Come check out the markets in Olean and Franklinville. Farmers markets are one of the identifiers of vibrant livable communities and are an important part of the linkages that create a safe and local food system. Looking beyond the tailgates of the weekly vendors, farmers markets are often the catalyst for community development and provide positive economic impact. The multiplier effect of the money transacted at the market recirculates within the community at least three times over. In contrast, the money transacted at chain grocery stores or big box retail chains almost immediately leaves the community and accrues to the corporation. Local farmers markets present a unique opportunity for consumers to develop relationships with the people that grow or make the products for sale. Farmers markets also create a density of consumer traffic that allows other businesses to capitalize on the available consumers. As well, farmers markets tend to be a social gathering place thereby strengthening civic engagement and the social fabric of a community. The growers and producers also create a solid customer base and market outlets for their products through their presence at a market. In 2006 the Farmers' Market Federation of New York published a research paper on the community and economic development effects of farmers markets. The spillover effects of even the smallest weekly tailgate style farmers market can be quite significant and ripple throughout the community. Click on the following link to download and read The Value of Farmers' Markets to New York's Communities . So the next time you visit your favorite farmers market, know that each purchase that you make has a far reaching effect throughout the community and contributes to creating a strong local food system.
