Franklin County Farmers Market

What Franklin County Farmers Market does

Franklin County Farmers Market (FCFM) operates a community farmers market under the Market Pavilion at River View Park, 203 Holmes St., Frankfort, Kentucky, with mailing address at 101 Lakeview Ct. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit operating through the Friends of the Franklin County Farmers Market and a seven-member board (Lisa Weber, President; Leah Childs; Harry Hasken-Wagner; Natalie Gwishiri; Heather Housman; Tim Peiffer; Ruth Dike, PhD). It runs in-person Saturday markets year-round (8:30am–Noon, April–November, plus a biweekly Winter Market) and seasonal Tuesday markets (May–September), supported by a ~5-person staff and a vendor-only board seat reinforcing producer-side representation.

The market monetizes through vendor booth fees (transaction-fee revenue on direct farmer-to-consumer sales), a $2.50 per-order service fee on online pre-orders via the Local Food Marketplace platform (Thursday curbside pickup and Saturday pickup), the Farm-to-Frankfort workplace delivery program serving 15 employer sites, and a Food Share cooperative with sliding-scale subscriptions ($7 SNAP / $14 limited income / $32 regular / $40 food justice). It also operates Double Dollars (SNAP/EBT 1:1 matching, plus additional for meat/eggs/cheese) and Fresh Rx for Moms-to-Be ($26/week produce + $5/week any food for WIC/Medicaid-enrolled expectant mothers), both funded by USDA, Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, and Community Farm Alliance grants.

The organization supports Frankfort Independent Schools through a Farm-to-School partnership (91,085 meals distributed in 2024, 13,050 servings of local produce, school gardens at Second Street School and Frankfort High School, FoodPrints cooking curriculum) and runs monthly Kids Days events. Marketing is community-led via weekly email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, blog, and corporate sponsorships (WesBanco, Kentucky Farm Bureau, UK College of Agriculture, Independence Bank). Customer base spans general consumers, SNAP/EBT recipients, expectant mothers, school district, and ~15 enterprise workplaces including Kentucky Public Pensions Authority, Frankfort Regional Medical Center, and Commonwealth Credit Union.

Name

Franklin County Farmers Market

Legal name

Friends of the Franklin County Farmers Market

Website

https://franklincountyfarmersmarket.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Franklin County Farmers Market is a 501c3 nonprofit community farmers market in Frankfort, Kentucky, operating in-person markets, online ordering, workplace delivery, and food-access programs (Double Dollars, Food Share, Fresh Rx) for local consumers, SNAP recipients, schools, and employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Farm-to-Consumer Cooperative Markets (Local Producer Co-ops) (CRAHALAG)

Keywords

• Community farmers market
• Local food marketplace
• Farm to school
• Food access programs
• Snap matching program

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Vendor Booth Fees: Local farmers and producers pay fees to sell at the market, offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and artisan products directly to consumers.
2. Online Ordering Service Fees: Customers pay a $2.50 service fee per online order for pre-order marketplace functionality.
3. SNAP/EBT Double Dollars Matching: USDA and state-funded program that matches SNAP spending 1:1 for produce plus additional for meat/eggs/cheese, funded through Community Farm Alliance partnership.
4. Fresh Rx Vouchers: Expectant mothers with WIC or Medicaid receive $26/week for produce plus $5/week for any food, funded by Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and Friends of the Market.
5. Food Share Subscriptions: Cooperative produce buying program with sliding-scale pricing ($7 SNAP, $14 income-based, $32 regular, $40 food justice) generating revenue while supporting food access.
6. Farm to Frankfort Workplace Delivery: Workplace delivery program serving 15 workplaces, generating revenue through online sales with delivery logistics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Franklin County Farmers Market operates a producer-only farmers market in Frankfort, Kentucky, offering fresh produce, meats, eggs, breads, cheeses, jams, and artisan goods from local farmers through in-person Saturday and Tuesday markets, online pre-ordering with curbside pickup, and workplace delivery. The market runs multiple food access programs including Double Dollars SNAP/EBT matching, FCFM Food Share sliding-scale produce, and Fresh Rx for Moms-to-Be vouchers, supported by the Friends of the Market 501c3 nonprofit.

Product overview

The Franklin County Farmers Market operates a multi-channel farmers market platform in Frankfort, KY. The core offering consists of in-person markets (Saturday year-round and Tuesday seasonally) at the Market Pavilion at River View Park, complemented by an online ordering system through Local Food Marketplace for Thursday curbside pickup and Saturday pickup. Supporting programs include the Farm-to-Frankfort workplace delivery service, Double Dollars SNAP matching, FCFM Food Share (sliding-scale produce shares), Fresh Rx for expectant mothers, and monthly Kids Days events. These programs are coordinated by the FRIENDS of the Market non-profit organization, which also manages community partnerships and donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fresh Rx for Moms-to-Be: A program providing expectant moms with WIC or Medicaid $26/week for fresh fruits and vegetables and $5/week for any food at the market.
• Double Dollars
• FCFM Food Share
• Farm to Frankfort
• Kids Days

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 Food Share: 500+ shares distributed, 78% to limited income households, $14,049 to local farmers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Farm AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to administer the Double Dollars program matching SNAP/EBT spending 1:1 for fresh produce and providing bonus dollars for meat, eggs, and cheese. This partnership enables food access for SNAP recipients shopping at the market.
• Locals Food HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Fresh Rx for Moms-to-Be program. Locals Food Hub accepts Fresh Rx vouchers 11am-8pm seven days a week, expanding access beyond market hours. Both organizations work together to provide fresh food access for expectant mothers.
• Frankfort Independent SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep Farm-to-School partnership including summer meals distribution (91,085 meals in 2024), Love Local Lunch events, school garden programs at Second Street School and Frankfort High School, and FoodPrints cooking curriculum. Funded by USDA Local Food for Schools and Farm to School grants.
• FoodChainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLexington-based food organization that processes butternut squash for FIS school meals using squash grown by FIS students at Jane Julian Farm. Contributed to Love Local Lunch event.
• Kentucky State University ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension partner providing programming support for SSS garden club and agriculture opportunities. KSU Community Sustainability Coordinator Nat Colten participates in Farm-to-School events.
• Franklin County Cooperative ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension partner supporting Farm-to-School programs. Franklin County Extension Agent Keenan Bishop grills steaks with Franklin County Cattlemen's Association for Love Local Lunch events.
• Kentucky Department of AgricultureminorOthersFunding partner for Farm-to-School Specialty Crop Block Grant supporting school gardens and relationships with local farmers for produce sourcing.
• USDA Farm to SchoolminorOthersFederal funding source for Local Food for Schools funding and Farm to School Planning and Implementation Grants supporting FIS partnerships and school gardens.
• No Kid HungrycoreOthersNational anti-hunger organization providing Summer Meals Youth Ambassador funding and support for FIS summer meal distribution programs. 2023 and 2024 programs distributed 64,432 and 91,085 meals respectively.
• Yes ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts education organization providing programming support for Second Street School garden club and Farm-to-School events with arts activities.
• Our Home Place MeatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHenry County, KY farm (project of the Berry Center) supplying sirloin steak for FIS Love Local Lunch. Local farmer providing quality meat products to school meals.
• Salad Days FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWoodford County, KY farm providing thyme roasted carrots and other produce for FIS school meals. Regular supplier of local vegetables to summer meals and school programs.
• Happy Jack's FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranklin County farm providing baked potatoes and cornmeal for FIS school meals. Major vendor at FCFM and Farm-to-Frankfort supplier.
• Inside Out DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape design company that provided generous help installing FHS garden through USDA Farm to School Planning Grant.
• WesBancominorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Welcome Table/Double Dollars sponsor and business supporter of the market.
• Kentucky Farm Bureau - Franklin CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 business and community supporter providing sponsorship for market operations and Double Dollars program.
• UK College of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Kentucky partner with CAEMG (Center for Agriculture, Energy, and the Environment) providing support and resources for market operations.
• Independence BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 Kids Day sponsor and community supporter. July Kids Day sponsor at the market.
• Friends of the Franklin County Farmers MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501c3 nonprofit organization that funds fresh food incentives, hosts Kids Days and community events, sustains Farm-to-School efforts, supports a community garden, and coordinates the Food Share program. Board includes Lisa Weber (President), Leah Childs (Vice President), Harry Hasken-Wagner (Treasurer), Natalie Gwishiri (Secretary), and Heather Housman (Coordinator).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Emerging players

• Imperfect Foods: Direct-to-consumer produce and grocery delivery subscription service with workplace delivery — overlaps with Farm-to-Frankfort workplace delivery model though serving a national online subscriber base.
• Community Farm Alliance: Kentucky nonprofit administering the Double Dollars SNAP matching program alongside FCFM. Operates food access advocacy and farm-to-table programs across multiple KY counties, overlapping in food access mission.

Direct peers

• Locals Food Hub: Regional food hub partner that accepts Fresh Rx vouchers and aggregates Kentucky farm products. Directly comparable as a complementary food access distribution channel in central Kentucky.
• Lexington Farmers Market: Kentucky farmers market in nearby Lexington serving the central Bluegrass region with multiple weekday markets, vendor booth fees, and food access programs — most directly comparable peer in the same state.

Broad incumbents

• Wheatsville Food Co-op: Texas food cooperative operating retail grocery with community ownership, local sourcing emphasis, and food access programs — comparable in cooperative grocery + food access mission though much larger scale.
• Park Slope Food Coop: Large member-owned cooperative grocery in Brooklyn operating sliding-scale pricing and member labor model. Comparable cooperative structure for community-owned fresh food retail, though at much greater scale.

Others

• Local Food Marketplace: Software platform used by Franklin County Farmers Market to power online ordering and curbside pickup. Comparable as the enabling technology backbone for the market's digital channel rather than a market operator itself.

Regional players

• New Roots Produce / New Roots Inc. Kentucky-based fresh food access nonprofit running sliding-scale produce distributions and farm-share programs for refugee and low-income families — comparable model of cooperative produce access with sliding-scale pricing.
• Good Food Coalition (Louisville): Louisville-based food access coalition running farmers market incentive programs and Fresh Stop Market-style food shares in Kentucky — comparable model for sliding-scale produce distribution at markets.
• Bluegrass Farm to Table: Kentucky nonprofit connecting local farms to schools, hospitals, and workplaces. Comparable mission around institutional local food procurement and farm-to-school work in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/franklincountyfarmersmarketky
• Instagraminstagram.com/franklincountyfarmersmarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franklin-county-farmers-market

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Franklin County Farmers Market