Six Maryland Farmers Markets Win in Annual National Farmers Market Contest

Six Maryland farmers markets placed in the top 15 of their respective categories in the America’s Favorite Farmers MarketsTM Contest, an annual competition held by American Farmland Trust (AFT). The purpose of the contest “is to raise national awareness about local farmers markets, the role they play in supporting local farms, and the importance of protecting American farmland.”  The winners are organized by market size – with four categories, from small to large.

“We in Maryland have long known that our farmers markets are among the best in the country and now they have been recognized nationally by the consumers who patronize them,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “I congratulate all 150 farmers markets across Maryland that provide our citizens with fresh, locally grown products they may not have been able to receive from chain grocery stores. We are particularly proud of the six markets that have been recognized by their customers.”

Maryland markets placed in three of the four categories. The highest placing market was the Baltimore Farmers Market & Bazaar, the largest market in the state, which placed in the top five in the Large Market category (i.e., 56 vendors or more).

The 32nd Street/Waverly Farmers Market and Cheverly Community Market placed sixth and seventh in the Small Market category (15 or fewer vendors). In the mid-size category (16 to 30 vendors), Friday Night Farmers Market in North Beach placed sixth, the Chestertown Farmers Market placed eighth, and West Frederick Farmers Market placed 12th. Click herefor a full listing of results by category.

For the contest, the AFT asked consumer to vote online for their favorite farmers market between June 22 and September 3. According to contest rules, people could vote for as many participating farmers markets as they wanted, but could only vote for each market once. The contest included all 7,175 markets that are listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers Market Directory.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) publishes an annual print and online directory of farmers markets. More than 150 markets across the state are registered withMaryland’s Best, a website that allows consumers to easily find Maryland products and market near them.

For more information on farmer’s markets in your area, visit www.marylandsbest.net or call 410-841-5770. Click here for more about the contest.

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