Farmers markets are far more than places to shop, they are living, breathing hubs where sustainability, local economies, social connection, and food education meet. Each purchase made directly from a farmer or producer supports transparency in the food chain, strengthens local resilience, and reduces environmental impact. These markets are proof that community-driven food systems can thrive.
But as essential as they are, farmers markets don’t grow on passion alone. To remain resilient and continue evolving, they need skills, tools, and continuous learning. That’s why, thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ programme, the Farmers Markets Competences Coalition, we developed a new asynchronous online learning platform designed specifically for farmers and market managers.
A Platform Designed for Real Needs
The platform offers practical, tailored courses built around the everyday challenges and opportunities faced by those who bring farmers markets to life. From management and communication to logistics and innovation, the lessons are crafted to provide concrete solutions and empower local food actors with the knowledge they need to improve, collaborate, and innovate.
And this is just the beginning. The platform is designed to grow over time, with updated content and new modules added to respond to emerging needs across the sector. Just like farmers markets themselves, it’s a living tool, dynamic, adaptable, and rooted in community.
A Live Demo at the Heart of Rome
To bring this platform directly to the people it was made for, we organized a live demonstration at the Circo Massimo Farmers Market in Rome on Saturday, 19 July.
Visitors had the opportunity to:
- Discover the project and understand how it supports the farmers market community
- Watch a real-time demonstration of the platform
- Try it themselves with guidance from our team
It was a vibrant morning filled with curiosity, conversations, and an overwhelming sense of shared purpose. We were thrilled to meet so many visitors, exchange stories, and present the work we’ve developed with passion and dedication. Seeing people interact with the platform firsthand reminded us why this project matters: farmers markets flourish when supported by strong skills, strong networks, and a shared vision for the future.
This project is funded by the European Commission and carried out by a dedicated partnership:
World Farmers Markets Coalition (project leader), Tabilia (Italy), Udruga Hrvatskih Tržnica (Croatia), and Xarxa Consum Sostenible (Barcelona).
