In 2011 the Market received a grant to Backyard Growers program which was piloted in 2010 and is now ready to expand to a larger area. The goal of the program is to create clusters of growers that support and encourage each other to help 'shift the culture of how people access food.' Fund are used to support a coordinator.

The group received a grant in 2010 to give Cape Ann youth an opportunity to sell quality, handcrafted products at the market that focus on traditional materials and techniques and/or creative reuse and recycling ideas. CAFM's focus is on youth engaging in creative projects that raise their awareness about local and global environmental issues, having the youth donate a percentage of their earnings to an environmental cause of their choice, youth engaging in reciprocal learning opportunities with mentors at the market, and using YET (Youth Entrepreneurs Tent) to enhance the vibrancy and community spirit of the market. Through CAF's partnership with Cape Ann Art Haven and Cape Ann Business Incubator, youth will have the artistic guidance and entrepreneurship training needed to make the project successful.

The Cape Ann Farmers Market received a grant in 2008 to building strategic partnerships to educate and foster sustainable food and energy models on Cape Ann. Three community building elements of the Market to expand include education, children's activities and cooking demonstrations to be organized with partners such as the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance to promote community supported fisheries and the cap Ann Energy Network whose primary goal is to engage community in regional planning on alternative energy for Cape Ann.