Support Farmers' Market Managers

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-1021

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Martinez, McCluskie, McCormick, Soper, Bacon, Barron, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, Duran, English, Espenoza, Flanell, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Goldstein, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Mauro, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Richardson, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Slaugh, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Suckla, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg, WinterT., Woodrow, Woog, Zokaie; also SENATOR(S) Marchman, Bridges, Roberts, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkrneyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson.

CONCERNING COLORADO.

SUPPORTING FARMERS'

MARKETS

IN

WHEREAS, Supporting the production and marketing of Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables is important for Colorado's economy and for a healthy local food supply; and WHEREAS, In 2024, there were more than 120 farmers' markets operating in the state, with thousands of small businesses participating during the market season, returning approximately $1.62 to local communities for every dollar spent; and WHEREAS, Colorado's farmers' markets provide the opportunity for direct sales of produce to consumers and are necessary for the survival and success of many farms and ranches that rely on farmers' markets to sell their crops, especially new or small producers that may not have access to large food markets; and

WHEREAS, Further, fam1ers' markets provide a market for Colorado produce varietals that are not available in large food markets, leading to a broader range of genetic diversification in the food system; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets also provide the ability for Coloradans who have limited access to food to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables by increasing the value of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through the "Double Up Food Bucks" program in which many farmers' markets participate; and WHEREAS, Managing a successful farmers' market requires significant time and talent, including knowledge of agricultural seasons, event planning and advertising, vendor requirements, local government permitting, food safety, emergency management planning, payment methods, site requirements and access, and many other concerns; and WHEREAS, Farmers' market managers are mostly volunteers; and . WHEREAS, In order to nurture viable and successful farmers' markets, for over 20 years, the nonprofit Colorado Farmers Market Association has provided support for many of the state's farmers' market managers, including holding annual training conferences to share best practices, liaising with farmers' markets and building connections among regional markets and producer networks, producing farmers' market vouchers for the "Double Up Food Bucks" program, and providing outreach to farmers' markets and producers about grant programs and other funding opportunities and other resources; and WHEREAS, Section 35-1-104 (l)(h.5), Colorado Revised Statutes, authorizes the Colorado Department of Agriculture to promote farmers' markets within the state, including support or development of farmers' market organizations, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Colorado Farmers Market Association, providing it with financial resources and other support, to build successful farmers' markets; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly ofthe State ofColorado, the Senate concurring herein:

That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly: ( 1) Continue to support an increase in Coloradans' access to locally sourced, healthy, and diverse fruits and vegetables across the state and sustain Colorado's local farming and ranching businesses, market vendors, and local communities by supporting the continued growth and viability of Colorado's farmers' markets; and (2) Urge the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Farmers Market Association to sustain and enhance the critical partnership between the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Farmers Market Association to provide the expertise and financial and other resources necessary to support new and existing farmers' market ·managers so that Colorado's farmers' markets are successful. Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to Kate Greenberg, the Commissioner of Agriculture; Rosalind May, Executive Officer of the Colorado Farmers Market Association; and Ben Rainbolt, ChiefExecutive Officer ofthe Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE