June 4, 2009

Vote for favorite farmers’ market in national contest

WASHINGTON—Shopping at your local farmers’ market isn’t the only way to support it.
American Farmland Trust is holding an online competition to discover the best of America’s 4,685 farmers’ markets. Its goal is to promote the connection between fresh, local food and the farms that supply it.

To vote for your favorite market, visit farmland.org/vote before the beginning of August.
There are more than 150 farmers’ markets across Virginia, and that number continues to grow. Several Virginia markets already have been entered in the contest, including venues in Northern Virginia, Tidewater, Charlottesville, Danville and Williamsburg. If your favorite market isn’t in the competition, market managers can enter online at farmland.org/marketmanager.

The contest will “better educate the public about buying local food and other products,” said Keith Kendall, manager of the Eastern Orange County Farmers’ Market, one of the Virginia markets in the contest. “People are often unaware of the difference in quality of locally grown food.

“Top-quality produce can be substituted for the ho-hum, run-of-the-mill production varieties offered through most grocer chains,” Kendall said.

Farmers’ markets “are one of the best ways for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” said Julia Freedgood, managing director for AFT’s Growing Local initiative. “We need to make the connection: there’s no local food without local farms and farmland.”

And by shopping at farmers’ markets, consumers begin to understand the connection between farmers and fresh, safe, healthy local food for their families.

The Williamsburg Farmers’ Market “has given residents a sense of community,” said market manager Libbey Oliver. “Customers like making friends with the people that grow their food.”

The Virginia farmers’ markets named in the contest offer consumers a wide assortment of fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as meats, eggs, cheeses, honey, jelly, flowers, seafood and a variety of handmade goods.

Winning markets will be announced during Farmers’ Market Week, Aug. 2-8.

In addition to national recognition, the top markets—one small, one medium and one large—will receive free “No Farms, No Food” tote bags for use at their sites.

Contact Freedgood at 202-331-7300.