The Jefferson County Farmers Market recognizes that their markets are located on indigenous tribal lands. They pledge to actively welcome and include Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) vendors, shoppers and community members. They have established an Equity Committee and a BIPOC Start-up Business Fund to increase representation and participation of BIPOC vendors and shoppers. The goal is to build inclusive markets that support BIPOC owned businesses and welcome all community members.

1. Equity Statement
Jefferson County Farmers Markets recognizes that our farmers markets, local farms, and
community sit on the traditional land of the Jamestown S’Klallam, the Lower Elwah Klallam, the
Port Gamble S’Klallam, the Skokomish, the Quinault, the Quileute, the Hoh, and the Makah
Tribes. In alignment with our mission, we pledge to actively welcome and include BIPOC
vendors, shoppers, and community members and remove barriers that prevent them from
participating in our farmers markets. As a predominantly white-led non-profit organization, we
understand that it is the work of white people to reflect and dismantle any unjust policies and
practices that hinder the inclusion of BIPOC community members at the farmers markets. We
also understand the essential role of BIPOC voices in this conversation and actively seek to listen
and collaborate with our BIPOC peers. We stand in support of BIPOC folx who have been
disproportionately impacted by racism and white supremacy.
The Jefferson County Farmers Market (JCFM) is committed to extending our food
access, business incubation, and community education work towards racial equity. We have
established an Equity Committee which consists of the farmers market manager, vendors, JCFM
board members, and dedicated community members. The goal of the Equity Committee is to
support the mission of JCFM as it pertains to racial justice, namely increasing representation and
participation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) vendors and shoppers at our
markets. The first initiative of the Equity Committee is the creation of a BIPOC Start-up
Business Fund to provide financial assistance to new BIPOC vendors that need support to start a
new market business. Financial assistance from this fund could be used to cover vendor fees, the
cost of necessary market materials (a canopy, sign, tables, etc.), health permits, etc. In addition to
the establishment of the Equity Committee and the BIPOC Start-up Business Fund, JCFM plans
to participate in anti-racist training that is currently being developed with support from the
Jefferson Community Foundation and the Jefferson Land Trust. Through these initiatives, JCFM
aims to build a strong framework within our organization to actively acknowledge the essential
role of BIPOC folx in our community and provide equitable access for their prosperity at our
markets.
JCFM is founded on the belief that community health, happiness, and resilience is
predicated on direct connections between farmers, artisans, and community members. This
connection necessitates inclusion of farmers, artisans, and community members from all
backgrounds and walks of life. JCFM acknowledges the history of racism and colonialism that
disproportionately excludes BIPOC folx from land ownership, education, and many other
resources necessary to thrive in our region and across the country. Together, as an organization
and a community, we will confront these barriers and build inclusive Jefferson County Farmers
Markets that support the growth of BIPOC owned businesses, welcome all BIPOC shoppers,
and nourish our community with locally grown food and locally made products.