Mass Farmers Markets

What Mass Farmers Markets does

Mass Farmers Markets (MFM) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit founded in 1978 as a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, UMass Amherst Extension Service, and pioneering state farmers. The organization operates two distinct but complementary functions: (1) directly managing five weekly farmers markets in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville (Central Square, Copley Square, Davis Square, Kendall Square, and Fish & Farm at Boston Fish Pier), and (2) serving as the statewide support organization for over 200 member farmers markets across Massachusetts.

The core product portfolio includes the five managed markets, the Marketspread interactive mapping platform for locating markets statewide, and nutrition assistance administration for SNAP Match (doubling SNAP benefits up to $15 weekly), HIP (Healthy Incentives Program returning $20-$80 monthly to EBT cards), and FMNP coupons for seniors and WIC families (~$700K administered annually across ~450 farms). Adjacent programs include the Mass MarketCubes modular winter market rental structures, a SNAP-subsidized CSA-style Market Box at Kendall Square, the BIPOC Incubator Initiative for underrepresented farmers, a POP Club children's nutrition program, and liability insurance coverage ($410-$600 plans) for member markets.

Revenue derives from a hybrid non-profit model: foundation and government grants (Cambridge Community Foundation $150K/3yr, MDAR, Cummings, Farm Credit East, BCBS), annual membership fees ($120/year), liability insurance premiums, MarketCube rentals ($500-$1,225 per season), and fiscal intermediary fees for state nutrition programs. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer retail at the five managed markets with B2B services (liability coverage, training, grant access) to member market operators statewide. Distribution is anchored by 10 social media properties (one master plus five market Facebook and five Instagram accounts) and a 5,000+ subscriber newsletter. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Ed Eglitis and operates with 51-100 employees under Executive Director Edith Murnane.

Name

Mass Farmers Markets

Legal name

Mass Farmers Markets

Website

https://massfarmersmarkets.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mass Farmers Markets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1978 that operates five weekly farmers markets in Greater Boston and supports over 200 member markets statewide through liability insurance, nutrition program administration, and BIPOC vendor incubation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farmers Market Operations

NAICS

Fruit and Vegetable Retailers (44523), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480)

SIC

Retail-Grocery Stores (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Bulk Produce & Farm-Direct Wholesale Markets (CRAHAMAJ)

Keywords

• Farmers market operations
• Local food distribution
• SNAP nutrition programs
• Agricultural market support
• Food access services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: Primary revenue from grants including MDAR programs ($100,000 available), Cambridge Community Foundation ($150,000 three-year grant at $25,000 annually), and other foundation funders like Cummings Foundation
2. Market Membership Fees: Annual membership runs January 1 - December 31 at $120 per year, providing access to discounts, support services, and liability coverage eligibility
3. Liability Insurance Coverage: Seasonal Liability Plan at $410 (single season, one location) and Annual Liability Plan at $600 (summer and winter markets). Additional fees for additional insureds ($53), change of address ($50), and expedited processing ($25)
4. MarketCube Rentals: Six-month seasonal rental of modular market structures: 6'x8' Cube at $500 (members) / $850 (non-members), 6'x12' Cube at $750 (members) / $1,225 (non-members)
5. FMNP Coupon Administration: Acts as fiscal intermediary bank for Farmers Market Nutrition Program; verifies and reimburses farmers for approximately $700,000 in FMNP coupons annually

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mass Farmers Markets operates five weekly farmers markets in Greater Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville (Central Square, Copley Square, Davis Square, Kendall Square, and Fish & Farm at Boston Fish Pier), aggregating local farmers, food producers, and artisans who sell directly to consumers. The organization also supports 200+ member farmers markets statewide through membership services, affordable liability insurance coverage, training, and operational consulting. Additional offerings include nutrition incentive programs (SNAP Match, HIP, FMNP administration reimbursing approximately $700,000 annually), Mass MarketCubes modular structures for winter markets, the BIPOC Incubator Initiative for underrepresented vendors, and the Marketspread interactive market-finder platform.

Product overview

Mass Farmers Markets operates five weekly farmers markets across Greater Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, serving as the primary provider of fresh, local produce and food access in the region. The core offering consists of managed markets featuring local farmers and food producers, supported by nutritional incentive programs including SNAP Match and HIP that double SNAP benefits for produce purchases. The organization offers a membership program providing liability coverage, training resources, and promotional support to market managers statewide. Additional programs include Mass MarketCubes modular structures for winter markets, SNAP-subsidized market boxes, loyalty cards, POP Club for children, and the BIPOC Incubator Initiative supporting underrepresented vendors. An interactive market finder powered by Marketspread helps shoppers locate markets across Massachusetts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Managed Farmers Markets (Central Square, Copley Square, Davis Square, Kendall Square, Fish & Farm)
• SNAP Match Program
• Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
• Member Market Program
• Mass MarketCubes
• Kendall Square SNAP-Subsidized Market Box
• Liability Insurance Coverage
• Gift Certificates
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Coupon Administration
• BIPOC Incubator Initiative
• Fish & Farm Market at Boston Fish Pier

Quantifiable outcome

• MFM reimbursed approximately $700,000 of FMNP coupons in 2022 through state program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for Farmers Market Sustainability Grant Program ($100,000 available), FMNP administration, and statewide farmers market promotion and advocacy
• MassPortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch Fish & Farm Market at Boston Fish Pier, providing prime waterfront location for weekly farmers market starting June 2024
• City of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partner for Copley Square Farmers Market operations and food access initiatives including SNAP Match funding
• City of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partner for Central Square and Kendall Square Markets, collaborating on food access programs and BIPOC Incubator Initiative
• City of SomervillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partner for Davis Square Market with SNAP Match funding through Somerville Farmers Market Coalition
• Central Square BIDcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness Improvement District partner supporting Central Square Farmers Market location and promotion
• Boston Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for outreach and food access programming
• Cambridge Health AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner for community health and food access initiatives
• Cambridge Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for outreach and programming
• Fairmont Copley PlazaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partner for Apple Harvest Experience events and community engagement
• Old South ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for market events and programming
• Place PracticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Mass MarketCubes modular winter market structures for expanding winter market capacity statewide
• The TrusteesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner for farmland preservation and agricultural programming
• Project BreadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Walk for Hunger partnership where MFM participates as team; 60% of MFM-raised funds support MFM initiatives, 40% support Project Bread statewide programs
• Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency administering SNAP, HIP, and Summer EBT programs with MFM as market partner for benefit distribution

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Greenmarket: Greenmarket, operated by GrowNYC, runs a network of farmers markets across New York City with comparable direct-to-consumer farm sales, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and nutrition incentive programming. It is the closest functional peer to MFM in scale, mission, and operating model within a different urban geography.
• FRESHFARM: FRESHFARM operates a network of producers-only farmers markets in the Washington DC metro area with SNAP/EBT processing, nutrition incentive matching, and a wholesale food hub. It mirrors MFM's combination of retail market operation and food access mission in a different regional market.
• Wholesome Wave: Wholesome Wave is a national non-profit focused on doubling SNAP benefits at farmers markets and has been a pioneer of nutrition incentive programs like SNAP Match. MFM operates a similar incentive program and benefits from policy frameworks that Wholesome Wave helps advance nationally.
• The Food Trust: The Food Trust operates farmers markets and food access initiatives in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, including the Farmers Market Program and Philly Food Bucks. It shares MFM's combination of farmers market operation, SNAP incentive programming, and statewide policy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Farmers Market Coalition: Farmers Market Coalition is the national trade association supporting farmers markets across the US. MFM is a member market and aligns with FMC's policy and training work, making FMC a higher-level umbrella peer rather than a direct operator competitor.

Regional players

• Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association: PCFMA operates farmers markets across the San Francisco Bay Area and California, with comparable market management services, vendor recruitment, and nutrition incentive programming. It is a regional peer with similar operational scope to MFM but on the West Coast.
• Boston Public Market: Boston Public Market is an indoor year-round farmers market located in downtown Boston featuring local vendors. It competes for some of the same vendors and shoppers as MFM's Copley Square market but with a permanent indoor format that complements rather than directly replicates MFM's outdoor weekly model.
• Seattle Farmers Market Alliance: Seattle Farmers Market Alliance operates multiple neighborhood farmers markets in Seattle with vendor recruitment, EBT acceptance, and Fresh Bucks nutrition incentives. It is a comparable operating peer to MFM in a different coastal metropolitan market.

Emerging players

• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, based at Tufts University, trains and supports new farmers with a focus on refugee, immigrant, and BIPOC producers in Massachusetts. Its mission overlaps with MFM's BIPOC Incubator Initiative and shared vendor pipeline.
• Local Food Hub: Local Food Hub is a Virginia-based non-profit that aggregates and distributes produce from regional farmers to wholesale and retail customers. While more distribution-focused than MFM, it represents an adjacent model in the local food infrastructure space.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/massfarmersmarkets
• Instagraminstagram.com/massfarmersmarkets
• Xx.com/mafarmmarkets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mass Farmers Markets