BECOME A MARKET HERO AND HELP US SUSTAIN OUR MARKET!
Update: Did you donate in 2020? You can now pick up your free tote at our winter market!
July 13, 2020 Fundraiser update: $7,965 raised during Ithaca Hummus donation match weekend – turning into a $15,930 donation total! We have passed our goal for $20,000 – but we can still use funds. Consider donating today.
Since 1973, The Ithaca Farmers Market has produced a reliable and recurring community event that attracts locals as well as tourists to enjoy farm fresh produce, prepared foods, artisan crafts and local entertainment. The market creates a place for customers to directly connect with producers – strengthening our local food system and our local economy. We are an organization that uses our power and influence to bring awareness to more than 100 small businesses – many of whom would not have another reliable place to sell at. All of our vendors live and work within 30 miles of Ithaca.
The market runs year round, January to December. We are a cooperative corporation: which means that each vendor pays a fee to be a member, as well as a daily fee each time they attend market. These fees are the largest source of revenue for the market, funding most of the operating costs such as rent, utilities, waste management, staff, marketing, maintenance, insurance and more. Our other streams of revenue are merchandise sales, grants and pavilion rentals for events and weddings. Due to the cancellations and rapid shifts we’ve had to make during COVID-19, all of our sources of income have been severely impacted or eliminated.
Today we are launching a fundraising campaign to raise $20,000 that will be utilized by the IFM to continue to support local farmers, chefs and artisans. These funds will assist us in running a safe and accessible grocery outlet for our community, help connect farmers and producers to customers who cannot attend the market and minimize the financial burden on our vendors, all while supporting our local economy. This campaign will help us run the market our community cherishes and depends on.
Donate to the COVID-19 fundraising campaign today!
If you think the market is an important part of the Ithaca community, this is your chance to support something you believe in. Your dollars will add to the resilience of our organization and to our local food chain.
Here are two ways you can contribute:
1. Click on the DONATE button to make a contribution over PayPal
Perks to being a Market Hero!
We appreciate your support in creating a safe, accessible farmers market with us. In order to thank our loyal fans, we’ve created a special gift. When you contribute $30 or more, you get an Ithaca Farmers Market *Market Hero* tote bag, specially designed by vendor Laurin Ramsey of Liontail Press.
Not only does this tote bag show the world that you support the market, but it will also act as a gateway to special Market Hero deals throughout the year! More info on that to come. NOTE: To ensure your donation is going toward our fundraiser, we are not mailing tote bags to donors at this time. Did you donate? Pick up your bag at our winter market.