Richmond Farmers Markets Celebrate Farmers Market Week

The members of the Capital Area Farmers Market Association join markets across the state and across the country in celebrating Virginia Farmers Market Week and National Farmers Market Week from August 6-12.

It’s during this week every year that we highlight the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system:

Farmers Markets Preserve America’s Rural Livelihoods and Farmland

• Farmers Markets provide beginning farmers a low-cost way to enter marketplace & grow their businesses. bit.ly/1JxwXga

• Farmers Markets protect farmland from development. 1 in 4 farmers at markets farm on protected land. bit.ly/1JxwXga

• According to USDA, farmers who sell at Farmers Markets are more likely to stay in business than those that don’t. bit.ly/1JxwXga

Farmers Markets Stimulate Local Economies

• Farmers & ranchers get only 15.6 cents on the dollar. At the farmers market they get the whole hog! bit.ly/2gK1Th8

• Farmers Markets stimulate economies. Markets generated ~$13 mil in South Carolina alone. bit.ly/1GVX10A

• Growers selling local create 13 farm jobs per $1 mil in revenue. Those not selling local create 3. bit.ly/1GVX10A

• Farmers Markets stimulate commerce & sales at nearby businesses. bit.ly/1GVX10A

Farmers Markets Increase Access to Fresh, Nutritious Food

• 80% in DC survey say food at Farmers Markets is often “fresher, cheaper, and healthier” than other food http://bit.ly/pQne9n

• Farmers Markets unaffordable? Myth. 3 studies show comparable or lower prices than at supermarkets. http://bit.ly/1ItE2wF

• 1.7 million low-income moms & kids got fresh local produce at farmers markets through WIC FMNP in 2015. http://1.usa.gov/1H0950R

• 818k low-income seniors got fresh local produce at Farmers Markets through Senior FMNP in 2015 http://1.usa.gov/1FRM1gN

• Farmers and shoppers reap benefits as states pass legislation that connects SNAP to Farmers,Markets http://bit.ly/1f1RD39

Farmers Markets Support Healthy Communities

• People eat more fruits and veggies when they shop at a farmers market instead of a grocery store http://bit.ly/oPrpYr

• Farmers Markets give farmers a place to sell their produce & educate shoppers on why food, agriculture & nutrition matter. http://bit.ly/p0zJlb

• People have more social encounters at farmers markets than grocery stores. http://bit.ly/1NwyFgd

• 3 in 5 farmers selling at Farmers Markets educate shoppers about nutrition and food prep. http://bit.ly/1FRMGPl

Farmers Markets Promote Sustainability

• 3 in 4 farmers selling at FarmersMarkets use practices consistent w/ or above organic standards. http://bit.ly/1U9drd5

• Help the environment, shop at Farmers Markets. 4 in 5 market farmers use soil health practices like composting. http://bit.ly/1U9drd5

Above statistics compiled by the Farmers Market Coalition.

With over 20 markets in the area, Richmond Virginia is truly a local foodie town!

To find a market near you, visit www.backtothemarket.com for the region’s most frequently updated list of farmers markets.