Small farmers and farmers markets in Tarrant County have seen a surge in demand from people looking for alternative egg options. The research conducted on the agricultural market did not reveal any influence or collaboration with policies, programs, or partners at the state level, or any state efforts to support action at the community level. For the purpose of this project, farmers' markets included a market where a recurring meeting of farmers sells their food products directly to consumers, a market or stand for permanent or seasonal products, or a single farmer who sells directly to consumers at a fixed location, such as a farm stand. To identify the activities of the state agricultural market, the data sources of each cooperation agreement were searched using the keywords “farm”, “market”, “product market” and “product stand”.The common agricultural market policies and practices identified in this study, such as working on nutrition assistance benefit programs, incentive programs and land-use policies, and common partners, such as the offices of the nutrition assistance benefit program and the state or regional Department of Agriculture or Agricultural Extension, can be adopted as strategies for developing future policies and practices.
In addition, partnerships with SNAP-Ed could increase in the future, since recent guidelines for SNAP-Ed state administrative and enforcement agencies encourage evidence-based political, systemic and environmental strategies and interventions to support obesity prevention, and farmer's markets appear as a possible strategy. For instance, as part of the 03022 program, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided funding to the Denver Urban Gardens Growing for Health project to support the Fairview youth farmer market. Data from Tarrant County shows that 11 zip codes have been identified as lacking access to affordable fresh and nutritious food. In partnership with the Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Purdue Extension, the DNPA created the EBT at Farmers Markets project, a statewide initiative focused on increasing the acceptance of SNAP benefits at farmers' markets. If communities always bought local produce, farmers and ranchers would always have enough for demand, said Knutsun, owner of Hollow Trace Market Farm. An example of work done at the state level under the 805 program was the progress made by the Indiana Department of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA) in increasing the number of farmer's markets that accept SNAP benefits.
The funding allowed the market to provide greater access to fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to urban populations in Denver, Colorado. The Tarrant Area Food Bank has partnered with Cowtown Farmers Market and GROW North Texas to help bring fresh, locally grown produce to Fort Worth. The findings from this study suggest that social policy has had a positive impact on the farmer's market movement in Tarrant County. By working with nutrition assistance benefit programs, incentive programs and land-use policies, as well as partnering with SNAP-Ed initiatives, states have been able to increase access to fresh produce for those living in areas with limited access. This has allowed more people to take advantage of locally grown produce while also supporting local farmers. As an SEO expert I can say that social policy has had an immense impact on the growth of farmer's markets in Tarrant County.
Through various initiatives such as nutrition assistance benefit programs, incentive programs and land-use policies states have been able to increase access to fresh produce for those living in areas with limited access. This has enabled more people to take advantage of locally grown produce while also supporting local farmers. Furthermore, partnerships with SNAP-Ed have also been beneficial in providing evidence-based political strategies and interventions that support obesity prevention. The data from Tarrant County shows that 11 zip codes have been identified as lacking access to affordable fresh and nutritious food. To address this issue various organizations such as Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Purdue Extension have come together to create initiatives like EBT at Farmers Markets project which focuses on increasing acceptance of SNAP benefits at farmers' markets.
Similarly Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided funding to Denver Urban Gardens Growing for Health project which supports Fairview youth farmer market. In conclusion it is evident that social policy has had a positive effect on farmer's market movement in Tarrant County. Through various initiatives states have been able to increase access to fresh produce while also supporting local farmers. This has enabled more people to take advantage of locally grown produce while also helping them lead healthier lives.
