The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) was formed in 2006 as a state-wide association to promote local food consumption in Michigan by connecting more farmers to consumers through farmers markets.  Michigan Food & Farming Systems – MIFFS received a $87,363 grant from Project for Public Spaces to work with key partners at Michigan State University to develop MIFMA.

In June 2006, Dru Montri was hired by MIFFS as project director of MIFMA to collaborate with partners and coordinate the efforts of building the association with an overall objective of aiding in the success of Michigan farmers markets.

In the past five years, the number of farmers markets in Michigan has skyrocketed, from around 90 in 2001 to more than 150 today.  However, many of these markets struggle to maintain effective management and funding as well as find quantities of fresh food necessary to meet consumer demand.

MIFMA was developed to promote farmers markets across the state and achieve visibility to both producers and consumers, aiding in farmers market management and education, and developing long-term, sustainable funding strategies.  Another key role of MIFMA is to collaborate with governmental agencies on policy to make regulations friendlier and more supportive of farmers markets.  Other initiatives assist communities in beginning new farmers markets or expanding existing ones and providing educational services and consulting to market managers, vendors and sponsors.

MIFMA also has monthly newsletters which you can view here, as well as press releases on events and successes.

For more information about MIFMA and how you can be involved, contact Dru Montri at dnmontri@msu.edu or (517) 432-3381.

This project is supported by a grant from Project for Public Spaces, Inc., with funding provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.