Download Community Gardens Impacts on Local Businesses

Community Gardens Impacts on Local Businesses
Of the many benefits provided by community gardens and farmer’s markets, a boost to
the local economy is a substantial one. In communities with a local gardening chain overall
economic conditions is better than that of communities without gardens. What is more appealing
is the fact that money stays local. Jobs are also created with the presence of community gardens
and farmer markets. Not only do vendors see economic benefits but so do local businesses. Local
farmer’s markets produce excess wealth that stays in the community which is then spent in local
shops. With all these economic benefits, local people and businesses should be more invested in
the upkeep and maintenance of community gardens and farmer’s markets.
Community gardens and farmer market’s make great economic sense. A study of
American farmer’s markets, by the USDA found that, “85% of farmers markets are economically
self-sustaining.” This means a fully functioning market takes no money to sustain but in-fact
adds money to the local economy. A study done by the Michigan State University Extension
says, “In addition to direct sales, farmers markets produce economic spillover effects because
money circulates within the region.” What this means for businesses is that money made by the
local market will stay local and create an excessive of wealth that spills over to benefit local
stores and shops. Another study done by the Farmer’s Market Coalition found specifically that,
“In Iowa and Oklahoma, every dollar spent at farmers markets led to an additional $0.58 – $1.36
in sales at other nearby businesses.”
A large portion of the money that flows through a farmer’s market also stays in the region
and in the state. Another study done by the Farmer’s Market Coalition states, “For every $100
spent at a farmers market, $62 stays in the local economy, and $99 stays in state.” Money spent
at the local market, states in the local market. Other sources also support that claim. The website,
Project for Public Spaces, also states that an indirect benefit of farmer’s markets and community
gardens is to boost the local economy and aids in the development of healthy downtowns.
Statistics presented by Marketumbrell.org show how big an impact farmer’s markets can have on
an economy. They state, “the Hollywood Farmers Market, a flagship market that contributes a
whopping $56,360,000 to its community, every market brings “sticky” dollars to its area—that
is, dollars that are spent at the market and “stick” to the local economy, being re-spent locally
rather than being siphoned away to distant parent companies or other stakeholders”
Another effect of farmer’s markets is that it creates local jobs, both in the market itself
and outside of it due to the economic growth it produces. Another study by the Farmer’s Market
Coalition states, “Growers selling locally create 13 full time jobs per $1 million in revenue
earned. Those that do not sell locally create 3.” Jobs created in the community also create more
money being spent by locals. The claims are also supported by the USDA on their website.
Community gardens and Farmer’s markets make sense to invest in when it comes to
improving local economies. Local businesses in the Green Bay area would benefit immensely
from the improvement and upkeep of the local farmer’s market and would see an increase in
business and money. Investment would also mean potential growth for businesses since most of
the money spent would stay local and become a major economic boon.
Bibliography
Festing, H, 1998. Farmers’ Markets: An American Success Story, Bath, Ecologic books
This was found on a British website and is a British study of American farmer’s markets.
It shows the economic sense they make to a local economy.
"Farmers Markets Act as Gathering Space and Local Economic Engine." Michigan State
University Extension. January 15, 2013. Accessed February 11, 2016.
Http://msue.anr.msu.edu/
This article is from Michigan where it looks at the local benefits of farmers market and
the money it keeps in the community as opposed to leaving the community.
Kaufmann, Freddy. Farmer’s Market Coalition. 2013. Accessed February 11, 2016.
Farmersmarketcoalition.org
This article looks at more of the local benefits of farmer’s markets and includes specific
studies done on them around the US.
"Measuring the Impact of Public Markets and Farmers Markets on Local Economies." Project for
Public Spaces. 2015. Accessed February 11, 2016. http://www.pps.org/.
This article details the benefits of having farmer’s markets and community gardens with
the community and how they affect downtowns of cities.
"Farmers Markets Contribute Millions to Local, Regional Economies." Marketumbrell.org.
September 21, 2012. Accessed February 11, 2016. http://www.marketumbrella.org/.
This article helps reinforce the major economic benefits of farmer’s markets on local
economies by showing just how much money they can bring in.
Alonzo, Anne L. "Farmers Markets as Community Centerpieces." USDA. August 5, 2013.
Accessed February 11, 2016. http://blogs.usda.gov/.
This article is an affirmation of all the research done by the other sites. It doesn’t include specific
research but it does support every claim set forth by the other sites.