For the third time, we will gather in Italy, the birthplace of the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) to host the Third General Assembly. This return carries a profound symbolic weight: it is here that our journey began, and here that we return to measure how far we have come.
Only four years ago, seven dreamers united by a vision that felt both urgent and ambitious: to create a global platform for farmers markets. Today, that vision has become reality. We are now a coalition of more than 100 associations from across the globe, a community that transcends borders, cultures, and languages but shares a common belief in the power of local food systems.
From the beginning, our mission was clear. Farmers markets are not only commercial spaces, they are cultural, social, and political hubs. They are places where farmers and citizens meet face to face, where transparency is built into every transaction, and where the value of food is measured not just in price but in quality, tradition, and trust. We understood that these unique qualities needed recognition and representation at a global level. That is why WorldFMC was born: to share best practices, to influence policies, and to give strength to the many local voices that, when united, can shape international debates.
As we appoach this Third General Assembly, we do so with new energy and with new allies. Cities, international institutions, youth movements, women leaders, chefs, and farmers from every continent are now part of our shared path. Together, they embody the growing awareness that local food systems are not a niche interest but a key response to some of the world’s greatest challenges: climate change, inequality, and the erosion of biodiversity.
Over these years, we have planted our roots deep into the soil of farmers markets everywhere. The image of our flag with its iconic market gazebo now waves in many countries, symbolizing that we are no longer just a coalition, we are a living, breathing community of practitioners. Each market, each farmer, each citizen who participates in this movement strengthens those roots and nourishes our growth.
But while our roots keep us grounded, they also give us the strength to grow further. Our identity will always remain tied to the spaces where farmers and communities come together. Yet the time has come to widen our scope. Farmers markets are an entry point, a gateway into broader conversations about the future of food and society.
The globalized food system has shown its limits all too clearly: vulnerability to shocks, environmental costs, and disconnection from place and people. What we need now is a return to the local. A return to democracy and food sovereignty. A return to protecting biodiversity, nurturing territories, and building economies that serve people rather than exploit them. In this movement toward renewal, the WorldFMC will position itself as the global organization of local food systems.
This is the challenge before us in the Third General Assembly. WorldFMC must not only represent farmers markets but also step into a larger role to become the voice of local and indigenous food systems worldwide. Our task is to articulate a vision of food that is rooted in communities, respectful of cultures, and sustainable for the future.
Gathering once again in Italy, where it all began, is not simply a matter of geography. It is a reminder that from small beginnings, great transformations can grow. What started as a conversation among seven dreamers is now a global movement. And with strong roots, clear vision, and a vibrant community, our branches can reach even higher.
