2007 Winner
Marin Farmers Market Association

Category: Environmental & Sustainability Education

The Marin Farmers Market Association (MFMA) is a 24 year-old community organization that is committed to public education about the value of small, local, sustainable farms.The MFMA offers a number of creative educational programs that reach out to the Bay Area community.

The MFMA recently launched a new type of marketing for their farmers markets.Their witty, eye-catching educational ad campaign has taken the Marin Farmers Market beyond simply promoting shopping into a new strategy for providing broader public education about sustainable food systems. The highly successful campaign has resulted in increased attendance at the markets and higher sales volumes as reported by the vendors. MFMA's educational outreach efforts also extend to local schools and hospitals. They regularly lead school children on tours of the Marin Farmers Markets and teach about local farms at community events. They have also formed partnerships with local hospitals to educate and provide healthy, fresh market food to patients and staff.Through all of these innovative outreach efforts, the MFMA has achieved its goals of supporting regional sustainable producers, uniting farmers and communities, and educating the public about the benefits of buying locally and sustainably grown food.

leah@marinfarmersmarket.org

www.marinfarmersmarket.org