Cultivating Profitability: ?Farmers Market Benchmarks

Farmers and producers in New York can now access a highly valuable set of benchmarks and profitability strategies at no cost by visiting: https://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/benchmark-assessment-supp.

The data has been released as the culmination of the multi-year project: Cultivating Profitability: Farmers Market Benchmarks. The project is spearheaded by Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County (CCE Broome) and the Farmers Market Federation of NY (FMFNY) and is the second iteration of profitability benchmarks set in 2016 by these same organizations. The goal of the project is to provide farmers and producers with benchmarks and informed best practices for pricing, sales, labor, marketing, and other factors that determine profitability at farmers markets.

Those interested in accessing the data can choose how to utilize the information. It is available in a presentation format, as a pre-recorded webinar, and even as raw data. In addition, there are helpful data sheets and worksheets so farmers and producers can intentionally apply the concepts and data to their own organization in an effort to cultivate their own profitability at farmers markets.

“We’re thrilled to share so much useful data with the hard-working farmers and producers of New York State. Our goal is that they can start applying some of these strategies right away as they prepare for the 2025 farmers market season,” said Jack Riffle, FMFNY Executive Director.

The data was pulled from responses to a survey initiated in summer 2024, which was then analyzed by a team of experienced agriculture leaders and producers. This team then generated a full set of benchmarks, profitability strategies, and action items. All of this information was presented in a series of webinars and in-person presentations across New York State in February and March 2025.

“The ultimate goal of the project data was to be useful and practical! The way the information is organized, farmers can choose which aspect/s of their business to focus on. For example, one farmer may compare their labor data to the benchmark data, and realize they should spend a bit more time preparing for market day. Or, another producer may see that it could be more profitable to explore selling at a farmers market that accepts benefit programs such as SNAP/EBT,” said Laura Biasillo, CCE Broome Agricultural Economic Development Specialist.