Seven Days, Seven Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

      Posted On: August 5, 2011

For Immediate Release
Contact : Elizabeth Comiskey
877-362-0553
info@farmersmarketcoalition.org

August 5, 2011

Farmers Market Coalition Announces Daily Opportunities to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week with Themed Media Kit

Every day this summer, communities are converging to celebrate a simple miracle: farmers coming together to share a harvest that’s feeding local families.  The result?  More viable regional economies; increased access to fresh, nutritious food; and stronger social networks that help keep communities healthy.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently proclaimed August 7-13, 2011 as National Farmers Market Week.  Since 2000, when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first proclaimed National Farmers Market Week, the number of farmers markets has grown 150%, from 2,863 in 2000 to 7,175 in 2011.  As these numbers increase, farmers markets are bolstering local economies, improving community health, and bringing diverse groups of people together through a shared social space.

Across the country, farmers markets will be celebrating National Farmers Market Week through special events, contests, cooking demonstrations, tastings, and much more. The Farmers Market Coalition, a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets, is joining one of its members, the Oregon City Farmers Market, on August 6th to launch the start of Farmers Market Week.

A press release for each day can be accessed by following the links below. For a complete packet of press releases for each day of National Farmers Market Week, please contact Elizabeth Comiskey at liz@farmersmarketcoalition.org.

Seven Days, Seven Ways to Celebrate Farmers Market Impacts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

During each day of National Farmers Market Week, the Farmers Market Coalition will celebrate a theme and highlight the accomplishments of stand-out markets in towns across America.

“As a producer-only market, we support the growth of sustainable agricultural businesses and promote food security by encouraging the consumption of locally grown fresh food,” says Oregon City Farmers Market Manager Jackie Hammond-Williams.  Her market is one of more than 60 farmers markets in Oregon that redeem Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits, increasing access to healthful foods for those in need.

“Farmers markets grow healthy farms, healthy people, and healthy communities,” says Stacy Miller, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC). “During Farmers Market Week, FMC invites everyone to celebrate the power of farmers markets to teach new skills, improve public health, grow viable local economies, give farmers a seat at the table, feed families in need, grow social capital, and inspire a new generation of farmers.”

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 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:

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.