The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local farmers and helping to keep local farmland in production.  We organize seven "producer-only" farmers markets in the city of Seattle, where farmers direct-sell their produce to shoppers, earning the full dolar value of their farm products.  Our markets help more than 100 of our region's small, diverse farms stay in business.

Why farmers markets?

Farmers markets provide city dwellers with safe, family-friendly gathering places to go to for the freshest, local fruits and vegetables available. Shoppers have the opportunity to learn more about local foods, agriculture and related issues via direct relationships with the folks who farm in our state.  Buying direct from local farmers gives us the opportunity to enjoy food that is truly in season, to hone our sense of place and our connection to the landscape we live in.  Our markets also host fun, educational and community-building events including:

• cooking demos where master chefs give us inspiration for eating fresh, healthy, seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms

• produce sampling days

• publication of our quarterly newsletter, filled with information about local farmers, farm products, legislative issues and other topics of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about local food and farming

• live music

• information booths for Master Gardeners and other community-service organizations

• fun activities for kids such as the annual Zucchini 500

Help for low-income shoppers: 

Our seven markets are all certified to accept electronic food stamps as well as WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons.  Market farmers also donate leftover produce to neighborhood food banks around the city (in 2004, the NFMA received the Mayor's End Hunger Award in recognition of our work on behalf of the hungry in our communities).  In 2006, the NFMA markets collectively donated more than 44,000 pounds of fresh food to local food banks.