{"id":26711,"date":"2022-08-05T10:00:54","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T14:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=26711"},"modified":"2022-08-02T14:44:05","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T18:44:05","slug":"celebrate-maryland-farmers-market-week-august-7-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2022\/08\/05\/celebrate-maryland-farmers-market-week-august-7-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Week August 7-13"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Visit a Local Farmers\u2019 Market for Fresh, In-Season Produce<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 5, 2022)<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Governor Larry Hogan has declared August 7-13 as Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Week<\/a> to recognize the 97 farmers markets across the state that provide citizens with access to fresh, local produce and other Maryland-made items. Celebrate Maryland Farmers\u2019 Market Week by visiting a nearby market and buying local products. For current locations throughout the state, please check out the 2022 <\/span>Maryland Farmers Market Directory.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland farmers\u2019 markets provide fresh local produce, meats and other locally-sourced products throughout the state,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cThese farmers work tirelessly to provide nutritious and delicious ingredients for Maryland families and businesses. This week and beyond, let\u2019s show our appreciation for Maryland growers and producers by buying fresh produce and other items at a local market.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

In Maryland, there is at least one farmers\u2019 market in every county and Baltimore City. Each market is an important economic driver for the state\u2019s agriculture industry. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) census data, farmers\u2019 markets generate $2.4 billion dollars in sales for American farmers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Farmers who sell directly to consumers are more likely to stay in business and grow their operations. According to the <\/span>USDA Economic Research Service<\/span><\/a>, local food systems generate 13 farm operator jobs per $1 million in sales, compared to only three jobs for those that do not sell locally. Therefore, buying locally is not just beneficial for Maryland growers and producers, it is good for the entire community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hundreds of Maryland farmers and producers participate annually in MDA\u2019s Farmers\u2019 Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Women, Infants, Children (WIC) and Seniors. Over half of all Maryland markets also participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). MDA also provides an annual grant of $200,000 to organizations that provide matching dollars to these federal nutrition programs at farmers markets. These programs help expand access for low-income Marylanders to be able to purchase fresh produce at Maryland farmers\u2019 markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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