Our mission is to create a thriving network of marketplaces for local food and farm products through education, innovative services, programs and partnerships and providing resources to underserved populations. At the core of our mission is the belief that farmers markets across the state should be welcoming, local spaces open to all.

North Carolina has a thriving economy of farmers markets as well as local, regional, and statewide partnerships that support markets and NC farmers. For many small-scale NC farmers, farmers markets are a critical part of their success. In 2022, our first statewide Farmers Market Census found that nearly 6.2 million people visited farmers markets in North Carolina that year. The Census highlights farmers markets as vibrant spaces that provide support not just for farms and small businesses, but for consumers and communities on a broad scale. Among their many benefits, farmers markets preserve rural livelihoods and farmland; stimulate local economies; increase access to fresh, nutritious food; support healthy communities; and promote sustainability. 

NCFMN serves as the connector between the people who make farmers markets run, and the essential resources they need to thrive. We provide market managers with opportunities to network, share best practices, create statewide resources, and develop market training tools. A critical part of supporting NC farmers markets is supporting farmers market managers and coordinators who ensure successful markets every single week. 

In addition, we work to increase accessibility to farmers markets by supporting markets currently providing nutrition assistance programs and grow the number of markets that accept SNAP/EBT - adopting SNAP nutrition incentive programs that double those benefits. We are seeking both private and grant-funding to specifically help continue our work.

Please consider supporting us in the work we do by making a tax-deductible donation. The North Carolina Farmers Market Network is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our EIN # is 35-2784548.  Your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Donors will receive a confirmation of receipt.