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!

Dear Cape Ann Farmers Market Friends,

Started in 2006 by a group of volunteers who wanted to purchase and enjoy local food while making it accessible to the whole community, the Cape Ann Farmers Market (CAFM) is about to conclude its 14t​h​ season.

Since our beginning, numerous local farmers and small food businesses have gotten their start at CAFM. Many have moved-on to open brick-and-mortar storefronts and regional distribution networks.

CAFM is truly an example of what it means to generate ‘home grown’ local success stories.

I was one of the early volunteers back in 2006 who envisioned a thriving community gathering space where farmers and food producers would connect directly with the residents of Cape Ann. I was also one of the people who hired Farmers Market Director, Niki Bogin.

At the end of 2019, Niki will be stepping down after 12 years leading the market and making it what it is today: a Gloucester institution.​ During her tenure Niki has attracted more than 20 farmers, helping to preserve over 700 acres of local farmland, and attracted ​over 100 ​food producers and micro businesses to sell at the Cape Ann Farmers Market.

When CAFM began, not one participating farm was physically located on Cape Ann. Since 2007 ​more than 1⁄2 of CAFM’s farmers have been local, ​using the Market as a platform to get established and/or expand. Furthermore, Cape Ann Farmers Market has partnered with/or hosted over 50 local non-profits to help them publicize their efforts. Backyard Growers, Art Haven’s Teen Artist Guild, and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance’s Cape Ann Fresh Catch and Seafood Throwdown all got their start through CAFM.

Niki is excited to pass the baton to the next Farmers Market Director, Courtney Ayer, who will assume the director role effective January 1, 2020. Courtney and CAFM’s volunteer leadership team are eager to build on Niki’s success and take CAFM into the future.

In celebration of the Cape Ann Farmers Market and how aptly Niki has grown this Gloucester institution, ​please join me in renewing your membership today​!

Not only will your membership help CAFM to end 2019 on strong financial footing, but membership entitles you to great savings all year long on delicious foods and products around town. Please use the following link to review the benefits of membership and pay online. ​Please seriously consider membership at the $50 or $100 level.

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

I know you’ll agree with me in saying that the Cape Ann community, local farmers, and small food businesses are all better off because of Niki Bogin’s tireless dedication. Thank you, Niki! And thank ​YOU​ for standing with me as an enthusiastic fan of the Cape Ann Farmers Market: now and heading into the next decade of our success.

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Dimond, cofounder of CAFM and CAFM Advisory Committee member

**Holiday Special**
Get your $50  membership before the end of 2019 and get a bonus $5 to spend on anything at CAFM!

Click the link below to get your membership today and help keep CAFM strong. Membership perks at local Cape Ann businesses and restaurants make it easy to make back your investment – and they make a great holiday gift!

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

Our annual Harvest Market is THIS SATURDAY!!

We’ve got some of the best local farmers (and food) on Cape Ann coming with their season’s harvest! Grab a delicious slice of pizza while you shop (or a slice of desert from one of the best bakers in town), get everything you need for your special holiday meals, and maybe pick up a gift for your host! 

We’ve got some of your favorite vendors from the summer season, plus some special guests – both newcomers and CAFM veterans alike!

Check out our full vendor list here!

https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?e=%5BUNIQID%5D&u=e86e51b6d3ebe391fb0a5306e&id=35741d3365