{"id":24607,"date":"2020-07-31T13:49:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T17:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=24607"},"modified":"2020-08-04T15:20:36","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T19:20:36","slug":"celebrate-maryland-farmers-market-week-aug-2-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2020\/07\/31\/celebrate-maryland-farmers-market-week-aug-2-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Week Aug. 2-8"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Visit a Local Farmers Market for Fresh, In-Season Produce<\/i><\/strong><\/h2>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD <\/b>\u2013 Governor Larry Hogan has declared Aug. 2-8 as <\/span>Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Week<\/span><\/a> to coincide with the annual National Farmers\u2019 Market Week celebration. The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages citizens to participate by visiting farmers\u2019 markets and buying local products. Find a farmers\u2019 market near you by visiting the <\/span>Maryland’s Best<\/span><\/a> website.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince the beginning of the COVID-19 State of Emergency, farmers\u2019 markets have been considered essential, working vigorously to remain open while also ensuring the health and safety of their customers and vendors,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cNow more than ever, it is important to support our Maryland farmers\u2019 markets and their vendors who have helped keep food on the table. This week and beyond, we encourage Marylanders to buy their fresh produce and other items directly from Maryland growers and producers at farmers\u2019 markets across the state.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As a primary source of nutrition in some communities, many farmers\u2019 markets around Maryland have remained open with protocols in place to promote social distancing, environmental cleaning, and sanitation. Before heading to your local market, please check with individual markets for the most current information on their hours and updated safety protocols.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are currently 91 farmers\u2019 markets operating in Maryland, including at least one in each county and Baltimore City. Each market is an important economic driver for the state\u2019s agriculture industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced a growing trend of consumer demand for farmers\u2019 markets as more people are looking for alternatives to shopping at the grocery store.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These markets include hundreds of Maryland farmers and producers who participate annually in the Farmers\u2019 Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Women, Infants, Children (WIC) and Seniors. Nearly half 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 produce at Maryland farmers\u2019 markets. More information on which farmers markets accept these benefits can be found in the <\/span>2020 Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Directory<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some statistics about Maryland farmers markets:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n