Coming Soon -- National Farmers' Market Week

Now that more and more crops are coming in, it's definitely time to head out to your local farmers' market.

In fact, soon it will be National Farmers' Market Week.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed a proclamation in July declaring Aug. 7-13 as "National Farmers Market Week." This year marks the 17th annual National Farmers Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers markets play in local economies.

"Farmers markets are an important part of strong local and regional food systems that connect farmers with new customers and grow rural economies. In many areas, they are also expanding access to fresh, healthy food for people of all income levels," said Vilsack. "National Farmers Market Week recognizes the growth of these markets and their role in supporting both urban and rural communities."

Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. 

On Saturday, Aug. 6, Elanor Starmer, the Administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support local and regional food systems – will kick off the week visiting a farmers market and wrap up the week at USDA's own farmers market in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Aug. 12.

"Farmers markets are a gathering place where you can buy locally produced food, and at the same time, get to know the farmer and story behind the food you purchase," said Starmer. "These types of markets improve earning potential for farmers and ranchers, building stronger community ties and access to local foods."

FreshConnect Checks Can Be Used at Winter Farmers' Markets

Consumers are being reminded that FreshConnect Checks are being accepted at participating winter farmers' markets for the first time.

The program, which increases the purchasing power of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits used at farmers' markets, was extended yearround and now provides low-income families the chance to use the checks 12 months a year.

Twelve winter markets are participating in the FreshConnect program, with more expected to join in coming weeks.

**   Ithaca Farmers’ Market (Tompkins County)

**  Otsiningo Farmers’ Market  (Broome County)

**  Kingston Farmers’ Market (Ulster County) 

**  Schenectady Greenmarket (Schenectady County)

**  Veggie Mobile (Capital Region)

**  SUNY Plaza Farmers’ Market (Albany County)

**  Empire Plaza (Albany County)

**  Oneida County Public Market (Oneida County)

**  Foodlink  (Monroe County)

**  Rochester Public Market (Monroe County)

**  South Wedge Farmers’ Market (Monroe County)

**  Brighton Farmers’ Market  (Monroe County)

More than 150,000 checks already have been issued to 180 sites across the state to help eligible New Yorkers access healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, during the 2015 traditional farmers' market season.

Additional checks will be issued through the winter so even more consumers can be reached..

The FreshConnect Checks program encourages recipients to use their SNAP benefits at participating farmers' markets. The checks provide $2 incentives for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP consumers by 40 percent.

In 2014, more than $3.2 million in SNAP sales occurred at farmers' markets throughout the state.

The FreshConnect Program was launched by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2011 and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  FreshConnect-funded projects aim to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Winter Farmers' Markets Open for Business

Even though there is snow on the ground and it's cold doesn't mean farmers' markets are closed.

A number of sites across the state are open during the winter.

For example: The Chaumont Volunteer Fire Department is conducting an eight-week winter farmers market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays from Jan. 31 through March 20.

The department, at 11385 Route 12E, will hold the indoor market for the third straight year. Among other things, the market will feature fresh produce, baked goods and wines from area wineries. The department also will offer lunch specials.

For more information or to sign up as a vendor, contact Heather Jackson at 777-5442 or Holly Rubacha at 783-2838.

for more information on winter farmers' markets, go to http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/winter-markets/ and search by county.

National Farmers' Market Week is Aug. 2-8

A farmers' market in the U.S.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2 through 8 as "National Farmers' Market Week." 

This year marks the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the important role farmers' markets play in local economies. Throughout the week,the U.S. Department of Agriculture will celebrate thousands of our nation's farmers' markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them.

Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Anne Alonzo, administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support farmers markets – will kick off the week at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is the oldest in New Mexico and is ranked as one of the top 10 farmers' markets nationwide.

To find a summer farmers' market near you, go to http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/summer-markets/

Farmers' markets provide consumers with fresh, affordable, convenient and healthy products from local producers. With support from USDA, more farmers' markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program; and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.

Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems.

Potsdam Farmers' Market Seeks Vendors

The Potsdam Farmers’ Market is seeking vendors for its season that begins May 9 in Ives Park.

Vendor applications can be obtained at www.thepotsdamfarmersmarket.org , under the “Become a Vendor” tab. Rules for the market are available there as well.

The market is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 31. There is also potential for a Wednesday market held at the same times.   

The pre-season meeting is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18 in the 2^nd floor community room at the Potsdam Civic Center. All interested are welcome to attend. Vendors can hand in their application, necessary paperwork and vendor fee at that time. 

The full season vendor fee is $60 if paid by May 1, $70 if paid after May 1, $120 for double stall and $15 for a single day set-up.

Farmers, meat-producers, value-added (wine, baked goods, jams, jellies, etc.) and handmade crafters are welcome as vendors.  On-site food sales are also welcome, with proper health department standards followed. 

For any questions regarding the market, please contact Laura Popielski, Market Manager at thepotsdamfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call (716) 725-7782.

Check Out the Winter Farmers' Markets

From the governor's office:

Even though it's winter, you still can go to a farmers' market.

The locations of 116 winter farmers' markets --an all-time high number in New York state -- can now be found on the state's open data website at Open.ny.gov .

This comprehensive data website will help provide New Yorkers with a user-friendly way to search for farmers' markets near their homes this winter.

The number of winter farmers' markets in the sate has grown 190 percent since 2007. 

2007-08 -- 40 winter markets
2008-09 -- 60
2009-10 -- 87 
2010-11 -- 87
2011-12 -- 94
2012-13 -- 110 
2013-14 -- 116

While consumers will have more selection at farmers' markets during the spring, summer and fall growing season, winter markets offer a variety of choices, such as potatoes, onions, cabbage, winter greens such as kale and chard, wreaths and Christmas trees. 

The Winter Farmers' Market Dataset includes information detailing the hours of operation and location of community markets as well as the name and phone number of the manager. 

Winter Farmers’ Markets List: https://data.ny.gov/d/3tmh-kuni
Winter Farmers’ Markets Map: https://data.ny.gov/d/88k7-ujm4

To confirm the hours and location before traveling, contact the local market.

Desire for Locally Grown Food Helps to Drive Farm Growth

Cool story from The Buffalo News during National Farmers' Market Week.

Go to http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130727%2FBUSINESS%2F130729196%2F1003 to check it out.

Visit a Farmers' Market During National Farmers' Market Week

This is from the Farmers Market Coalition

It's National Farmers' Market Week.

Please visit a farmers' market and buy some fresh vegetable, fruits and other goods. It not only helps you, but it helps the farmers and the local economy.

The week is Aug. 4-10.

National Farmers' Market Week Begins Sunday

National Farmers' Market Week runs from Aug. 4-10.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is kicking off the week with an announcement Saturday at a Washington D.C. market of how many markets are registered in the 2013 National Farmers' Market Directory.

Go to http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/Accessible.aspx to search the Farmers Market Directory. Once at this site, you can plug in where you live by zip code and how many miles you are willing to travel. Hit search and a great list of farmers' markets will pop up, telling you what is sold there, where they are located and hours of operation and if they take WIC, SNAP or credit cards.

The full Farmers Market Directory, which can be found  farmersmarkets.usda.gov at this link, also identifies new farmers' markets, the states with the highest number of markets in operation and the total number of farmers' markets that have registered throughout the United States.

The number of farmers' markets in the United States and New York state is increasing. The USDA stated there were 6,132 farmers markets in the country in 2010, 7,175 in 2011 and 7,864 in 2012.

In New York, there were 575 farmers' markets in 2012, 520 farmers’ markets in 2011 and 500 in 2000. Diane Eggert, executive director of the Farmers' Market Federation of New York based in Fayetteville, said the 2013 count is more than 600. 

And just think, in 2000 there were a mere 235 farmers’ markets in the state.

The new updated National Farmers Market Directory lists 8,144 farmers markets, up from about 5,000 in 2008. 

Farmers' market managers voluntarily supply their market information to the USDA directory providing a snap shot of the number of markets that have registered with the directory.

Farmers' markets are important not only to the farmers selling their goods, but they also are key to consumers. The whole locavore or buy local movement — people who want to buy food grown locally — has pushed the number of farmers’ markets and those buying at farmers’ markets into the stratosphere.

10 Reasons to Take Children to Farmers' Markets

One of the best things I've read in a looooong time.

All parents should cut this out and put it on the fridge.

Go to http://farmersmarkets.streamshare.com/posts/4259 to see the story.