During the recent Third General Assembly of the World Farmers Markets Coalition, we gathered with our global network to explore some of the most pressing issues shaping today’s agricultural landscape. Our discussions focused on the role of youth and women in agriculture, the urgent need for clear and supportive food policies, and the importance of defining farmers markets as essential pillars of sustainable local food systems.
As part of this work, we developed and advanced two key position papers that reflect our collective vision and priorities:
- “FARMERS MARKETS: PROTECTING LIFE THROUGH DAILY EXCHANGES THAT CONNECT PEOPLE, PRODUCTS, AND PLANET”
- “URBAN FOOD POLICY: FARMERS MARKETS AS DRIVERS FOR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS”
These two papers articulate the fundamental role that farmers markets play in transforming food systems from the ground up.
The first paper calls for a clear and shared definition of what farmers markets are, underscoring their unique role as spaces where producers and consumers meet directly. Farmers markets are not just places of trade, they are cultural and social hubs, spaces of biodiversity preservation, and catalysts for local economic and environmental resilience. A clear definition is essential to ensure that supportive policies can be effectively implemented at local, national, and international levels.
The second paper highlights how urban food policies can and should leverage farmers markets to build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient local food systems. Farmers markets act as bridges between rural and urban communities, ensuring fair income for farmers, improving access to fresh and nutritious food, and strengthening community ties. By integrating farmers markets into urban planning and policy frameworks, cities can respond more effectively to challenges like food insecurity, social isolation, and environmental degradation.
Together, these position papers reaffirm our commitment to making farmers markets strategic allies in shaping fairer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems worldwide.
