Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Farmers Market topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coppell Farmers Market and community gardens report growth; donated produce totals nearly 25,000 pounds in 2024
Summary
Coppell Sustainable Food Organization updated council on market attendance, vendor growth and garden donations; presenters said the market plans to reincorporate as a nonprofit in 2026 and noted partnerships with Metrocrest Services and Texas Health Resources.
Representatives from the Coppell Sustainable Food Organization told the Coppell City Council on Feb. 25 that the Coppell Farmers Market and Coppell Community Gardens continued to grow in 2024 and expanded outreach and nutrition programs.
Marissa Olivas, community programs coordinator and liaison to the market and gardens, said the market is preparing to reincorporate as an independent nonprofit in 2026 and that staff and volunteers view the market as “one of the best markets in Texas.” She and Amanda Austin, director of the Coppell Farmers Market, presented attendance and vendor trends: vendors rose from just under 60 in 2021 to more than 80 in 2024, and 2024 produced the largest customer increase on record. Austin said customers traveled as far as 30 miles to attend, and the market has a five‑star Google rating.
Hillary Hodgson, garden chair, reported that the community gardens donated almost 25,000 pounds of produce in 2024 to Metrocrest Services’ food pantry and that, since inception, the gardens have donated more than 380,000 pounds—equivalent to roughly 317,000 healthy meals. Hodgson said 104 gardening families performed about 6,600 volunteer hours; the greenhouse produced more than 30,000 transplants (24,000 for gardens, 5,000 for school gardens and 1,000 for a fundraiser plant sale) and the Vigo Bed initiative completed 24 additional beds in 2024.
The market expanded educational programming in 2024: booths on market days allowed K–12 students to run entrepreneurial or service booths; a nutrition education partnership with Texas Health Resources offered hands-on activities; and vendor business-development training and grant support were provided. The market also grew an equitable food access program in partnership with Metrocrest Services and the Sustainable Food Center of Austin.
Councilmembers commended the market and gardens for regional economic impact, community-building and food access. Councilmember Matthew (last name not specified) noted Metrocrest Services’ appreciation for donated organic produce; Councilmember Walker highlighted the benefit to lower-income residents.
The presenters asked for continued city support as the market develops governance and nonprofit status; no formal council action was recorded on this presentation.
