By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator
We are overjoyed to announce that there are now over 100 markets listed in our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs)!
In fact, the majority of states in the US now have markets listed in this highly selective roster!
We’re proud to promote qualified GEMs markets around the country – including these five recently-added listings that helped us surpass 100:
GreenStar Cooperative in Ithaca, NY
Crossroads Farmers Market in Takoma Park, MD
Lake Saint Louis Farmers & Artists Market in Wentzville, MO
Memphis Farmers Market in Memphis, TN
Schenectady Greenmarket in Schenectady, NY
If you’re new to the sparkling world of GEMs, let us introduce you: these are the farmers markets, coops, and independent grocers that have made a conscious effort to recognize and prefer the farmer vendors who verify their growing practices with a certification. In turn, Certified Naturally Grown qualifies, applauds, and rewards these markets that are building a better food system by encouraging ecological practices.
Find a listing of all the GEMs markets across the US and Canada here!
Our Guide has three tiers: Recognized, Preferred, and Required. Each tier offers exciting benefits for the markets that make the cut, including social media promotion, a free press release, a dedicated blog post, stacks of temporary tattoos, and more.
You’re invited to check out the full benefits package. We’re open and interested in other collaborations we can think up together!
Does your neighborhood market feature certified vendors?
If there’s at least one CNG farmer, let us know!
We would be delighted if it qualifies, and will happily add it to our GEMs listing.
Farmers, you’re especially invited to recommend your market for our GEMs guide! You’ll be making sure your market gets as much promotion as possible with the help of the marketing perks that come with being listed in GEMs.
Just click the button below to #PitchYourMarket!
Upcoming GEMs Webinars
Want to learn more about our Guide to Exceptional Markets? Wondering if your market is a good fit?
Register for an upcoming GEMs webinar lead by CNG’s Executive Director. The webinar will wrap up with a Q&A session.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
1pm Eastern / noon Central / 10am Pacific
Click here to register
If this time don’t work for you, register for future invitations here.
Top photo: Flowers from Whitton Farms at Memphis Farmers Market (L) and cabbage at Dodo Farms (top R) at Crossroads Farmers Market (bottom L) helped grow our GEMs guide to 100+ listings!