Marketumbrella is an online platform to support both vendors and shoppers.
Marketumbrella.org, based in New Orleans and centred around the Crescent City Farmer’s Market (CCFM), aims to ‘cultivate public markets for public good’ by bringing together vendors and shoppers in mutual support. The aim is preserve local culture whilst generating wealth and supporting the local community.
CCFM was originally established in 1995 in New Orleans’ downtown Warehouse District. It was so successful, the following year additional Farmer’s Markets were launched Uptown, Mid-City and in the French Quarter. In 2005 the organisation was rebranded as Marketumbrella.org.
In addition to the CCFM, components now include Peak Seasons Brigade to connect supply to demand; White Boot Brigade, the Louisiana shrimpers Market; Crescent fund to give circles based in Market communities; 4M Workshops to offer the models to other Markets; SEED – Sticky Economic Evaluation Device to measure economic impact; Crescentwrench, an online management tool; Go Fish on Film, a program to help fishers direct their efforts to the most promising markets; and Umbrella Stand, the soon-to-be-launched virtual Market.