As you might know, the Cape Ann Farmers Market’s longtime director and tireless champion Niki Bogin stepped down at the end of 2019. We are eternally grateful to Niki for her vision, energy, leadership, and advocacy in our first 12 years.

We are pleased to welcome Courtney Ayer as our new Market Director!  After several years on the CAFM Advisory Committee, Courtney spearheaded the expansion of CAFM’s food access work. Courtney believes a thriving, accessible, viable farmers market is crucial to a healthy community.  

It’s an exciting time as we enter into a new decade with a new director. It is also time for CAFM to consider our path forward.

Over the past 12 years, the Cape Ann Farmers Market has:

•  Hosted a quarter of a million shoppers at over 300 weekly summer markets.

•  Supported 23 farms that are preserving 500 acres of our local farm land.

• Helped to launch over 200 micro businesses in Cape Ann. 

• Increased local food access for our most vulnerable populations by accepting SNAP/EBT, HIP, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Coupons.

Today, the food landscape is changing.

More eaters are concerned where their food comes from, creating wider demand for fresh, local food. In response to this demand, there are more sources for people to get the products they want. 

With the market’s help, our farmers have built successful summer and winter CSA programs, plant nurseries, and on-farm markets. Other vendors have established brick-and-mortar restaurants and shops across Cape Ann.

While we are thrilled by our vendors’ success, we are now faced with a challenge as they grow into larger businesses and are no longer motivated to participate in the market.Vendor fees used to cover half of our operating costs; they now cover less than 30%.

We need your help.

CAFM’s budget is very small and exceptionally tight, and the job of organizing markets, vendors, events, fundraising, community outreach, and so many other tasks is enormous.

We believe there continues to be a need for the Cape Ann Farmers Market, and we hope you agree. 

If you shop at the market, support our mission, or just believe that having a farmers market in our community is a valuable asset, we are asking you to step up to help keep us going! 

A tax-deductible contribution of ANY size will support our work to provide fresh, local, accessible food on Cape Ann. Join us today to keep this vibrant grassroots farmers market in our community.

With gratitude,

The Cape Ann Farmers Market

Donate on our website today!