Access to local foods improves communities, by providing healthier food options and lowering environmental impacts from long distance transportation of food products. In addition, farmers that grow this produce rely on the income from sales to support their families. Farmers’ markets act as an outlet for local farmers to sell their crops while maintaining larger profit margins, when compared with selling produce to box stores or local groceries. However, in order for a market to be successful it needs for its goods to be accessible to the public. In 2021, the Franklin County Farmers’ Market implemented a number of delivery, pick-up, and in-person shopping options as a way to increase the sales of products, directly benefiting local producers. Additionally, the Franklin County Farmers’ Market extended the impact of their operations to directly benefit the community by providing local food access to limited income residents, pregnant moms, and children through assistance programs. Extension has supported both of these efforts through an advisory role on the market board, and by hosting an informational booth staffed by volunteers during the in-person market days.

In 2021 the Franklin County Farmers’ Market hosted 63 in-person market days. In order to allow customers access to market products, produce could be purchased online and then picked up during the Saturday market day. In addition, the market also hosted 32 curbside pick-up markets, which included weekly deliveries to eight workplaces. The Franklin County Farmers’ Market also sold eight South Frankfort Food Shares during 2021.[LAJ1]  Through the diverse purchasing options that the market provides, total sales increased 26% from 2020, resulting in total sales of $548,700, directly benefiting the over 50 local producers that sell products at the market.

Additionally, the Franklin County Farmers’ Market extended access to locally produced foods to a number of limited income residents, pregnant moms, and children through assistance programs. A total of 13 local businesses and 150 individuals donated over $15,500 to support these assistance programs. These funds were used to host event such as Kids Days, which provided activities and monetary tokens for kids to participate in the market. In 2021, more than 1,000 children visited the Market Kids Days. The Franklin County Farmers’ Market also provides SNAP, WIC, Senior FMNP, Double $$, Food Pantry, and Fresh Rx purchase options increasing access to locally produced products for limited income residents. In 2021 market purchases through these programs totaled $65,000 and recorded a 56% increase of program redemption. In addition the new CFA Fresh Rx program helped pregnant moms purchase $1,434 of produce.