Small farmers and farmers markets in Tarrant County have seen a surge in demand from people looking for alternative egg options. Organizations such as The Blue Zones Project (BZP), Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration, Grow Southeast and Tarrant County Food Policy Council (TCFPC) are working to bridge this gap. BZP is helping today's markets by making it easier to use SNAP benefits. Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration and Grow Southeast are helping new and emerging farmers in the area increase the amount of locally grown produce available for sale at the market.
The TCFPC brings together representatives of the local food system to address policy change at a systematic level. This class covers the risks of market development and the relationships that small farmers and ranchers must manage when seeking to establish supplier relationships with buyers of restaurants, groceries, wholesalers and food services. McDonald states that Texas Farmers Market has an average of 3,000 shoppers in Cedar Park and 4,000 in Austin per market day. If these neighborhood farmers' markets are successful and provide a viable source of income for farmers, they may attract others to start growing produce to sell.
The popularity of urban agriculture is on the rise across the country, and in Tarrant County, demand for locally produced food is far greater than supply. For example, farmers can grow and market fresh peas with 60 percent less energy than frozen peas and 75 percent less energy than packaging them in an aluminum can. While there is a great opportunity to take advantage of the demand for local products in local markets, many farmers are hesitant or unprepared to meet the transactional requirements demanded by these buyers to manage their own food safety, insurance, product quality and traceability risks. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Commercial Horticulture will offer two excellent programs for urban farmers and those considering starting an urban agricultural business in April.
As for the future of farmers markets, McDonald believes that demand for fresh produce will continue to grow and that supporting that growth means supporting Texas farmers and ranchers. The survey noted that farmers' markets offer an important avenue to support agricultural occupations, especially for younger farmers, who may already face obstacles related to land accessibility, student loan debt, health insurance and the search for qualified labor. For more information on local dining options in North Texas, see the Tarrant County Food Policy Council's “Local Food Map”. Regardless of the organizational structure, the approximately 150 Texas farmers markets and the number of shoppers they attract are starting to add up for local communities.
Respondents, comprised of NYFC members under 40, said that farmers' markets accounted for the second highest proportion of their agricultural sales (18 percent), and the highest proportion (19 percent) was due to direct sales to customers who pay in advance for products. This one-and-a-half-day educational program was developed for potential and existing commercial fruit growers, amateur growers, teacher gardeners and extension agents who wish to train in basic orchard management, integrated pest management, recommended fruit varieties, ecological practices and fruit marketing. The TCFPC also has a local food map that catalogs the places in Tarrant County where local products are grown and sold. Agricultural policy has had a major impact on the farmer's market movement in Tarrant County.
Organizations such as The Blue Zones Project (BZP), Healthy Tarrant County Collaboration, Grow Southeast and Tarrant County Food Policy Council (TCFPC) have all worked together to make it easier for people to use SNAP benefits at these markets while also helping new and emerging farmers increase their locally grown produce offerings. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Commercial Horticulture has also provided educational programs for potential urban agricultural businesses. The survey results showed that farmers' markets accounted for 18-19 percent of agricultural sales while direct sales accounted for 19 percent. This indicates that there is a great opportunity to take advantage of the demand for local products in local markets.
However, many farmers are hesitant or unprepared to meet the transactional requirements demanded by these buyers due to food safety concerns or lack of knowledge about traceability risks. The future of farmers markets looks bright as demand for fresh produce continues to grow. Supporting this growth means supporting Texas farmers and ranchers who may already face obstacles related to land accessibility, student loan debt or health insurance. The TCFPC's “Local Food Map” provides information on local dining options in North Texas while cataloging places where local products are grown and sold.
