Friends of the Market

First Presbyterian Church of Canton

Believing very strongly that a society with a healthy agriculture sector is a benefit to every member of the society, the First Presbyterian Church of Canton endeavors to support the members of the Canton Farmers Market. As part of the church's ministry to the community and mission to local farmers, the First Presbyterian Church provides free use of the village Park (owned by the church) to members of the Canton Farmers Market for the purpose of providing a market for their fresh produce and natural products. It is hoped that this support will provide economic benefit to local growers, and provide community members with a wide variety of healthy, locally grown fruits, vegetables and products. We believe that to accomplish these ends will result in an improved quality of life for the entire Canton community.

GardenShare

GardenShare believes that the pleasure of eating delicious, wholesome food belongs to everyone. That's why we're enthusiastic about the Canton Farmers' Market and why we're helping to keep the market accessible to shoppers with limited incomes. For example, GardenShare's booth at the market enables shoppers to use their Food Stamp/EBT benefits to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. We also promote the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, which provides discount coupons to seniors and to mothers in the WIC program. In 2007, GardenShare pioneered a shuttle bus to bring Seniors to the market from outlying apartment complexes. This bus has now been added to the county's bus route. All of this also helps increase sales for the market vendors. We publicize the market and promote the benefits of local food because we believe a strong farmers' market is good for the whole community.

UShare

UShare is a social action project of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton. UShare involves members in multiple activities in partnership with GardenShare to alleviate hunger by promoting the growth, distribution and consumption of wholesome, locally grown food in our area.