This Summer, the Clark County Green Business program was excited to welcome the Vancouver Farmer's Market to our network of certified green businesses. Since 1990, the Vancouver Farmer's Market has supported over 270 businesses, welcomed 500,000+ shoppers annually and generated over 27 million dollars in local impact. Beyond weekly markets, they increase food access in the community, foster small business development and facilitate youth education programs. We worked with Kelsey Allan, Director of Operations at the Vancouver Farmer's Market (VFM), to bring you this edition of Green Business Spotlight. Read on to learn about VFM and what drives their sustainability initiatives.
Can you describe the overall sustainability messaging of the Vancouver Farmer's Market?
Kelsey: "Our overall sustainability messaging emphasizes the value of local food, thriving small businesses and community connection and stewardship. By connecting shoppers directly with farmers and makers, we promote shorter supply chains, reduced transportation impacts and reinvestment in the local food system and economy. We provide opportunities for community members to make a positive environmental, social and economic impact every week!"
What strides has Vancouver Farmer's Market made in the past year to achieve sustainability goals?
Kelsey: "In the past year, we became a certified Green Business and set new sustainability goals for the years ahead. In 2023, we transitioned our Downtown Market to year-round operations, creating greater economic impact and more opportunities for the community to support small local farms and businesses. We also expanded our food access programs, including the Produce Prescription program, which delivered fresh local produce directly to the homes of 55 food-insecure patients and their families managing chronic diet-related illnesses. In 2024, we distributed $26,000 of nutritious food through this program. Altogether, our food access programs invested $322,198 into our farmers and local food system, strengthening both community health and local agriculture."
What measures do you take to minimize waste generation at Vancouver Farmer's Market?
Kelsey: "We minimize waste by shopping secondhand, repairing equipment whenever possible and training staff on proper recycling and waste reduction methods. Through our participation in commercial composting; composting services are available to market businesses that generate food-prep waste. We also partner with the Clark County Food Bank on a gleaning program. In 2024, local farms who participate in our markets donated a total of 36,645 pounds of local produce that was distributed to neighbors in need ensuring no nutritious food goes to waste. In addition, we educate market businesses on Washington State waste reduction initiatives and laws and actively promote the use of reusables at the market."
How do you engage employees in sustainable initiatives? What steps have you taken to promote a culture of sustainability among your staff?
Kelsey: "We engage staff in sustainability by incorporating it into our day-to-day operations and training. Employees are encouraged to repair and reuse equipment whenever possible and are trained on proper recycling practices and resources like those provided by the Green Business Team and Waste Connections. We involve staff in programs like the commercial composting program and our gleaning partnership with the Clark County Food Bank so they can see the direct impact of their efforts. We also share updates on Washington State waste reduction initiatives and highlight ways staff can support these efforts at the market, helping foster a culture where sustainability is part of everyone's role."
Please tell us any other ways the Vancouver Farmer's Market supports our community.
Kelsey: "The VFM believes in the power of healthy communities! As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to supporting local small businesses, providing food access programming and creating community gathering spaces in Vancouver, Washington.
Since its founding in 1990, the Vancouver Farmer's Market has become a hallmark of Vancouver, supporting over 270 small businesses, welcoming more than 500,00 shoppers annually and generating a local economic impact exceeding $27 million.
In addition to our weekly markets, we also provide a wide range of programming focused on building healthy communities through food access, small business development and youth education."
What are the Vancouver Farmer's Market future sustainability goals for 2025 and beyond? How do you plan to hold your company accountable for achieving them?
Kelsey: "Our future sustainability goals focus on reducing waste, expanding education and strengthening local food systems. We will complete a waste audit, reduce contamination in recycling and educate shoppers on proper disposal of common items. We also aim to implement a public-facing composting program supported by education and outreach. In addition, we will create and expand small business resources around sustainability best practices, enhance staff training on hazardous waste and grow our food access programs to support more families while investing in local farms. To ensure accountability, we will include environmental sustainability as a guiding lens in our next five-year strategic plan."
Do you encourage composting for your employees and/or customers? If so, how?
Kelsey: "Yes, we encourage composting for both employees and customers. Through our participation in the commercial composting program, composting services are available to staff and market businesses that generate food-prep waste. We have also partnered with Waste Connections, who lead composting and recycling activities as part of our Kids Produce Pals program, teaching children about proper waste management and sustainability. Looking ahead, we plan to expand composting opportunities for customers through a public-facing program supported by education and outreach."
What have you done to reduce the use of hazardous or dangerous waste in your workplace?
Kelsey: "We have taken steps to reduce the use of hazardous or dangerous waste by learning about proper disposal methods and identifying the common hazardous items used or found at the market. We rely on online resources to ensure accurate information on safe disposal and share these resources with all staff to promote consistent, responsible practices."
How has Vancouver Farmer's Market embraced reuse?
Kelsey: "We purchase equipment and office supplies secondhand and repair equipment whenever possible to extend its life. At the market, we sell reusable bags for shoppers and host workshops for market businesses on how to accept and encourage reusables. We also connect businesses with Clark County Public Health to ensure they have the resources and guidance to accept reusables safely and in compliance with regulations."
Share a challenge that your organization had to overcome on your path to sustainability and describe strategies that led you to success.
Kelsey: "One of the ongoing challenges we face in our sustainability journey is managing waste at the market. With over 500,000 shoppers annually, a significant amount of waste is generated and contamination in recycling is common. To address this, we have set goals to educate shoppers through clear signage and partnerships for outreach. Our food access and gleaning programs also depend on strong community partnerships, and being part of the Green Business Network has been invaluable in helping us learn from and connect with others committed to sustainability."
To learn more about the VFM, visit their Green Business listing here.