07/14/2026
Help Keep the Market Growing - A Letter to Our Community
We're almost halfway through the season, and thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and shoppers, we're also halfway to our 2026 fundraising goal. Thank you!
As we look toward the second half of the season, we'd like to share a little about how the Mills River Farm Market is funded, and why your support matters now more than ever.
Many people don't realize that while the market is now an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it actually began as a Town of Mills River initiative in 2009. About a year later, leadership transitioned to local producers, and the Town has remained one of our most important partners ever since.
For many years, the market was operated entirely by volunteers. As attendance, vendors, and community programs grew, so did the need for dedicated staff. Beginning in 2022, Town funding allowed us to hire part-time employees to help manage the market and expand programs like the Demonstration Kitchen, Kids' Zone, Young Entrepreneur Program, and Double SNAP.
Over the past few years, however, the Town has changed how it funds nonprofit organizations. While we remain grateful for their continued support—including funding for our Double SNAP program, which helps families purchase more fresh, local food—the market now receives a much smaller portion of its budget from the Town than it once did. Just a few short years ago, the Town was responsible for about 60% of our annual budget. This year, we received a quarter of what we requested, and the Town’s support is sitting at just 8% of our annual budget.
That means the future of the market increasingly depends on community support.
We've been working hard to diversify our funding through business sponsorships, grants, fundraising, and individual donations. We also work to keep vendor fees as affordable as possible so local farmers and makers can continue to thrive.
The Mills River Farm Market is more than a place to shop. It's where neighbors gather, children learn about healthy food, local farmers build sustainable businesses that help preserve our local farmland, and thousands of dollars stay right here in our local economy each season.
If the market has made a difference in your life, we'd be honored if you'd consider making a donation. Every dollar helps us continue serving our community.
If you also believe the market is an important community asset, we encourage you to let the Town Council know. We appreciate their partnership over the past 17 years and hope to continue working together to ensure the market remains a thriving part of Mills River for years to come.
Thank you for believing in local agriculture, local businesses, and this incredible community. We can't wait to see you at the market this Saturday!
Ways to Give:
- Visit the Info Booth during market, Saturdays 8-12
- Mail a check payable to Mills River Farm Market at PO Box 151, Horse Shoe, NC 28742
- Donate via Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mrfmarket
