{"id":21372,"date":"2017-08-07T13:25:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-07T17:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=21372"},"modified":"2017-08-07T13:29:13","modified_gmt":"2017-08-07T17:29:13","slug":"celebrate-national-farmers-market-week-in-maryland-august-6-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2017\/08\/07\/celebrate-national-farmers-market-week-in-maryland-august-6-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Maryland, August 6-12"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD <\/strong>\u2013 Governor Larry Hogan has declared August 6-12 as Farmers Market Week in Maryland to coincide with National Farmers Market Week. The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages citizens to celebrate the week by visiting farmers markets and buying local products. Search for a farmers market near you by visiting the Maryland’s Best<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

\u201cFarmers Market Week is a great opportunity for Marylanders to get a taste of fresh, nutritious food grown right here in the state,\u201d said Governor Hogan. \u201cBuying local is a great way to support our state\u2019s agriculture industry and promote sustainability. I encourage all Marylanders to celebrate this week with a visit to their local farmers market.\u201d<\/p>\n

The growing consumer demand for locally-grown products is evident at both the state and national level. The USDA\u2019s Agricultural Marketing Service began the National Farmers Market Directory in 1994. Since then, the number of markets voluntarily listed has grown from 1,755 to\u00a0more than 8,500 across the country.<\/p>\n

There are currently more than 140 farmers markets in Maryland\u2014including at least one in each county and Baltimore City. These markets are important economic drivers for the state\u2019s agriculture industry. Maryland farmers markets generated $53 million dollars in total sales, with more than 2.3 million consumers visiting the markets in 2016, according to a 2016 survey by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Farmers Market Association.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith growing demand for fresh, local products, Maryland farmers offer a variety of fresh produce at farmers markets across the state,\u201d said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cThese markets are an important source of income for our farm families, and provide an important link between the state\u2019s urban and rural communities. Buying directly from the farmer gives consumers an opportunity to learn more about farming and develop trust in the integrity and accountability of our growers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Approximately 400 Maryland farmers also participate annually in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Women, Infants, Children (WIC) and Seniors, and the WIC Fruit & Vegetable Check (FVC) Program. About a third of the markets also participate in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) \u2013 formerly known as food stamps. These programs help expand access for low-income Marylanders to be able to purchase fresh local produce at Maryland farmers markets.<\/p>\n

Some statistics about Maryland farmers markets:<\/p>\n