Reports
The Common Market is dedicated to strengthening regional food systems, developing fair wholesale markets, improving public health and food access and promoting the viability of small and mid-scale farms.
When we complete research projects, we hope to leverage the impact of our work by sharing our experiences with others. We encourage you to download and share these reports and resources widely.
Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food Systems to Transform Communities
From the Ground Up: Inspiring Community-based Food System Innovations
Good Food For All Procurement Primers
The Good Food For All Collaborative (GFFA) has created a series of primers that exemplify our vision for an equitable food system and demonstrate how procurement policies can create transformational change. The five key principles are: A Strong Local Economy; Environmental Sustainability; A Valued Food Industry Workforce; Animal Welfare; and High Nutritional Quality.
To learn more visit The Power of Procurement.
Needs of Black Farmers on the Delmarva Penninsula
This report is the product of research and work with allies in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia to understand the crops, limitations and future plans of African American farmers on the Delmarva Peninsula. The assessment report outlines the history of African American and Delmarva Peninsula agriculture, crop and demographic data, examples of successful initiatives, and recommendations for black farmers and supporting organizations.
Concept Paper for a National Network of Local Food Distributors
After 8 years of operations in Philadelphia, The Common Market began exploring opportunities to expand our impact by replicating our model in new markets. This concept paper lays out our rationale and the beginning of a 5 year expansion plan, which will enable us to leverage our infrastructure, assets and relationships to benefit food access, public health and sustainable agriculture across the country.
Health and Wealth in Your Region: Anchor Institutions and Regional Procurement
Universities, schools and hospitals anchor towns as economic engines and social services providers. In this brief, we lay out out how anchor institutions can spur regional economic development and public health by using their food procurement dollars to buy sustainable food grown in their region.
Overcoming Obstacles to Local Frozen Produce: Matching Production Mode to Market Niche
Local food all year round? It is possible! In this report, we showcase our demand side and supply side research that led to developing a “source identified,” fresh-cut frozen product line, now distributed to cafeterias and grocery stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Good Food is Good Healthcare
A healthy, thriving community is proof of a successful hospital. In this pamphlet, we showcase successful farm-to-hospital interventions and lay out 7 simple ways for health care institutions to engage in good food as a link to community health.
First Food, Good Food
Can we bridge the “First Food” and “Good Food” movements to build healthier communities? The First Food Good Food Project of Common Market set out to better understand the key influencers of decision making for infant feeding options and personal eating habits in the Strawberry Mansion community of Philadelphia. Our goal was to better understand the local factors, attitudes, people, places, cultural nuances and perceptions that guide food choices throughout the life continuum— from how we feed our babies to how we feed ourselves.
The Common Market Business Plan
The Common Market began operations in July 2008. By 2010, it had sold over $500k of local farm product, serving primarily hospitals, schools and universities. We projected that The Common Market could be financially self-sustaining in 2011. In this business plan we took a fresh look at our model and present keys to success, risks, supply chain development and financial modeling.
The Common Market Feasibility Study
This study tests the premise that a values-driven wholesale distributor of food grown in the Philadelphia region can catalyze the necessary infrastructure to both supply the wholesale needs of the Philadelphia market and incentivize regional farmers to grow and sell more product regionally. This 240-page report includes all of The Common Market’s feasibility study methodology as well as supply- and demand-side interviews.
Newsletters
Check out the latest news and stories of our farmers, customers and impact.
The Common Market Newsletter - Winter 2017
The Common Market Georgia has a new warehouse, our Mid-Atlantic facility runs on 100% renewable energy for the 3rd year running, and achieves SQF, Level 2 - a globally bench-marked food safety standard!
The Common Market Newsletter - Fall 2016
Our "Good Food, Healthy Hospitals" team visited the White House, The Common Market Mid-Atlantic farms now all GAP Certified, and we started a new truck route to South Georgia.
The Common Market Newsletter - Summer 2016
We are excited to announce expansion of The Common Market into Atlanta, Georgia! At the same time, we are expanding distribution in the Mid-Atlantic to include the metro-Washington, D.C. region.
Indirect Expense Policy for Sub-grants and Contracts
The Common Market's policy for indirect expenses for sub-grants and contracts.