Farmers Market Week 2011 Press Release Template

• 2011 Press Release

How to use this release template

This is a template of a press release that farmers markets, market managers, farmers market associations, or other organizations representing farmers markets can use to announce their plans for National Farmers Market Week (August 7-13, 2011). A few things to note with this release:

-Tailor this release to your local market. FMC has indicated {in bold brackets} some suggestions where you should insert your own information, details, and statistics about your market (like number of vendors, sales figures, customer counts, age of market, special activities, etc). The press likes to have this information in hand to be able to quickly contextualize the story. Also, many states declare State Farmers Market Week (or month) to coincide with the national one. Check with your state agriculture department or governor’s office if your state is one of them.

-In the upper right, add a local contact name and contact information appropriate to your market.

-You can find information about how many markets are in your state and/or region from the USDA Farmers Market Directory, from your state farmers market association, or at www.localharvest.org.

- You can find out how many farmers markets in your state participate in WIC FMNP or Senior FMNP, as well as your state’s SNAP redemption at farmers markets.  We suggest including those numbers if applicable.

-There are talking points about how farmers markets benefit health, communities and the economy, as well as Q&A about farmers markets available at www.farmersmarketcoalition.org. Please feel free to use and reference these documents as you see fit.

-We encourage you to add a quote from your local market manager, executive director, or someone senior and prominent from your organization.The quote should reflect their excitement and optimism for your market.You are welcome to use Stacy’s quote from FMC to offer national context for your local story, if you see fit.

-For a better chance of attracting local press during Farmers Market Week, start sending this release out in mid-July. Follow up is critical, however. Contact your local press to make sure they have received the release, interest them in the story, and invite them to any special events you may be hosting.

-In addition to your press list, consider distributing this release to your supporters, customers, partners, and other friends of the market.

Good luck!

This press release template was developed with support from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.