About

Sweet_Turnips

Mission:

 “To provide educational support for farmers market organizers, farmers, vendors and other community food and nutrition organizations through partnerships, resource-sharing, and training on best management practices, operating procedures, and state regulations through workshops, webinars, and various social marketing venues”.

IFMA is committed to growing a Farmers Market community via the following objectives:

  • Partnering  with local community and state organizations in educating the farmers, market managers and the general public on the economic, health and social benefits of providing and promoting consumption of  fresh, locally grown products at farmers markets.   
  • Increasing the number of farmers markets that accept the Illinois LINK card which will greatly expand SNAP recipients’ access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and other eligible food products.   
  • Working with the Illinois WIC and Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Programs, Illinois Farm to School Program, the Commission to End Hunger, Feeding Illinois and other nutrition programs in developing outreach strategies for providing families and children with increased access, education and training for farmers and market managers. 

 Membership Benefits include:

  • Educational opportunities along with discounted registration fees for training webinars, conferences and regional workshops;
  • Access to an online Market Management Manual
  • Market development services for new markets, staff and vendor programs;
  • Promotion and networking opportunities through list serve, quarterly newsletters,  and website;
  • Advocacy to state leaders on issues of importance to our industry, such as Food Safety discussion and recommendations;
  • Partnerships with state, local and non-profit agencies to develop and administer programs that support farmers markets, farmers and consumers;
  • Committee membership opportunities to help shape the Association and its programs and services
  • Collaboration on state level-food and farm policy issues through access to Illinois Food Farms and Jobs Council and the Illinois Farmers Market Task Force;
  • Having Community, Statewide and National input in helping craft legislative priorities and participating in the growing local food constituency.
  • Tax Status   The Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.  It takes the support of everyone –  farmers, markets,  organizations and customers to effectively provide a viable and sustainable farmers market community in Illinois.Any monetary donations to IFMA are tax-deductible as allowed by federal law.

Meet the 2016 IFMA Board of Directors    https://ilfarmersmarkets.org/meet-the-ifma-board