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 dollar 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

• 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 2009, the NFMA markets collectively donated more than 47,000 pounds of fresh food to local food banks.

Who can sell at our farmers markets:

Local farmers and food vendors only (no crafts, re-sellers, wholesalers) who directly sell to the public what they produce on their own land or in their own business.  We allocate about 75% of stall space to WA state farmers (including NW fishers, WA state ranchers, dairies, orchards, row crops, cut flowers, nursery stock) and about 25% to processed foods (jams, preserves, wine, pickles, breads, pasta, etc).  A very tiny amount of space in some markets is allocated for ready-to-eat foods.  Our intention is to support local family farms, and we prioritize food processors and vendors who use local farm ingredients.  Please see the Vendor pages for more information about our farmers and vendors, and our markets.