The Kansas Department of Agriculture has selected Allen County Farmers Market as a recipient of the Meet Me at the Market stipend program.
Twelve markets were selected as part of the Farmers Market Consumer Recruitment Campaign Grant, made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant.
This grant makes funds available to state departments of agriculture to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops.
According to the USDA, specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. This stipend will provide the Allen County Farmers Market with resources to increase awareness of specialty crops available at the market, including funds for promotional events and marketing programs.
The Allen County Farmers Market is an open-air market with three locations two in Iola and one in Humboldt. Vision, SNAP, Kansas SFMNP vouchers, and debit cards are accepted. They plan on using this stipend to add additional sales, retailing and marketing options.
Our goal is that these resources and the marketing stipend will allow this market to expand, promote, and increase their sales of specialty crop items, by launching a website, the new community table as well as the senior and disabled shopping service, which will ultimately connect consumers with local producers. The Allen County Farmers Market is ready to take their market to the next level and increase engagement in their community and we are excited to help them do so, said Lexi Wright, From the Land of Kansas coordinator.
To learn more about Allen County Farmers Market and the new initiatives for the 2018 season you can contact Robin Schallie at mailto:[email protected] Rschallie.acfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Like the market on Facebook or watch for the website acfarmersmarket.com acfarmersmarket.com
