Upcoming Farmers Market Week Events
By: Jen O'Brien Cheek Posted On: August 1, 2014
To kick-off National Farmers Market Week, the Farmers Market Coalition will announce the winners of their 2014 Poster Contest at the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market on Sunday, August 3rd. For the past month, farmers markets from all corners of the country entered their original posters into FMC’s contest for a chance to win $2,500 in prizes. In addition to offering prizes for first and second place, Wholesome Wave has partnered with FMC to sponsor a prize for the poster that best promotes its EBT and/or incentive program. The entries depict the unique and beautiful bounty created by local farmers and entrepreneurs across the nation, and can be viewed online at: http://on.fb.me/1rQnHYa.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack declared August 3rd through 9th of 2014 National Farmers Market Week to bring attention to the nation’s more than 8,100 farmers markets, the farmers who make them possible and the communities that host them. FMC welcomes the opportunity to highlight the important role markets play in America. Buying fresh food from your local farmers market does more than impact your personal health—that purchase supports the livelihood of local farmers, your local economy and environment. Farmers markets are strengthening communities and shifting the whole food system in a positive direction. To commemorate the occasion, FMC will be visiting farmers markets and hosting events all week—join in the National Farmers Market Week celebration at the following markets:
Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market, Sunday August 3, 10:00am:
(20th St. NW between Massachusetts Ave. and Hillyer Pl.)
FMC President and FRESHFARM Markets Co-Executive Director Bernadine Prince will announce the winners of FMC’s 2014 Poster Contest, and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Agricultural Economist Jeffrey O’Hara will introduce a new UCS report on the health benefits of farmers markets and how federal farm policies encourage the production of healthy food and spur economic development.
FRESHFARM Market near the White House, 10:30am:
(810 Vermont Ave. NW between H St. NW and I St. NW)
The United States Postal Service is holding a First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony for their new, limited edition Farmers Market Forever Stamps! FMC will be onsite, with giveaways and winning posters on display.
USDA Farmers Market, 10:00am-noon:
(USDA parking lot, corner of 12th Street & Independence Avenue, S.W.)
Find the FMC booth at the market, where Poster Contest winners will be on display, and tattoos, tote bags and stickers will be given away.
Here’s a sneak peak of one of the poster contest winners– Nourish Knoxville won the Fan Favorite category by getting a whopping 803 likes on facebook! Congratulations to Knoxville’s Market Square Farmers Market!