Here's some information from the Farmers Market Coalition. The Liberty Lake Farmers' Market is a member of FMC and we are always impressed with the good work FMC does for farmers' markets around the country.
Farmers Markets:
Good for your health. Good for your community. Good for the economy.
The 2007 Census of Agriculture reported a remarkable $1.2 billion in food sold directly from farmers to consumers. This is a 17% increase over the previous five years. The conclusion? More farmers are making more products directly available to more Americans in more ways. One of those ways is farmers markets.
Each year, more Americans in more communities get more of their food from farmers markets. In August, 2008, thy U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 4,685 farmers markets operating in the United States. This was a 170% increase over the last ten years. Fifteen percent of these markets operate in winter months, extending their seasons to generate more reliable income for small-scale family farmers and build sustainable local economies.
More farmers markets mean more opportunities to:
- support healthy lifestyles
- make fresh, nutritions food available to more people
- support small family farms and preserve America's rural landscapes
- strengthen communities and stimulate local economies
