WorldFMC Academy Studio – Farmers Markets and Biodiversity: A Global Conversation Held on June 18
On Wednesday, June 18, the WorldFMC Academy Studio hosted a powerful session exploring one of the most vital themes of our time: the connection between farmers markets and biodiversity.
Biodiversity—essential for healthy food systems—ensures resilience in the face of climate change, protects ecosystems, supports nutrition, and preserves cultural heritage. Yet it remains under serious threat from industrial agriculture, habitat loss, and economic systems that prioritize uniformity over diversity.
The session highlighted the crucial role that farmers markets play in defending biodiversity. These markets are spaces where traditional knowledge is preserved, native and heirloom varieties are cultivated and sold, and communities access diverse, local foods rarely found on supermarket shelves.
This event followed the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, a particularly meaningful date for WorldFMC this year, marked by the launch of the FMCOUNT! campaign. Around the world, members and supporters manually counted every plant-based product sold at their markets, offering a unique snapshot of the incredible biodiversity alive in today’s farmers markets.
During the June Studio, participants came together to reflect on the lessons learned and discuss the path forward.
Alvaro Toledo from the FAO opened the session with a global overview of biodiversity, addressing current challenges, emerging opportunities, and the critical role of farmers markets in preserving genetic resources and promoting local food systems.
The webinar featured highlights from the FMCOUNT! campaign so far—what has been learned, what obstacles were encountered, what stories inspired, and what comes next in the evaluation calendar.
Participants also heard directly from members in Peru, Türkiye, and Sri Lanka. Through short, impactful videos recorded in their markets, these local farmers shared how they are actively championing biodiversity through their daily work.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A and open discussion, where participants from across the globe shared insights, asked questions, and reflected together on the way forward.
This free and open event sparked meaningful dialogue and celebrated the people, markets, and biodiversity that nourish our planet and shape its future.
Coming soon in our Youtube page the recording of the session.
