FM Manager (for & not-for-profit), Farms (Direct Mkting)

APPENDIX B1: FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER SURVEY: ENGLISH

ID Number: _____________

OMB Number: 0584-NEW

Expiration Date: XX/XX/20XX

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE AND FARMERS/FARMERS MARKETS STUDY

FARMERS MARKET MANAGER SURVEY

Please complete this survey if you manage a farmers market.

A Farmers Market is a common facility or area where several farmers or growers gather on a regular, recurring basis to sell a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown farm products directly to consumers.

ABOUT YOU

This section asks about your contact information and your role at this farmers market.

Contact information for person completing this survey

Name:

Address:

Telephone: (_______)

Email:

1. What is your role at this farmers market? Please check all that apply.

[_] Market manager

[_] Paid staff

[_] Volunteer staff

[_] Vendor

[_] Other (please specify) ____________________

2. How long have you worked at this farmers market? ______ years ________ months

3. What kind of work do you do at this market? Please check all that apply.

[_] Budgeting (for example, estimating costs and income)

[_] Bookkeeping

[_] Fundraising

[_] Applying for grants

[_] Managing volunteers and employees

[_] Recruiting vendors

[_] Organizing vendors

[_] Community outreach

[_] Market setup and dismantling

[_] Putting up signage

[_] Collecting fees from vendors

[_] Market safety

[_] Organizing special events

[_] Other responsibilities (please specify) _________________

SECTION A. ABOUT THIS FARMERS MARKET

This section includes questions about the general characteristics of this farmers market.

1. In what year did this farmers market start operating? ___________

2. Is this farmers market independently operated, operated in partnership with another organization, or operated by another organization?

Independently operated GO TO QUESTION A4

Operated in partnership with another organization (please fill in the name below)

__________________________________________

Operated by another organization (please fill in the name below)

____________________________________________

3. How many farmers markets does the organization/partnership operate? _______

4. In the table below, please indicate for each month, the days and average number of hours the market was open from October 2010 to September 2011. Draw a line through the days the market did not operate.

The first two rows show an example of how to fill in this table. In this example, a line was marked for all days in April, when the market did not operate. In May, the market was open on Fridays from 9 AM to 12 PM (3 hours), and on Saturday and Sunday from 8AM to 12 PM (4 hours on each day).

	AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS THE MARKET WAS OPEN OCTOBER 2010 TO SEPTEMBER 2011
	MONDAYS	TUESDAYS	WEDNEDAYS	THURSDAYS	FRIDAYS	SATURDAYS	SUNDAYS
April
May					3	4	4
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011

5. Between October 2010 and September 2011, did this farmers market sell each of the following products always, sometimes, or never ?

Product	How often sold at this market between October 2010 and September 2011?
	Always	Sometimes	Never
Fruits			
Vegetables			
Milk			
Cheese			
Other dairy products			
Fish or Seafood			
Meat or Poultry			
Breads or rolls			
Other baked goods			
Juice or cider			
Prepared foods			
Non-food items (plants, crafts, etc.)			

6. Between October 2010 and September 2011, what was the minimum number of vendors who participated in this farmers market on any given day? _______

7. Between October 2010 and September 2011, what was the maximum number of vendors who participated in this farmers market on any given day? ________

8. Which of the following rules were in force at this farmers market between October 2010 and September 2011? Please check all that apply.

Agricultural producers are only allowed to sell farm products they themselves produce

Farm inspections are used to verify the source of products sold

Producers can sell farm products produced only within a prescribed local area

Producers are required to report their value of sales

Product mix at this market is controlled by limiting the number of producers/vendors that sell the same item(s)

The range of items that can be sold at this market is limited (e.g., sales of meat, eggs, fish/seafood are prohibited)

Certain growing practices are required (e.g., certified organic, conventional grower)

9. What were this farmers market’s total sales between October 2010 and September 2011? Please round the amount to the nearest whole number. Total sales: $ ___________

10. What was this farmers market’s total operating budget between October 2010 and September 2011? $ __________

11. Between October 2010 and September 2011, which of the following sources provided funding for any portion of this farmers market’s operating budget? Please check all that apply.

Vendor fees

State government

County, city or municipal government agency

Farmers market association

Government Grants

Private Foundation Grants

Fundraising events

Sponsorships from businesses/organizations

Trade or business association (e.g. Chamber of Commerce)

Other (please specify): ___________________________________________________

Did not receive operating budget funding from any outside sources

12. Between October 2010 and September 2011, did vendors pay a flat fee or did they pay a percentage of total sales?

Flat fee (please specify fee)____________

Was the flat fee (please check only one) …

Per season

Per month

Per week

Per market day

Percentage of sales (please specify percentage) _________%

Other (please specify) ____________________ ______________________

Vendors did not pay to participate in this farmers market

13. Does this farmers market have a credit/debit card processing machine?

Yes

No

14. Did food sales make up at least 50 percent of this market’s revenue between October 2010 and September 2011?

Yes

No

Don’t know

SECTION B. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

This section asks questions about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program. SNAP gives low-income families a monthly benefit amount (SNAP allotment) to buy food that can be prepared and eaten at home. SNAP benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card can be used like a regular debit or credit card at authorized retailers with EBT terminals.

1. Did you know that farmers markets can participate in SNAP?

Yes

No GO TO SECTION C

2. Have you visited the website of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) or have you seen the handbook about SNAP in farmers markets (SNAP at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook)?

Yes

No

3. Has this farmers market ever been authorized to participate in SNAP?

Yes

No  GO TO QUESTION B7

4. Was this farmers market authorized to participate in SNAP anytime during the last 5 years (October 2006 to September 2011)?

Yes  GO TO QUESTION B5

No  GO TO QUESTION B4a

B4a. What is the main reason this farmers market stopped participating in SNAP?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ GO TO QUESTION B7

5. Was this farmers market authorized to participate in SNAP anytime during the last 12 months (October. 2010 to September 2011)?

Yes GO TO QUESTION B5b

No GO TO QUESTION B5a

B5a. What is the main reason this farmers market stopped participating in SNAP?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B5b. Which of the following best describes this farmers market’s SNAP authorization between October 2010 and September 2011? Please check all that apply.

Farmers market was SNAP authorized

Individual vendors or producers were SNAP authorized

Neither the farmers market nor individual vendors were SNAP authorized

Other (please specify)________________________________

6. Between October 2010 and September 2011, were SNAP benefits redeemed at this farmers market?

Yes  GO TO QUESTION B7

No  GO TO QUESTION B6a

B6a. What is the main reason SNAP benefits were not redeemed at this farmers market between October 2010 and September 2011? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Between October 2010 and September 2011, how many food vendors accepted SNAP at this farmers market?

All Go To QUESTION B8

Most

A few

None

B7a. What is the main reason SNAP benefits were not accepted? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Who decides if this farmers market will participate in SNAP? Please check all that apply.

State or local government

Umbrella organization

Board

Third party organization

Self

Vendors

Other (please specify)________

Don’t know

9. How do vendors learn about this farmers market’s participation in SNAP? Please check all that apply.

Informally, through conversations with individual vendors

Official meetings

Memos

Printed materials about SNAP program

Other (please specify): ___________________________________

10. How do customers learn about this farmers market’s participation in SNAP? Please check all that apply.

Printed materials (for example, direct mail, flyers or brochures)

Billboards or banners

Workshops, discussions, or presentations at schools or other community events

Mass media (for example, newspapers, radio, or TV advertising)

Internet (for example, listservs, websites, blogs, social media such as Facebook or Twitter)

Other (please specify)_____________________________________________

None of the above GO TO QUESTION B12

11. Who is responsible for conducting and paying for the marketing/outreach activities selected in B10? Please check all that apply

Farmers market

Vendors

Local, state, or federal government agencies

Foundations

Nonprofit organizations (please specify) ___________________________

Other (please specify): _________________________________________

12. Between October 2010 and September 2011, how did this farmers market redeem SNAP payments? Please check all that apply.

EBT (customer swipes the EBT card at a machine to pay for their purchase.)

EBT Offline Voucher

Tokens

Paper scrip

Receipts

Other (please specify) _____________________

13. In your opinion, what are the benefits for this farmers market of accepting SNAP? Please check all that apply.

A. Increases sales for producers

B. Increases different types of customers

C. Responds to customer interest

D. Responds to vendor interest

E. Responds to interest from other organizations

F. Supports local economy

G. Promotes access to healthy food in the community

H. Improves the market’s public image

I. Other (please specify)____________

IF YOU CHECKED ONLY ONE ANSWER IN QUESTION B13, PLEASE GO TO QUESTION B14.

B13a. Of the answers you choose in B13, which one was the strongest motivator for this farmers market to accept SNAP? Please write in the letter from B13: _______

14. What do you think makes it hard for this farmers market to accept SNAP? Please check all that apply.

A. Too many requirements to become SNAP authorized

B. SNAP application process is difficult

C. Having to provide personal information on SNAP application

D. Costs associated with start-up

E. Ongoing transaction fee costs associated with EBT

F. Staffing needs for at-market operation of EBT

G. Additional bookkeeping and “back office” costs

H. Vendors do not want to participate in SNAP

I. Not enough SNAP customers

J. Hard to get information about these programs from the appropriate agencies

K. Other (please specify)_________________

IF YOU CHECKED ONLY ONE ANSWER IN QUESTION B14, PLEASE GO TO SECTION C.

B14a. Of the answers you choose in B14, which makes it the hardest for this farmers market to participate in SNAP? Please write in the letter from B13: _______

B15. Is there anything else you can tell us about how SNAP works for your Farmers Market? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION C. NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OTHER THAN SNAP

This section asks about nutrition assistance programs other than SNAP. The USDA also offers the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WICFMNP); and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

1. Did you know that farmers markets can participate in other nutrition assistance programs besides SNAP?

Yes

No  GO TO SECTION D

2. Between October 2010 and September 2011, which of the following USDA nutrition assistance programs did this farmers market participate in? Please check all that apply.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WICFMNP)

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Did not participate in any USDA nutrition assistance programs

SECTION D. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR USDA NUTRITION ASSISTANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM CUSTOMERS

Some farmers markets offer incentives for their USDA nutrition assistance program customers to shop there. These incentives are in the form of vouchers that can be used to buy food items from farmers market vendors. The vouchers are usually paid for by local government agencies, foundations, or nonprofit organizations. Please tell us about the incentives that this farmers market offers.

1. Between October 2010 and September 2011, did this farmers market offer any financial incentives (for example, coupons like Double Dollars, Double Up Food Bucks, Double Value Coupon Program) or other nonfinancial incentives (for example, magnets or other tokens) to USDA nutrition assistance program customers?

Offered financial incentives

Offered non-financial incentives

Offered both, financial and non-financial incentives

Incentives were not offered GO TO SECTION E

D1a. Please describe or provide the name of the incentives offered by this farmers market to USDA nutrition assistance program customers. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do the incentives offered at this market have a specific start and end date, or are they available on an ongoing basis throughout the season?

Available for a limited time only (specific start and end date)

Available on an ongoing basis, provided funding is available

Both time limited and ongoing

3. Organizations such as foundations or government entities can provide funding, equipment, or other types of support for USDA nutrition assistance incentive programs. How many organizations provided any kind of support for the incentives this farmers market offered between October 2010 and September 2011?

# of organizations _____________  IF “ZERO” GO TO QUESTION D5

4. Please list the top three organizations that helped to support the incentives this famers market offered to USDA nutrition assistance program customers between October 2010 and September 2011.

Name: __________________________________________________

Type: Foundation Government Agency Other (please specify)____________

Name: __________________________________________________

Type: Foundation Government Agency Other (please specify)____________

Name: __________________________________________________

Type: Foundation Government Agency Other (please specify)____________

5. What things does this market measure to know if the incentives are successful? Please check all that apply.

Dollar amount of EBT/FMNP redemptions

Number of EBT/FMNP transactions

Number of repeat EBT/FMNP shoppers

Number of first time EBT/FMNP shoppers

Ratio of tokens/scrip disseminated vs. tokens/scrip spent

EBT/SNAP customer testimonials or interviews

None

Other (please specify) ___________________________________

SECTION E. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT

This next section is about the community outreach this farmers market does. It also asks about sources of support for this farmers market.

1. Does this farmers market conduct any community outreach activities?

Yes

No GO TO QUESTION E4

2. Between October 2010 and September 2011, what community activities did this farmers market or its sponsoring organization conduct? Please check all that apply.

Nutrition education at schools or other community locations

Food donations (for example, homeless shelters, gleaning programs)

Community gardening and agricultural education

Healthy cooking demonstrations at the farmers market

Education and training for farmers/food producers

Other (please specify) _______________________________________

3. Between October 2010 and September 2011, how did this farmers market get information out to the community?

Printed materials (for example, flyers or brochures)

Billboards

Workshops, demonstrations, discussions, or presentations at schools or other community locations besides the farmers market

Workshops, demonstrations, discussions, or presentation at the farmers market

Mass media (for example, newspapers, radio, or T.V advertisements)

Web (for example, listservs, e-mail newsletters, Web sites, blogs, social media such as Facebook or Twitter)

Other (please specify) __________________

4. Many community, state, and national organizations provide different kinds of support for farmers markets. The questions in the table below ask for the name and information about five organizations that have provided this market with the most meaningful support between October 2010 and September 2011. An example has been provided for you.

This farmers market did not receive any support  Go to Section F

	EXAMPLE
	What is the name of the organization that provided meaningful support?	What type of organization is it? Please check only one.	Did the organization provide financial support?	What kinds of non-financial support were provided?	How did the organization provide non-financial support? Check all that apply.
1	Springdale Chamber of Commerce	[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [X] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional network or organization [_] State organization [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) __________________	[X] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[X]Information [X] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_] Training [X]Publications [X] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify)_______ [_]The organization did not provide non-financial support

	What is the name of the organization that provided meaningful support?	What type of organization is it? Please check only one.	Did the organization provide financial support?	What kind of non-financial support was provided?	How did the organization provide non-financial support? Check all that apply.
1		[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [_] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional trade association [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________	[_] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[_]Information [_] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_] Training [_]Publications [_] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_]The organization did not provide non-financial support
2		[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [_] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional trade association [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________	[_] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[_]Information [_] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_] Training [_]Publications [_] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support
3		[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [_] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional trade association [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________	[_] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[_]Information [_] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_] Training [_]Publications [_] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support
4		[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [_] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional trade association [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________	[_] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[_]Information [_] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_]Publications [_] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support
5		[_] City government [_] State government [_] Federal government [_] Local foundation [_] Regional foundation [_] National foundation [_] Regional trade association [_] National trade association [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________	[_] Yes, the organization provided financial support [_]No, the organization did not provide financial support	[_]Information [_] Logistical/ Technical Assistance [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support	[_] E-mail/listservs [_] Telephone [_] In-person [_] Training [_]Publications [_] Web site [_] Online forums [_] Other (please specify) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ [_] The organization did not provide non-financial support

SECTION F. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA WHERE THE FARMERS MARKET IS LOCATED

Please think about the area around the farmers market when answering the questions in this section.

1. What kind of buildings or property are within a half mile radius of this farmers market used? Please check all that apply.

Residential buildings or yards

Commercial or industrial buildings

Schools

Parking lots or garages

Undeveloped land or vacant lots

Designated green space or parks

Other, specify _______________________________________

2. What other kinds of stores sell food within a half mile radius of this farmers market? Please check all that apply.

Fast-food restaurants

Cafés or coffee shops

Non fast-food restaurants

Large grocery stores

Small corner stores or convenience stores

Liquor stores, bars, taverns, or nightclubs

Other, specify _______________________________________

3. What types of public transportation are available near this farmers market? Please check all that apply.

Bus

Light rail or subway

Senior transit

None

4. What kind of parking is there within a half mile radius of this farmers market? Please check all that apply.

On-street, parallel or angled parking

Small lot or garage (fewer than 30 spaces)

Medium to large lot or garage

None

5. Which of the following amenities are present at this farmers market? Please check all that apply.

Areas shaded by trees or canopies

Trash cans

Benches or other places to sit

Bicycle racks

Working drinking fountains

Working public telephones

Public restrooms

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