In 2009 six visionary women created a local food system – the Forsyth Farmers’ Market (FFM).
They joined forces with the existing Starland market, gained city approval to operate in historic Forsyth Park, and held their first market 15 years ago on May 9th, 2009. FFM’s mission revolves around offering Savannah’s diverse community an inclusive space for buying local food and addressing food accessibility challenges.
Despite initial hurdles, Forsyth Park was chosen as the market’s main location due to its appeal and central location. Committed to promoting food access, FFM is a producer-only market that mandates vendors to produce at least 75% of what they sell, limiting offerings to food and plants only. To enhance food access further, FFM implemented a pioneering token system allowing SNAP recipients to buy market items.
Being among the nation’s first independent farmers’ markets to introduce this initiative, FFM partners with Wholesome Wave Georgia to double SNAP purchases. Their dedicated efforts have consistently led FFM to rank second in SNAP sales at farmers’ markets statewide year after year!
Visionaries recognized the limitations of a once-a-week, four-hour farmers’ market with poor accessibility.
In response, they pioneered a mobile market – Farm Truck 912. Thanks to grants from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and USDA, this initiative expanded, providing essential food access to Savannah’s communities. Further funding from CDC REACH in partnership with YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah led to an extensive network of 14 weekly stops by the end of 2018.
In partnership with a truck, Forsyth Farmers’ Market offers nutrition programming led by educators who provide cooking classes, food samples, demonstrations, recipe cards, and community nutrition education. Currently, they collaborate with Oldways to host “A Taste of African Heritage” cooking classes in Savannah.
In 2019, FFM received funding from the USDA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to launch a ‘produce prescription program.’
This $455,000 grant enables partnerships with Memorial Health Children’s Hospital, Chatham County Health Department, St. Joseph’s/Candler’s St. Mary’s Health Center, and J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center for the 912 Food Farmacy initiative. This program supports low-income individuals at risk for diet-related diseases. It offers nutrition education, improved access to local fresh foods, and financial incentives for purchasing healthy items.
In addition to these programs, the Forsyth Farmers’ Market also hosts various community events and workshops throughout the year. These include educational sessions on gardening, composting, and sustainable living practices.
The Market thrives with the help of dedicated volunteers, local businesses, non-profits, and individuals. Together, they generously contribute their time and skills to foster a fair local food system in Savannah. For more information about visiting the Forsyth Farmers’ Market GO HERE.
Source: www.forsythfarmersmarket.com.
The post Forsyth Farmers’ Market’s: Impacts and History appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.