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 A consultant team led by Market Ventures, Inc. of Portland, Maine, and Karp Resources of Southold, New York, completed a Phase One Study in January 2005, which focused on determining if adequate supply and demand existed to create such a facility. That study found tremendous interest among both sellers and buyers in creating a new facility to bring the region's farmers together with wholesale buyers in New York City. Buyers in and around the city expressed unmet demand for farm products that are grown or produced in the region and strong interest in buying from farmers at a new facility. New York State farmers sought the opportunity to sell to the city's restaurants, retailers, institutions, florists and other wholesale buyers but felt stymied by the lack of appropriate infrastructure to support these sales. The study identified successful models in other cities, particularly Toronto and Paris, where wholesale farmers' markets have become the bridge between buyers and sellers. The study found significant economic and other benefits to the creation of a new wholesale farmers' market, including the market's potential to help maintain New York City as one of the leading "food cities" of the world, bring fresh, healthy foods to bodegas and institutions that feed low income New Yorkers, and support sustainability efforts by helping to rebuild the region's capacity to grow food and protect working farms. Links to both the executive summary and the full report are below. In March 2006, NYSDAM again retained a consultant team led by Market Ventures, Inc. and Karp Resources to plan for the development of a new, world-class wholesale farmers' market in New York City. Key elements of the Phase 2 study included: 1. Site identification and comparative analysis 2. Facility components and use analysis 3. Feasibility of co-location with an existing wholesale market 4. Facility design and specifications, development plan and cost estimates 5. Development and operating entities, pro forma, and economic feasibility 6. Wholesale farmers' market policy and management guidelines 7. Findings and recommendations The final report is expected to be released in late 2007. In his first State of the State address in January 2007, NYS Governor Spitzer announced that the NYC wholesale farmers' market was among the top 15 priorities of his new administration and a key strategy for helping the New York farming community. The state's 2007-08 budget includes funds for the next phase of planning and design, with the expectation of additional financial support to fund construction. This web site was developed by Market Ventures, Inc. and Karp Resources as a component of the study project. It offers information about the study and Advisory Committee, the goals of the study, the process of conducting the study, the findings, the study team's recommendations, and all updates on further development of the project. The site also provides information on the context within which this study took place: current and historic wholesale farmers' markets in New York City and elsewhere, New York State agriculture, and retail and wholesale direct marketing. We invite all who are interested in sharing their perspectives and ideas on direct wholesale marketing, and on the study, to communicate with the study team and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Please go to Talk To Us to complete a brief questionnaire or send us an e-mail.  Download First Phase (January 2005) Final Report Executive Summary (PDF 890 k) Download First Phase (January 2005) Final Report (PDF 4.5 MB) Download First Phase (January 2005) Final Report Appendix C: Research Report, Appendix D: Survey Instruments (PDF 1 MB)
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NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
info@wholesalefarmersmarketnyc.com
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