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o Local farmers can offer more choices, such as organic vegetables and livestock, <br />and other specialty products that are not likely to be mass marketed. <br />o Knowing who's growing your food is a powerful thing. It allows you to ask <br />questions, and to make your own choices about how the products you purchase <br />are grown or raised. <br />Good for your community: <br />o Purchasing products from local farmers and artisan producers keeps more <br />money in the community. <br />o Farmers Markets have been identified as a primary community and economic <br />development tool in that they can, among other things, 1) create a destination <br />for retail and commerce, 2) revitalize and reconnect neighborhoods, 3) promote <br />pedestrian travel, 4) improve public health, and 5) foster leadership and pride in <br />a community. <br />o Farmers markets generate sales tax revenue through economic impact to <br />surrounding businesses. It is estimated that the Bayfair farmers market <br />generates approximately $39,000 in General Fund revenue annually. Please see <br />Appendix A for information regarding the Bayfair farmers market economic <br />impact in San Leandro. <br />Good for your environment: <br />o The average American dinner travels 1,500 miles before reaching the dinner <br />plate. Eating local food greatly reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and <br />wasteful packing materials. <br />Potential Community Concerns <br />o Saturation of existing farmers markets (see appendix B) <br />o The location for the market is often in a public parking area which may interfere <br />with other businesses in the area. <br />o Some existing businesses or other local farmers market(s) may take exception to <br />the competition. <br />o Leadership to start or continue a market may be lacking. <br />o Disagreements among participants may interfere with continue operation of the <br />market. <br />The Solution: Markets are most successful when there is cooperation, involvement, outreach <br />to, and communication among three essential groups: The community and/or <br />managing/sponsoring group, the producers or farmers, and the customers or others who <br />support the local market. <br />