Yearly Reports and Data

Year	Number of Markets
2008	64
2007	60
2006	56
2005	55
2004	51
2003	46
2002	45
2001	44
2000	37
1996	27
1995	27
1994	24
1986	19

Income from markets

Since 2000 NOFA-VT has been conducting surveys of farmers' markets to track gross sales of individual markets and the total revenue of all farmers' markets in Vermont. Total gross sales for the markets that responded in 2008 (75%) were $5,660,220 with average sales of $117,921. During this time period the largest markets (Norwich, Burlington, Brattleboro and Montpelier) have been experiencing an increase in gross sales of 14-20% a year.The greatest contributor to a market's gross sales are the sale of agricultural products (accounting for approximately 50% of gross), followed by prepared foods and craft sales. Farm to Family coupons make up less than 5% of market sales at most markets, although they did contribute up to 15% of gross sales at several markets.

2008 Conclusions

While some gaps exist in the survey record, data show a dramatic increase in farmers' markets over the past nine years. The number of total markets has grown every year, as have the average numbers of vendors at each market. Average market budgets appear to fluctuate, which is likely a result of the data from smaller markets with volunteer managers. Average sales per market continue to increase, however, and the ratio of agricultural sales to prepared foods to crafts is consistent, suggesting an appropriate vendor balance. Farm to Family sales have also remained fairly constant, and with the current efforts to increase EBT availability at markets, access is improving for the economically disadvantaged. All of these indicators report that farmers' markets are a strong and growing part of the Vermont economy.

Perhaps even more important than this survey-informed economic progress is the change in the nature of requests from markets via mini-grant applications. In 2000, market organizers primarily requested mini-grants for basic expenses: the market first paid its volunteer manager, first purchased liability insurance, or first launched entertainment and special events. In addition to these needs, attracting customers with better promotions were goals of markets then, and they still appear on grant applications. However, we see a difference in that many 2009 grants are targeted towards more sophisticated market development: expanding market access with EBT/Debit card readers, developing websites and on-line networking tools, and integrating better sales tracking tools. As markets continue to grow in number and size, this technology will only increase the popularity of farmers' markets and serve to better Vermonters' access to fresh, local food.