Bumper Crop
2020 Partnership Report
Many things were difficult in 2020, but it was still a great year to shop at the farmers’ market! Almost 400 participants from three employers took part in MFFM’s Bumper Crop program. With their participation, over $10k in vouchers were redeemed (spent with farmers) at 10 farmers’ markets.
2020 Bumper Crop Partners
City of Lewiston
City of Bangor
Maine Health (Midcoast)
IMPACT
Increased Profit for Markets
An $24 average additional cash spent by each shopper during their market visit
First Time Market Shoppers
1 in 3 employees with vouchers were first time shoppers at the market
Eating More Produce
60% of participants said that Bumper Crop led them to eat more fruits and veggies
More Market Goers
60% of participants said that the vouchers led them to shop more often at their market
Community Building
1 in 5 shoppers brought friends who spent their own cash
“I bought more healthy items than I would normally buy. Also, Bumper Crop really helped out with the cost of groceries!”
Your Participation Matters
In 2020, every employee who participated in this program meant approximately $155 in additional sales for the farmers at market.
Even with only three employers and 300 employees participating, we estimate farmers saw more than $50,000 in additional sales thanks solely to Bumper Crop.
Maine farmers’ markets have an average of sixteen vendors per market. Your company/organization’s participation will mean supporting hundreds of local farmers and small businesses in your community.
“We were more inclined to get fruit and veggies from the farmers’ market than the grocery store. It makes a difference seeing the farmers there and learning about a fruit or veggie we’ve never seen before.“
Our First Partner:
The City of Bangor
In spring of 2019, MFFM was approached by the City of Bangor’s Wellness Committee to develop a program that gives their 500+ employees an incentive to buy healthy food from the local farmers’ markets.
Funds were granted by Cigna, the employer’s health insurer. The program was a big success! Almost half of the participants had never shopped at a farmers’ market before, and many of them liked it so much they returned on their own throughout the season, making healthy food choices while increasing profits for local farmers.
Want to Join?
Email MFFM’s Executive Director, Jimmy DeBiasi, at [email protected] with any questions about our program.
Bumper Crop is a program of the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets. MFFM is grateful to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for serving as a collaborating partner on this program.
Bumper Crop is a program of the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets. MFFM is grateful to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for serving as a collaborating partner on this program.