Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITYCommunity Farm Alliance members meet with members of the Federation ofSouthern Cooperatives and the Coalition of Immokolee Workers on the Smithfarm in Trimble County, Ky., to discuss common struggles and successes.(Source: Community Farm Alliance).health consequences. The Portland Farmers’ Marketbrought a new source of health and nutritious foodinto the neighborhood, and made it even moreaccessible by accepting EBT cards (food stamps) andRowan Street Co-op vouchers.Transcending the barriers of race and class, thePortland Farmers’ Market became a point ofcommunity cohesion, a new gathering place for widevariety ofcommunityPrimarily, farmers’ markets members. Peopleare complex, with lessons frequent the Marketnot just to purchaseemerging around issues offood, but also topublic space, functionality,socialize before orand community development. after making theirpurchases.Consequently, othercommunity-based organizations and service providersare accessing the Market as a public space forgathering. For example, the Market offers informationabout lead poisoning and free testing of soil for leadcontamination, back-to-school programs giving awayschool supplies, cooking and nutrition classes, voterregistration, and nutrition programs focusing on kidsand youth (some of whom became interns at the CFAoffice in the winter).Lessons LearnedThe Ford Foundation’s experiences in Louisville andother public markets can inform similar efforts byother foundations, suggests Garcia. Primarily,farmers’ markets are complex, with lessons emergingCommunity Farm Alliance vice president, Beth Tillery, sells her flowersand produce at a farmers’ market in Lexington, Ky. (Source: CommunityFarm Alliance).around issues of public space, functionality, andcommunity development.Garcia recommends that efforts to create a farmers’market be viewed as place-making efforts, withsignificant attention geared to issues like location,complementary activities, and entertainment. Notonly must a farmers’ market make bottom linebusiness sense, but it also should have clear potentialto support adjacent business opportunities. Strongmanagement skills are required to make decisionslike allotting space and selecting a healthy mix ofvendors—providing benefits both to the customersand the vendors. Finally, funders and organizersshould consider the projected and potentialcommunity development impacts and whether themarket can affect or integrate with existingcommunity development efforts in adjacentneighborhoods.Contact PeopleMiguel GarciaActing Deputy Director,Community and Resource Development UnitFord Foundationm.garcia@fordfound.org(212) 573-4618Deborah WebbExecutive DirectorCommunity Farm Alliancedwebbcfa@bellsouth.net(502) 223-3655109Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities