The World Farmers Markets Coalition is proud to announce that our President, Richard McCarthy, will be speaking at the 12th International Public Markets Conference, taking place from June 12 to 14, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
This global gathering, organized by Project for Public Spaces, is the largest and most influential event for public market professionals worldwide. It brings together over 400 leaders, operators, advocates, and policymakers from across the globe to share insights, explore innovations, and advance the role of public markets in shaping healthier, more resilient communities.
Join the Conversation: “Make Some Noise!” Panel on June 13
On Friday, June 13, Richard will join an exciting panel discussion titled: “Make Some Noise! Scaling Up Policies from Farmers Market Outreach and Advocacy Around the World.”
He will be joined by esteemed colleagues Ana Maria Huaita Alfaro, international specialist in urban food markets (Lima, Peru) and Jean-Nick Trudel, director of the Association des Marchés Publics du Québec (Québec, Canada) to discuss how farmers markets worldwide are not only feeding communities but also driving policy change, building inclusive economies, and advocating for stronger public recognition.
Together they will discuss the work done in this direction by WFMC members in South America, move to the efforts deployed by regional organisations in Canadá and reach the initiatives and impacts the WFMC is already achieving worldwide. This way, the panel will explore how grassroots outreach and international advocacy efforts are essential to positioning farmers markets as critical infrastructure for healthy food systems, cultural preservation, and climate resilience.
Milwaukee: A City of Markets and Community Spirit
The 2025 edition of the International Public Markets Conference is hosted in collaboration with the Project for Public Spaces, and the Milwaukee Public Market. Milwaukee’s vibrant market scene and rich cultural heritage make it an ideal location to spotlight innovations in public market practices.
Attendees will take part in plenaries, guided tours, hands-on workshops, and lively networking events throughout the city’s historic Third Ward and surrounding regions. From bustling market halls to urban farms and community food hubs, Milwaukee promises to offer a dynamic learning environment.
Connecting Local Action to Global Impact: The FMCOUNT! Campaign
As we prepare for this important moment of global exchange, the World Farmers Markets Coalition is also deep in the heart of our flagship campaign: Farmers Markets Count! (FMCOUNT!)
FMCOUNT! is a year-long global communication campaign that celebrates and quantifies the role of farmers markets in advancing biodiversity, inclusive communities, and access to sustainable diets. It’s built around a simple but powerful idea: When we count what matters, we make it count.
Through coordinated counting events at markets worldwide, we are documenting the often invisible impact of farmers markets providing valuable data and stories that can inform future advocacy and policy decisions.
What We’ve Counted So Far
In May 2025, as part of the International Day for Biological Diversity, markets from across continents took part in our first FMCOUNT! activation. The response was inspiring. Markets counted and showcased a dazzling range of local products, vegetables, native seeds, traditional herbs, and more. The effort highlighted how farmers markets are guardians of biodiversity, preserving agricultural heritage through everyday commerce.
The dedication and creativity from participating markets made clear: when it comes to biodiversity, farmers markets are doing the work and now they need the recognition.
What’s Next
- July 3–10, 2025: Markets will count the farmers who make them thrive paying special attention to women, youth, and Indigenous producers, in honor of World Rural Development Day.
- October 13–19, 2025: For World Food Day, we’ll celebrate shoppers, highlighting the essential role of community participation in sustaining vibrant, local food systems.
Each “count” contributes not only to public awareness, but to a growing body of evidence supporting the value of farmers markets in policy, funding, and urban planning decisions.
Advocacy on Stage and in Action
As Richard McCarthy takes the stage in Milwaukee, he’ll bring with him the voices, stories, and data collected to demonstrate how local markets can shape global policy conversations.The International Public Markets Conference is more than an event, it’s a platform for building the future of public markets. We’re honored to be part of it and to share how outreach, advocacy, and collective action can elevate farmers markets as essential infrastructure for sustainable development.
