U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Increasing diversity at farmers markets

Although there are many Hispanic farmers selling produce at markets, Hispanic customers are under-represented. With a grant from the US Department of Agriculture to increase the diversity of customers at Farmers Markets nationwide, Pinyon Foundation contacted local farmers markets associations and recorded Spanish-language interviews with Hispanic farmers explaining the benefits of organic produce, buying locally and the discounts and incentives offered to low income shoppers including ones who use SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC.

The interviews were broadcast nationwide by the Hispanic Communications Network on over 100 stations covering 90% of the US Hispanic population.

Also, Spanish speakers were able to locate nearby farmers’ markets and see profiles of Hispanic farmers online at www.laredhispana.org