From  Farmers' Market Canada newsletter - Fresh off the Press January 2009:
The combined national economic impact of farmers’ markets in Canada is estimated in a range between $2 billion and $3 billion.
This information, among other facts, is one of the highlights of the results from the National Farmers’ Markets Impact Study – Farmers’ Markets Canada’s first major project – which will be released at the FMC conference in February.
The study was conducted in 2008 by Experience Renewal Solutions Inc. on behalf of FMC to assess trends and highlight opportunities for growth in the farmers’ market industry.
The survey also studied the immense economic impact of farmers’ markets in Canada. Among the findings to be revealed at the conference include profiles of average market shoppers and how those shoppers spend their money.
The study also found that:
• Farmers’ markets remain strong contributors both to the economy and to the fabric of Canadian communities.
• Farmers’ markets continue to show growth on an annual basis.
• Farmers’ markets play a key role in the marketing of Canadian agricultural products; they play a significant role in generating farm incomes.
• Strong growth opportunities in this sector focus on more aggressive marketing and promotion of markets; on encouraging additional vendors and vendor capabilities; on improved access to labour; and on the development of
more and improved facilities.
• The need for a National Association is recognized, in order to focus on and represent growth opportunities and to provide strong support for farmers’ market stakeholders.

For more information on Farmers' Markets Canada go to: www.famersmarketscanada.ca

SGGA ha joined the newly formed Farmers' Market Canada organization.

Farmers’ Markets Go National!
FMC has been created to help connect Canadian consumers to their local farmers and to address the needs of farmers’ markets across the country. With the appointment of an interim executive director, the newly formed Farmers’ Markets Canada / Les Marchés agricoles Canada will act as the voice of Canadian farmers’ markets as the industry grows in response to consumer demand.
The mission of FMC is to promote farmers’ markets and develop national initiatives and partnerships to further the viability, growth and prosperity of the Canadian farmers’ market industry.
FMC will work with provincial and territorial farmers’ markets organizations to foster the development of farmers’ markets, encourage information sharing and
networking and recommend legislation, regulations, strategies, policies,
programs and standards for farmers’ markets.