The Farmers Market Federation of NY has not promoted a statewide event in the past for National Farmers Market Week, but this exceptional year we feel it is important to do so. Give Back NY is a show of appreciation for our local communities for the tremendous support of farmers markets and local food since the COVID Pandemic began. We are inviting farmers markets to connect with the local emergency food programs/food pantries serving their region and assist with a food drive to take place at the market during Farmers Market Week, August 2-8.
WHAT: A week-long celebration of farmers markets that will emphasize food donations to local food pantries as a means of sharing the bounty! We hope to encourage consumers and farmers to offer donations to their neighborhood food program that serves the community on their visit to the farmers market during that week.
HOW: The Federation has put together a toolkit to help both food pantries and farmers markets prepare for and implement Give Back NY, including guidelines for communications, strategies for working cooperatively to benefit local food pantries, as well as communications and posts for building consumer awareness for the week-long celebration. To assist Farmers Market Managers with preparing for the event, the toolkit contains lists of emergency food programs in their area that Managers can contact for participating in the food drive and having a presence at the market that week. For food pantries, the toolkit contains details on participating in a farmers market and suggestions for communicating with the market, as well as their clientele. The toolkit will also contain signage and social media template material for both the farmers market and food pantry to use for promoting the weeklong Give Back NY celebration.
GOALS: to help alleviate hunger in our communities, inspire awareness in each community of local pantries and the work they do, and help develop a lasting partnership between markets, farmers and food programs that serve local families. Ultimately, we hope that Give Back NY will help launch a “give back” that keeps on giving.
Please join us in celebrating farmers markets, local food and farmers during the National Farmers Market Week, August 2 – 8, by participating in Give Back NY. View the toolkit for all the information, contacts and guidance you will need to partner with a local food pantry, promote the event and build a success food donation program to honor our communities.