Farmers Market Coalition

For Immediate Release
Contact : Stacy Miller
304-685-2669
info@farmersmarketcoalition.org

August 11, 2011

Farmers Market Coalition Celebrates Fresh Food Equity During National Farmers Market Week

This summer, nationwide participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is at a record high of approximately 45 million Americans.  Fortunately, the families relying on this and other programs to put food on the table have a friend in farmers markets, where an increasing number of low-income consumers are purchasing locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

In 2010, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) redeemed more than $7.4 million in benefits at farmers markets. This represents more than a 70% growth in one year.   In the past five years, the number of farmers markets accepting SNAP benefits has increased 263%.  At least one hundred of these farmers markets are in what the USDA Economic Research Service considers food deserts.

This week, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 7-13, 2011 as National Farmers Market Week.  Since 2000, the number of farmers markets has grown 150%, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to 7,175 in 2011.  Along with such growth comes inspiring innovation at the local level designed to ensure that farmers markets are making quality food available to all members of a community.

• Nationwide, 2.1 million WIC mothers and 840,000 low-income seniors were able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers at thousands of farmers markets in 2010 through the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
• Farmers at seven farmers markets participating in New York City’s Health Bucks Program donated 48,000 pounds of fresh, local, quality produce to city food banks in 2010.
• The Midtown Farmers Market in Minneapolis, like many across the U.S., saw the number of SNAP clients buying fresh, local food more than double between 2009 and 2010.
• Research in Vermont, Iowa, New Orleans, and Seattle indicates that, pound-for-pound, many fresh fruits and vegetables are actually less expensive at farmers markets than at grocery stores.
• Farmers at the Columbia Farmers Market in Missouri annually donate 8,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to the Central Missouri Food Bank
• In 2010, SNAP transactions at New York City Greenmarkets exceeded $500,000. Alexis Stevens, EBT Project Manager at Greenmarket, says “EBT has become a critical supplement to farmers who depend on these markets for survival, as some farmers reported that EBT sales comprise 25% to 50% of their total income.”

“Farmers markets are an oasis in areas otherwise underserved by fresh food retailers,” says Sharon Yeago, President of the Farmers Market Coalition.  “And they’re a bargain, especially for products at the height of the season.  During National Farmers Market Week, FMC invites Americans to celebrate a local food system that’s increasingly accessible to everyone.”

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Seven Days, Seven Ways to Celebrate Farmers Market Impacts

Sunday, August 7^th: Farmers markets and community education
Innovative partnerships that allow markets to serve as hubs of information

Monday, August 8^th: Farmers markets and public health
Promoting good nutrition and healthful habits

Tuesday, August 9^th : Farmers markets as economic engines
Business incubation, job development, and local spending

Wednesday, August 10^th: Farmers at the center of the system
Governance and policies that put farmers first

Thursday, August 11^th: Farmers markets and food equity
Improving access to healthful foods in underserved neighborhoods

Friday, August 12^th: Farmers markets and civic engagement
Growing social capital and engaging volunteers

Saturday, August 13^th: Farmers markets and rural renewal
Supporting agricultural diversity and farm viability, while inspiring a new generation of producers

All farmers markets are worthy of celebration, not only during National Farmers Market Week, but throughout the year.  The following diverse mix of markets are being recognized during National Farmers Market Week 2011 for their innovation and demonstrated success in serving farmers, consumers, and communities:

• Oregon City Farmers Market, OR  
• Port Townsend Farmers Market, WA
• Morton Grove Farmers Market, IL
• Columbia Farmers Market, MO
• Easton Farmers’ Market, PA
• Chewelah Farmers Market, WA
• Hub City Farmers Market, Spartanburg, SC
• Fayetteville Farmers’ Market, AR
• Skowhegan Farmers’ Market, ME
• Lawrence Farmers Market, KS
• Fulton Street Farmers Market, Grand Rapids, MI
• Historic Lewes Farmers Market, DE

Click on the links above to learn more about the ways each of these markets are creating lasting positive change in their communities.

The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities.  Learn more at FarmersMarketCoalition.org.

This summer, nationwide participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is at a record high of approximately 45 million Americans.  Fortunately, the families relying on this and other programs to put food on the table have a friend in farmers markets, where an increasing number of low-income consumers are purchasing locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. 

In 2010, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) redeemed more than $7.4 million in benefits at farmers markets. This represents more than a 70% growth in one year.   In the past five years, the number of farmers markets accepting SNAP benefits has increased 263%.  At least one hundred of these farmers markets are in what the USDA Economic Research Service considers food deserts.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 7-13, 2011 as National Farmers Market Week.  Since 2000, the number of farmers markets has grown 150%, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to 7,175in 2011.  Along with such growth comes inspiring innovation at the local level designed to ensure that farmers markets are making quality food available to all members of a community.  

·         Nationwide, 2.1 million WIC mothers and 840,000 low-income seniors were able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers at thousands of farmers markets in 2010 through the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.

·         Farmers at seven farmers markets participating in New York City’s Health Bucks Programdonated 48,000 pounds of fresh, local, quality produce to city food banks in 2010.

• Farmers at the Columbia Farmers Market in Missouri annually donate 8,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to the Central Missouri Food Bank
• In 2010, SNAP transactions at New York City Greenmarkets exceeded $500,000. Alexis Stevens, EBT Project Manager at Greenmarket, says “EBT has become a critical supplement to farmers who depend on these markets for survival, as some farmers reported that EBT sales comprise 25% to 50% of their total income.”

·         The Midtown Farmers Market in Minneapolis, like many across the U.S., saw the number of SNAP clients buying fresh, local food more than double between 2009 and 2010.

·         Research in Vermont, Iowa, New Orleans, and Seattle indicates that, pound-for-pound, many fresh fruits and vegetables are actually less expensive at farmers markets than at grocery stores.

“Farmers markets are an oasis in areas otherwise underserved by fresh food retailers,” says Sharon Yeago, President of the Farmers Market Coalition.  “And they’re a bargain, especially for products at the height of the season.  During National Farmers Market Week, FMC invites Americans to celebrate a local food system that’s increasingly accessible to everyone.”