Friends of the Market - Mill City Farmers Market

As the market has started to open up again, many of you have asked, “What can I do to support the market?”

You can help by making a donation today. Our donors and Friends of the Market grow our mission to support a healthier community through partnerships, educational programming, and support for organic farmers and local food producers.

Donate

This year, your support will help us to:

Operate a safe and healthy marketplace as we emerge from COVID-19

Ensure the viability of a supportive marketplace for more than 100 small local farms and businesses who employ over 625 individuals and depend on us as their primary storefront.
Provide vendors with guidance on marketing, regulations and operations.

Support farmers and food makers through the Next Stage Grant program

Lead a committee review of a record number of applications totaling over $113,000 from local farmers and food makers seeking support for hardship or growing toward the “next stage” of their businesses.
Fund and support 15 projects with grants totaling $73,415 ranging from deer fences to protect hard-earned harvests, to irrigation systems for leased farmland, to projects that increase efficiencies, enabling farms to scale-up.

Ensure access to healthy, sustainably-produced local food

Increase awareness of our Market Bucks program, which stretches the buying power of shoppers using EBT cards by matching purchases dollar-per-dollar up to $10 at the market.
Provide 60 families in Cedar Riverside with free, weekly market produce through our food donation program Greens for Good.

Donate

Your donation to the Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund as a donor and Friend of the Market is tax-deductible.

Thank you again for all of the ways you are committed to supporting a thriving local food community. It’s truly a team effort, and everything you do – from shopping at the market, making a donation, to simply spreading the word about your favorite farmer or maker with a friend – has a reverberating impact.

Ders Farm

More reasons to donate

By joining the Friends of the Market at any level, you become part of a circle of supporters that receive exclusive communications and perks designed for folks who are devoted fans and passionate about making a difference in the local food community.

ROOT – $5/month or $60/year

Friends at the ROOT level are our anchor and stability. ROOTS receive:

Special communications about what’s going on behind the scenes, including occasional perks and gifts from our local vendors and partners.

SEED – $10/month or $120/year

Friends at the SEED level give us life and hope for the future. SEEDS receive:

A limited-edition 15th Anniversary Mill City Farmers Market tote*, perfect for filling with treats from your favorite vendor
PLUS all ROOT benefits.

*Totes are limited

STEM – $25/month or $300/year

Friends at the STEM level give us nourishment where we need it most. STEMS receive:

Invitations to tour farmers’ and makers’ spaces, healthy cooking classes and/or market tours with chefs
PLUS all ROOT and SEED benefits.

BLOSSOM – $50/month or $600/year

Friends at the BLOSSOM level make us a happy, healthy garden. BLOSSOMS receive:

The opportunity to provide a Market lunch for your favorite vendor.**
PLUS all ROOT, SEED and STEM benefits.

*You can join us at the Market to hand-deliver the lunch, or Market staff can provide it on your behalf. We will reach out to you to coordinate the details.

HONEYBEE – $100/month or $1,200/year

Friends at the HONEYBEE level bring buzz and sweetness to the hive. HONEYBEES receive:

Exclusive individualized opportunities to connect with Market and local food leaders
PLUS all ROOT, SEED, STEM and BLOSSOM benefits.

Donate

To make a contribution by mail, please send a check to Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund (MCFM-CF) at 704 S 2nd St, Ste. 510 Minneapolis, MN 55401. Please indicate if you would like to opt-in for Friends of the Market communications and benefits.