Expanding Access and Alternatives: Building Farmers’ Markets in Low-Income Communities

Abstract

Abstract Although farmers' markets are the most widespread and visible of the diverse alternative agrifood institutions that have emerged over the past three decades, inequalities of class and geography limit their accessibility and availability to economically vulnerable populations. In this article, I examine the problems and prospects of establishing farmers' markets that serve low-income customers. Creating such markets is complicated, requiring interplay between community-based efforts and government policies. To illustrate, I draw on a case study of alternative institution-building in Louisville, Kentucky. The account is framed in a review of the policies and political protagonism that have contributed to farmers' markets as sites for enhancing food access. Notes 1. A more comprehensive suite of projects, conceived explicitly toward strengthening community food security, have come via the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program. Authorized in 1996, the Program has supported some 240 innovative projects, including development of farmers' markets (CitationCFSC et al. 2007). 2. In 2003 Louisville and the surrounding Jefferson County merged, and the resulting entity is now referred to as Louisville Metro or simply Louisville. 3. See CitationJones (1988) for more on the political-economy of West Louisville. 4. Disclosure: I joined CFA in 1996 and my Louisville membership has comprised the role of activist–researcher. I participated with the organization's Community Food Assessment, have carried out fieldwork on local farmers' markets and other food system initiatives, and served on the Louisville Food Security Task Force. 5. In the summer of 2007, another West Louisville farmers' market was established, with organizational support from CFA. This was run by a new food business, Urban Fresh, composed of a small group of young African Americans. At the market and other venues, they sold local produce bulked by the city's new farmer-owned distribution business, Grasshoppers, Inc. (see CitationMarkowitz 2008). 6. Although this figure sounds distressingly low, nation-wide, about a quarter of markets surveyed in 2005 generated average monthly sales of less than $2,500 (CitationRagland and Tropp 2009: Table 2, p. 26).