🧭 About the Florida Alliance of Farmers Markets

Rooted in Local. Built for Markets. Centered on Vendors.

The Florida Alliance of Farmers Markets exists to support, strengthen, and promote the incredible farmers markets that serve communities across our state. We understand the value these markets bring — and the challenges that come with running them — from vendor coordination and compliance to promotion and community engagement.

We’re here to help make it easier.

Whether you’re a market manager, farmer, rancher, producer, homesteader, cottage baker, or local maker, our mission is to provide the tools, education, and connections you need to succeed. We also serve as a central hub of information — connecting shoppers to markets, helping visitors discover local gems, and shining a spotlight on the stories that make each Florida market unique.

We believe that strong markets build stronger communities — and we’re here to amplify those efforts, not replace them.

🎯 Our Mission

To strengthen Florida’s farmers markets by empowering market managers, vendors, and producers with training, resources, community, and a unified voice for advocacy.

We believe that local is special — and that the connection between the people who grow our food and the people who eat it is essential to our health, our economy, and our way of life. In a time when small farms and handmade goods are under pressure, farmers markets are more important than ever.

Farmers markets have always been the heartbeat of communities, just as they’ve been central to civilizations throughout history. They are places where food, culture, entrepreneurship, and connection come together — and we are here to protect and promote that legacy across Florida.

🤝 Who We Serve

• Farmers, ranchers, growers, and food producers

• Cottage bakers, artisans, and handmade makers

• Market managers, city planners, and nonprofit leaders

• Shoppers and tourists looking to buy local

• Sponsors, partners, and advocates for local food systems

👤 Meet the Founder: Bill Davenport

Hi, I’m Bill — a retired U.S. Navy Chief, proud market manager, and passionate advocate for farmers, makers, and small-town markets.

I began my journey in 2016 as an artisan micro coffee roaster, selling fresh-roasted coffee as a vendor at local farmers markets. What started as a weekend booth quickly became a passion — and a powerful introduction to the challenges and potential of market-based businesses.

After retiring from the Navy, I founded Anchored Market Ventures, a veteran-owned company that now operates multiple farmers markets across Northwest Florida. Through this work, I’ve developed a suite of resources to help vendors and market managers succeed, including:

• 🎙️ The Vendor’s Edge Podcast

• 📬 The Farmers Market Junction Newsletter

• 🎥 The Anchored Market Ventures YouTube Channel

• 📚 Books and digital products designed to help vendors stand out and sell

• 🧰 Tools and training for market growth and management

In doing this work, I saw a clear need: a strong, unified voice to represent and support markets, producers, growers, and makers across Florida — especially at a time when small farmers are struggling, and communities need them more than ever.

That’s why I launched the Florida Alliance of Farmers Markets — to connect, support, and amplify the people and places that make local possible.

“We’re not here to take over or change what makes markets special.
We’re here to amplify their voices, share their stories, and give them the tools they need to thrive.”
— Bill Davenport, Founder