The Farmers’ Market Coalitions provides advice to direct-marketing farmers and farmers markets on how to label and discuss romaine lettuce with customers, following the latest E.Coli outbreak. >> FIND OUT MORE

Farmers’ Market Metrics is a data collection and evaluation tool, which enables farmers’ market managers to automatically and quickly understand the power and potential of their farmers’ markets. The tool provides easy-to-share “widgets” that can be posted to social media accounts, downloaded in a report, or printed as posters for display at market. By adopting Market Metrics, markets across the state contribute to a broader picture of the state of the Certified Farmers’ Market industry in California. The Alliance is offering free Market Metrics subcriptions to CA markets under the FMPP grant project. >> FIND OUT MORE

National Farmers Market Week (Aug 5-11) has kicked off with a new, first-of-its kind series of promotional videos highlighting the benefits of farmers’ market shopping. The videos, produced by the Ecology Center in partnership with the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets, are part of a statewide social media campaign designed to drive new shoppers to farmers’ markets and to strengthen the identity of California’s certified farmers’ markets. >> FIND OUT MORE

Last November, San Mateo County agriculture officials discovered two adult Mediterranean fruit flies — or Medflies for short — in Half Moon Bay. In response, Erin Tormey of Coastside Farmers’ Markets has stepped up to prevent further infestations and deal with the quarantine while running two bustling markets. >> READ MORE

A new Market Match Impact Report, from the Ecology Center, finds that giving CalFresh recipients incentives to buy fresh food at farmers’ markets leads to healthier diets. After two years, CalFresh recipients reported that: 73% increased the amount of fresh fruits & vegetables they buy each week; 71% say their family’s health has improved; and 67% increased the number of trips to the farmers’ market. The report was released during a celebration of increased funding in the state budget for nutrition incentives, spearheaded by Assemblymember Phil Ting. >> FIND OUT MORE

The House passed a deeply flawed version of the Farm Bill on June 21. The bill contains many threats to local and regional food systems, including farmers’ markets. The Senate version provides hope for a better food system.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture passed a bipartisan farm bill that doesn’t make drastic cuts to SNAP, conservation or local and regional food programs. As the House looms closer to a second vote on their disastrous bill, advocates prepare to look to the Senate for a strong bill.

In a recent blog post, the Farmers’ Market Coalition responds to the draft Farm Bill legislation released by the House Agriculture Committee last week. It has ups and downs for farmers’ markets across the country.

The Ecology Center was awarded a Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant to further the work of the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets over the next three years. >> READ MORE

Click here to go to the CDFA Regulations page. Note: you will need to scroll down to find the Direct Marketing section where you will see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Initial Statement of Reasons and Proposed Text. Comments are due by December 7th.

Find out more about these bills and how they impact California farmers. >> READ MORE

The California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets is pleased to announce the formation of it’s inaugural steering committee. Individuals from all over the state come to the committee with a wealth of experience and expertise in farmers’ markets. >> READ MORE

Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) introduced AB 1871. In an effort to protect consumers, the bill clarifies standards regarding false and misleading advertising, direct marketing registration, food safety self-certification… >> READ MORE

Buried in more than 900 pages of the new farm bill is a small nationwide program that will allow low-income families to double their food stamp benefits at farmers markets. >> READ MORE