Part 1: Brief History of Farmers Markets in the United States

The Office of Food Justice is introducing a three-part blog series on the history of Farmers Markets in the U.S., Massachusetts, and Boston. This first post examines the evolution of Farmers Markets from the 1600s to the present day!

Farmers Markets have deep roots in the U.S. Food System dating back to the 1600s. Can you imagine what shopping at a Farmers Market was like centuries ago? Imagine farmers arriving at dawn to the town square with oxen-drawn carts full of their harvest, neighbors eagerly swapping recipes, and the smell of fresh baked bread in the air. Every transaction made with a hearty greeting and a story about rural farming. Much has changed since then, but Farmers Markets still facilitate a space for social connection and collective support for local agriculture. 

The history of Farmers Markets in the U.S. tells a tale of resilience in the face of modernization, farmer-led advocacy, and health-conscious lifestyles. The next two parts of the blog will dive into the history of Farmers Markets in Massachusetts and in Boston. This blog series will complement a social media campaign highlighting current Boston Farmers Markets to learn more about their history and community impact. Follow OFJ on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our content! 

Timeline of Key Dates

1600s:

• With the arrival of European settlers, the first Farmers Markets date back to the 1600s, serving as gateways for urban residents to buy meats, dairy, and fresh produce more conveniently. 
• The first official record of a European-style Farmers Market can be traced back to Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 by an order of Governor John Winthrop. Other farmers markets started popping up: Hartford in 1643, New York City by 1686, and Philadelphia in 1693. 

1730: 

• In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, city planners intentionally designed a parcel of land in the center of town, giving way for the Lancaster Central Market. 

1800s/1900s: 

1920s:  

• Due to low crop prices and higher machinery costs, farmers began putting poorer farmland into production and introducing more crop variety to survive financially.
• Many farmers stopped using soil conservation methods to reduce expenses, leading to severe soil erosion and later the Dust Bowl. 
• The Great Depression that began in 1920 only further exacerbated the agricultural issues that were brewing and affecting small farmers across the country. 

1930s: 

• For a decade, severe drought affected the U.S. Great Plains and the term “Dust Bowl” was coined in 1935. 
• The Dust Bowl had harmful effects on the agricultural systems due to crop failure caused by little rainfall, high temperatures, high winds, and insect infestations.
• Despite federal emergency relief, many farmers were not able to sustain their farms and livelihoods. 

1950s: 

1970s: 

• Farmers Markets made a strong resurgence as customers sought higher quality produce and places to gather in the community. This led to strong interests in preservation of local farmland and improving livelihood for small farmers. 
• In 1973, President Nixon’s Secretary of Agriculture had a message for American Farmers: plant “fencerow to fencerow” and “get big or get out” – igniting a race to meet high agricultural demand. 
• In 1979, the American Agriculture Movement (AAM) organized the second national tractorcade to advocate for more government support for small family farms.

1980s: 

• This era was known as the Farm Crisis of rural America, affecting the Midwest in particular. This decade saw the collapse of the Farm Credit System and the mass closure of rural banks. 
• In January 1984, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Board, one-third of all American Farmers held nearly two-thirds of the nation’s total farm debt. 
• Key federal legislations such as the 1985 Farm Bill and the 1986 Chapter 12 Bankruptcy ushered in conservation programs and financial restructuring for farmers to avoid economic ruin. 

1994: 

• According to USDA, under 2,000 Farmers Markets were operating nationwide. 

Present day: 

• According to USDA, more than 8,600 Farmers Markets are in operation in the United States today. 
• A few factors contributed to the rapid growth of Farmers Markets in the U.S.: 1) the popularity of healthier eating and living in the U.S. made farmers markets more appealing; 2) high consumer interest to contribute directly to the local economy; 3) Farmers Markets offer variety by season and introduce more spontaneity with shopping practices. 

This is an abbreviated history lesson on Farmers Market in the U.S., and there’s more to come! Are you curious about the current Farmers Market landscape in the U.S.? In part 2 of this blog series, we’ll do a deeper dive into the growth and presence of Farmers Markets in Massachusetts. 

Centuries have passed since those early open-air markets, yet the essence remains the same. So, the next time you wander through your local Farmers Market, imagine the generations before you who came to these markets for the very same reasons - food, community, and stories. You are continuing an old tradition that nourishes our communities in many ways. As we face modern challenges like climate change, Farmers Markets continue to hold promise as centers of sustainability and adaptability. The story isn’t over; it’s evolving.