National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. Always held during the first full week of August, this year’s celebration runs from August 6-12.
What is National Farmers Market Week?
Now in its 18th year, National Farmers Market allows farmers markets to:
- Showcase the impacts they make in their communities
- Preserve America’s rural livelihood and farmland
- Support healthy communities
- Promote sustainability
American farmers and ranchers receive only 15.6 cents of each dollar consumers spend on food. “It’s important for Americans to know that the food they buy directly from their local farmer isn’t just more flavorful, but that this business has a very real impact on the livelihoods of the men and women who produced that food,” says event sponsor Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) executive director Jen Cheek. “Farmers markets run on lean budgets and keep overheads low so that farmers can retain more of our food dollar.”
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The Benefits of Buying Local Food
Buying directly from farmers and ag-entrepreneurs has an outsized impact by helping diversify farm incomes and supporting other businesses by keeping more money in the local economy.In addition to being good for the farmers and convenient for consumers, farmers markets are gathering places that help build a sense of community.
Throughout the week, thousands of U.S. farmers markets will highlight the range of produce, fruit, meat, dairy and specialty products available from their local and regional farmers.
National Farmers Market Directory
Provided by the USDA, the National Farmers Market Directory (click to reach directory) makes it easy to locate farmers markets in towns and neighborhoods across the country. The Farmers Market Directory lists markets that feature two or more farm vendors selling agricultural products directly to customers at a common, recurrent physical location. Maintained by the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Directory is designed to provide customers with convenient access to information about farmers market listings to include: market locations, directions, operating times, product offerings, accepted forms of payment, and more.
Local Food Directories Page
The USDA also maintains a Local Food Directories page to find other operations other than farmers markets that offer locally grown products. If you are a market manager visit our Local Food Directory Registration & Update page to add or update a market listing.
Farmers Market Week Social Media Updates
Photos: SmallBusiness.com