Seven Days, Seven Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week
Posted On: July 30, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Comiskey
877-362-0553
info@farmersmarketcoalition.org
August 3, 2012
Farmers Market Coalition Announces Day by Day 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 proclaimed August 5th through 11th, 2012 as National Farmers Market Week. Since 2000, when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first proclaimed National Farmers Market Week, the number of recorded farmers markets has grown over 170%, from 2,863 in 2000 to more than 7,800 in 2012. 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. 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. Members of the media are invited to use any or all of the daily press releases as they see fit.
- Sunday, August 5th: Farmers markets and community education
Innovative partnerships that allow markets to serve as hubs of information
- Monday, August 6th: Farmers markets and public health
Promoting good nutrition and healthful habits
- Tuesday, August 7th : Farmers markets as economic engines
Business incubation, job development, and local spending
- Wednesday, August 8th: Farmers at the center of the system
Governance and policies that put farmers first
- Thursday, August 9th: Farmers markets and food equity
Improving access to healthful foods in underserved neighborhoods
- Friday, August 10th: Farmers markets and civic engagement
Growing social capital and engaging volunteers
- Saturday, August 11th: Farmers markets and rural renewal
Supporting agricultural diversity and farm viability, while inspiring a new generation of producers
In honor of National Farmers Market Week 2012, the Farmers Market Coalition is hosting the Farmers Market Inspiration Award. For a grand prize of $1,000, farmers/producers at farmers markets from all corners of the nation are invited to submit essays that depict concrete examples of how farmers markets have impacted their lives and businesses. The deadline for entries is August 11th, the last day of Farmers Market week. This award is a partnership between the Farmers Market Coalition and Growing for Market, conducted in concert with the American Farmland Trust’s America’s Favorite Farmers Market Contest.
“Farmers markets grow healthy farms, healthy people, and healthy communities,” says Stacy Miller, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “Through this first time ever award, FMC wants to collect and share stories showcasing the variety of ways farmers markets benefit communities across the United States, as told throughout the lens of those who grow and sell America’s freshest food. During National Farmers Market Week , we encourage 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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For a complete packet of press releases for each day of National Farmers Market Week, please contact Elizabeth Comiskey at liz@farmersmarketcoalition.org.
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.
