The North Tonawanda Farmers Market received $50,000 from the state for various infrastructure improvements.
There will be lighting, bathroom, and electric improvements, new signage, increased marketing efforts, and a vendor mini-grant program.
It was part of $1.12 million awarded to 25 farmers markets across the state as part of the Farmers Market Resiliency Grant Program, a marked increase of $870,000 in funding from the year before. In 2024, more than 400,000 farmers market transactions were made using SNAP benefits through the FreshConnect Program, resulting in $10 million in revenue for participating farmers.
“Our farmers’ markets are some of the greatest assets in getting healthy, fresh, New York-grown food directly into the communities that need them most,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul in the release announcing these awards.
The three other Western New York Farmers’ Markets that received funds include:
• Providence Farm Collective in Orchard Park received $50,000 for increasing community outreach, marketing, supporting new farm vendors, infrastructure improvements, and satellite locations
• The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission in Buffalo received $45,000 for hiring part-time market managers, improving infrastructure, launching a customer/vendor experience survey, tracking seasonal participation/attendance rates, and consulting with a community engagement professional
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown received $49,950 for creating a year-round marketing plan to extend the farmers’ market season, increasing off-season production, improving outreach, and improving green infrastructure with mobile planters.