I am heading back from Boulder and Fort Collins, up there in Colorado. Was invited to present at the 2011 Colorado Farmers Market Association conference by Cindy Torres, one of my fellow Community Food Security Coalition board members.

Unfortunately, no nearby markets to see this time of year, but more “winter markets” (as they call them in Colorado) are coming all of the time. The conference was held at CSU in Fort Collins, lovely place.
Market managers, extension folks, graduate students, and organizers thinking about starting a new market all attended. I did a SNAP briefing using the FMC “Real Food, Real Choices” report and some other helpful information about Colorado SNAP supplied by Stacy Miller of Farmers Market Coalition a few days before.
The SNAP briefing and discussion was 2 hours long and very lively. I think about a half dozen markets attended, along with some new market organizers.
The next day the conference started in earnest. Loads of information was presented to the 70-80 people that attended. Very in-depth, useful information from state departments and county health folks, as well Colorado Ag (Market Maker) and an update on a regional assessment report.
I also presented in the afternoon about the 4M framework and measurement; I was followed by Manage My Markets’ Kathleen O’ Malley, who sparked a lot of interest in their back office product.
The state association is doing first-rate policy work on the state level as well as in many counties. Every agency spoke personally of their connection to Cindy and their deep trust in CFMA’s work. From evolving food handling guidelines for small-scaled vendors to beginning market and farmers programs, the expansion of SNAP and WIC voucher programs and their insurance program, all were discussed.
What is clear to me is the need in Colorado for this association to continue to grow their capacity to serve their members and to be present for the many challenges that are coming. I wish them great luck.
And thanks for the first-class lunch…