Jonesborough Locally Grown

JONESBOROUGH LOCALLY GROWN (JLG) IS A 501(C)(3) NON PROFIT THAT CONNECTS FARMERS, FOOD, AND THE COMMUNITY TO GROW A VIBRANT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. JLG OPERATES TWO MARKETS BOONE STREET MARKET (BSM), A YEAR ROUND LOCAL FOODS STORE, AND JONESBOROUGH FARMERS MARKET (JFM), A TAILGATE FARMERS MARKET. BOTH ARE PRODUCER ONLY THAT SOURCE PRIMARILY WITHIN 100 MILES OF JONESBOROUGH, TN. JLG KEEPS FEES LOW TO BENEFIT THE VENDOR AND SUPPORTS OVER 100 VENDORS, MANY OF WHOM ARE SMALL OR BEGINNING FARMERS. JLG MARKETS OPERATE WITH SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER SUPPORT, DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISERS SOMEWHAT UNRELIABLE LABOR AND FUNDING SOURCES, AS THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC DEMONSTRATED. FOR THE LONG TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY OF BSM AND JFM AND VIABILITY OF JLG VENDORS, SALES MUST INCREASE TO AVOID RADICALLY CHANGING THE LOW VENDOR FEE STRUCTURE JLG CURRENTLY EMPLOYS.JLG WAS AWARDED A FMPP GRANT IN 2018, ALLOWING THE START OF AN INTENSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN. THE PREVIOUS GRANT WAS SUCCESSFUL DESPITE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY THE PANDEMIC, BUT RISING INFLATION AND OVERHEAD COSTS HAVE INCREASED THE SALES THRESHOLD REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN JLG MARKETS. THIS PROJECT BUILDS ON THE SAMPLING AND ADVERTISING ELEMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS PROJECT AND ADDS AN IMPORTANT CONSUMER DEMAND ONLINE ORDERING. WITH FMPP FUNDS TO SUPPORT THESE INITIATIVES, SALES AT BSM AND JFM ARE PROJECTED TO INCREASE 15 BY THE END OF THE PROJECT PERIOD. INCREASING SALES INADDITION TO FOOT TRAFFIC AND RETAINING VENDORS ARE KEY TO THE LONG TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY OF BSM AND JFM AND, THEREFORE, THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FARMERS AND VENDORS SUPPORTED BY JLG MARKETS.

JONESBOROUGH LOCALLY GROWN - WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY, CONDUCT OUTREACH, AND IMPLEMENT CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM TO INCREASE FARMER SALES.

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.