Study shows farmers market's are on the rise

A study done by Allison Brown shows that, despite the fact that farmers markets are no longer the main source of sustenance for people in small and large towns alike, they have grown in number for the past 30 years.

Between 1970 and 1986, writes Brown, farmers markets grew at an estimated rate of 500 percent, according to one source. One main reason for this, according to the report, is the passage of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976.

In a previous post, I mentioned that the Athens Farmers Market was established in the summer of 1972. That means that the AFM was part of that estimated 500 percent increase.

Brown goes on to say that farmers markets, like almost every thing else, seem to go through times of growth and decline. In the end, however, as can be seen by Brown's research, the aggregate amount of farmers markets appear to grow over time.

This is a very good outlook for all farmers markets, but more importantly for a market in a small, rural area whose residents do not always have a large amount of disposable income. And, as was noted in a previous post, Athens farmers market has seen a huge growth since its quaint beginnings, which also mirrors the national trend.

An interesting and often-discussed issue regarding this, however, is that much of the market's possible customer base is on a rotating basis. As mentioned in earlier posts, students are a huge, untapped customer base for the market, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to get a consistent flow of student buyers because, after four or five years, they are all gone and replaced with a whole new group of students who must be wooed 

he offerings of the market. That is another reason why this blog is important. It is a link to past students, as well as current and soon-to-be students to become accustomed to the wonders of the farmers market.

The photo was provided by Creative Commons image search.