By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator
Crescent City Farmers Market, New Orleans, Louisiana
Farmers markets are a feast for the senses, and so much more. They stimulate local economies, preserve farmland, promote rural resilience, and increase fresh food access. And members of our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs) take it one step further by recognizing and preferring farms that verify their ecological practices.
We’re proud to recommend and promote a robust network of GEMs markets around the country – including the ones features here in Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. Find a listing of all the GEMs listed markets here.
These markets are so jazzed about CNG that they were inspired to send us photos of their new, colorful GEMs posters – just in time for National Farmers Market Week!
We would be delighted to add your neighborhood market to our roster. The perks are plenty! Just click the button below, and #PitchYourMarket.
Learn more about markets across the country that recognize and prefer CNG in our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs).
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market
Galveston, Texas
We love this market not only because they also give preference to produce and livestock farmers who are Certified Naturally Grown, but their Executive Director is none other than Casey McAuliffe of Moon Dog Farms, CNG since 2013. Her partner Alex McPhail is also Member-at-Large on the market’s Board of Directors. How do these “McFarmers” get it all done?! Those home-grown CNG veggies must give them lots of energy.
Crescent City Farmers Market
New Orleans, Louisiana
This network of markets boasts seven different locations in this food-focused city throughout the week! As a Tier 2 GEMs Market, they have a clearly stated and publicly visible policy that they prefer farms with certification, and CNG is one of the options, when selecting vendors. The CCFM hosts nearly 80 local small farmers, fishers and food producers annually.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy Green Market
Atlanta, Georgia
This Atlanta market was voted one of the top five farmers markets in the city by Access Atlanta, and we can certainly see why! The Piedmont Park Conservancy Green Market hosts 45 Georgia-based vendors, with around 15 farmers selling their harvest each week. Plus, the Green Market has chef demos, live music, canning workshops, tango classes, AND yoga classes! Farmer J of Patchwork City Farms is understandably excited to be part of this market, pictured here with the market’s sign promoting their GEMs listing.
Vickery Village Farmers Market
Cumming, Georgia
We love the Vickery Village Farmers Market just as much as they love us. Just look at that sign! Another Tier 2 market in Georgia, this market is only in its second season, but already making some big strides for local food. This market gives preference to CNG and organic farms, as well as those located within a tight 50 mile radius of Vickery Village and in Forsyth County. Nothing tastes as good as hyper-local food!
South Memphis Farmers Market
Memphis, Tennessee
This market is also home to The Grocer, a year-round neighborhood grocery store equipped with a full kitchen where free, nutritional cooking classes are offered throughout the year. What could be better than local produce paired with accessible culinary lessons?
Beebe Farmers’ Market
Beebe, Arkansas
Our ideal Friday evening kicks off with a spin to the farmers market to stock up for the weekend’s feasts. This market, also in its second year, takes place 4 – 7 PM on Thursday nights during the growing season. New this year is the Power of Produce (PoP) Kids Club, to empower children to make healthy choices. This photo shows a PoP participant showing off a picture frame craft he made at a recent market.