarkingstrukture wat die grootste positiewe voordele vir kleinboere en die gemeenskappe waarin hulle woon sal hê, aanmoedig en ondersteun. Dit vereis ʼn ander siening van die werking van marknetwerke, en ʼn meer kritiese waardebepaling van die invloed wat dit op landelike bestaan het.