Benjamin Zimmerman

Devoted farmers market manager with 15+ years experience in the field(s), with a hands-on approach to promoting local growers and expanding local food access to all. Experienced in working with local, state & national partners to expand & improve market reach and accessibility.

* Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, , March 2023 – December 2023
$1,000 grant secured to fund new signage, advertisements and promotional materials for our relocation in 2023. Funds used to update road signage, listings in local publications, etc for the 2023 season.

* Pandemic Response & Safety Grant from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, , January 2022 – January 2023
Secured a $6,000 grant to help cover the costs of remaining open and operating safely during the pandemic years. The Westside Community Market's safety protocols and operating practices were used as a model for other markets around the state by the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association.

* Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, , January 2021 – December 2021
$1,000 grant secured to update signage at our previous location and cover the costs of safety measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Willy Street Co-op, Madison, WI, May 2020 – November 2020
Donation secured from the Willy Street Co-op to fund an updated card reader for the market to continue providing FoodShare access to our customers into our 8th season of FoodShare acceptance.

* Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, WI, September 2012 – September 2015
Funding for the purchase of mobile Point of Sale (POS) device to enable the market to process FoodShare benefits via Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. After becoming a certified retailer through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the purchase of a card reader opened up access to fresh, locally produced foods to recipients of federal food assistance.