The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) was established in 2006 to promote local food consumption in Michigan. MIFMA connects farmers to consumers through farmers markets statewide. With the number of Michigan farmers markets increasing from 90 in 2001 to now more than 300, MIFMA’s mission to support the viability of community-driven marketplaces has only seen their importance grow.

MIFMA recognizes farmers markets strengthen communities by building connections between local farmers, vendors and consumers. The association advocates for equitable access to local foods and works with farmers market operators to break down the barriers to participation.

“Farmers markets are central pillars of thriving communities,” says MIFMA Executive Director Amanda Shreve. “When we remove obstacles to access, especially through technology that enables customers to shop easily and vendors to process sales, we improve the connection between local consumers and Michigan’s farms and businesses.”

Reliable, affordable and innovative new technologies like low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband helps better connect everyone, improving economic opportunities for farmers and supporting local consumers’ access to nutritious local goods through internet service. Today, LEO satellite technology is changing the way local communities can live, work and shop. By supporting adoption of satellite technology, farmers markets can better accept various forms of payment, ensuring more equitable access to local, healthy food, even for consumers who may be eligible for food assistance programs.

“The Michigan Farmers Market Association understands how technology can break down barriers to economic opportunity and community access,” says CEC Executive Director Richard Cullen. “It is encouraging to see how new technologies, such as LEO satellite broadband, are improving operations and expanding access in a sector that has seen significant growth in recent decades. CEC is excited to count MIFMA among our growing membership and appreciate the work they are doing to continue reducing the digital divide in Michigan.”

DID YOU KNOW?   

As of 2024, an average of 41.7 million people per month benefitted from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is the cornerstone of USDA’s nutrition assistance programs and the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. Serving 12.3 percent of U.S. residents, SNAP provides a monthly dollar amount to purchase standard grocery items for individuals and families facing financial hardship, with the dollar amount loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, the card system used to distribute SNAP funds.

With more than 260,000 retailers authorized to accept SNAP, including thousands of farmers markets, consumers can shop at a variety of vendors. However, shoppers using SNAP to purchase groceries continue to face hurdles. 

Innovative technology like LEO satellites create game-changing opportunities for both vendors and consumers by providing fast, reliable internet offerings. Like other card-based payments, EBT cards can be used with a card reader and a transaction processing application through a wireless EBT point-of-sale device. For farmers markets in remote or rural areas with poor cellular coverage, LEO satellite technology can connect more shoppers with the chance to purchase local and nutritious food. 

Satellite internet can help process payments and provide access to more goods, improving equitable access to local foods and reducing barriers to participation.