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NATIONAL FARMERS’ MARKET WEEK HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED GROWTH OF MARKETS
Governor Joe Manchin III and Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass are joining with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to proclaim August 5-11, 2007 “National Farmers’ Market Week.”
To further promote National Farmers’ Market Week, Commissioner Douglass and the Department of Agriculture will be on hand at the State Capitol grounds Wednesday, August 8 for the weekly “Capitol Market at the Capitol” along with the Department of Health and Human Resources – Office of Nutrition Services who will be handing out “Pick a Better Snack” campaign materials. Fruit samples will also be given to “Capitol Market at the Capitol” shoppers.
“Farmers’ Markets continue to grow in numbers across the state and nation. The availability of fresh, locally-grown produce, affordable prices and healthy food choices entice consumers and provide an important outlet for local farmers,” said Governor Manchin.
“These markets, where farmers can directly market to their customers are vitally important, especially to smaller operations like we have in West Virginia,” said Commissioner Douglass. “The popularity and growth of the markets continues to expand as people’s desire for fresh-from-the-farm food grows.”
Since 1994, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began publishing the National Directory of Farmers Markets which lists all farmers’ markets operating in the U.S., the number of farmers’ markets has grown from 1,755 (in 1994) to 4,385 (in 2006).
Jean Smith, Director of Marketing and Development at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), also notes that in some cases markets are getting more creative with their marketing by going to their customers instead of having the customers come to them.
“The ‘Capitol Market at the Capitol’ campaign is in its third year and continues to be very successful,” said Smith. “Charleston’s Capitol Market brings produce and sets up shop on the Capitol grounds every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. which provides state workers, and others in the area, another location to conveniently pick up fresh produce.”
The event has proven so popular that activities at the Capitol were expanded to include “Fresh Fruit Fridays” each Friday in August.
Smith also cited on-location farm stands and senior centers that set up weekly markets to help seniors without transportation.
Another factor in increasing the number and popularity of farmers’ markets are federal farmers’ market nutrition programs for senior citizens and WIC participants – cooperatively administered by WVDA and the State Department of Health and Human Resources – Smith said. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides approximately 35,000 eligible West Virginians with $20 worth of vouchers annually to redeem at participating markets and stands.
Participating in the SFMNP in West Virginia are 301 farmers, 75 farm stands and 9 cooperatives that buy and sell produce from local farmers. USDA provided $15 million in grants this year to 45 states and Indian tribal governments that participate in the SFMNP.
For more information on Farmers’ Markets, visit www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/.
For more information on the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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