Notes from town square: National Farmers Market Week

This week is National Farmers Market Week. On June 10, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture declared Aug. 2-8, National Farmers Market Week. The U. S. Department of Agriculture recognizes the myriad benefits of farmers markets for producers and consumers and is committed to support the continued success of farmers markets through grants, technical assistance and more.

Farmers markets are important outlets for agricultural producers nationwide, providing them with increased opportunities to meet consumer demand for a variety of fresh, affordable, convenient and healthy products sold directly from the farm.

Farmers markets encourage more healthful eating habits by providing fresh produce, milk, eggs, and other options that aren’t readily available in grocery stores.

They also serve as an educational opportunity to teach the public, and especially our children, about how food is raised.

Farmers markets provide local merchants the opportunity to reach out the community and let them know they are here. Farmers markets encourage home based businesses to branch out and can even be the catalyst to get a home business into a storefront.

This helps to diversify and enrich our local economy by teaching people to shop at locally.

Farmers markets also serve as a regular community event, getting people out of the house and giving them an opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors.

The Green River Farmers Market started in 2008 and has grown by leaps and bounds since then. We are very proud to be the host of a thriving farmers market for our community, and look forward to continued success for the remainder of the season.

 

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