Across Country Markets Vie To Be Crowned America's Favorite Farmers Markets

Markets Across the Country Vie to Be Crowned-"AMERICA'S FAVORITE FARMERS MARKETS"

Washington, D.C. -From First Lady Michelle Obama who espouses fresh food and has planted a garden at the White House, to chefs searching for the freshest and best tasting tomato, or consumers vying for the first taste of local sweet corn, buying farm-grown products at farmers markets not only is a rite of summer, it's become all the rage.

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is promoting the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it through its "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" contest to find three of the country's most cherished venues. "Farmers markets not only supply the great seasonal foods we love," says Julia Freedgood, managing director of AFT's Growing Local initiative, "they give consumers a way to understand where their food is coming from and foster a closer relationship between farmers and communities."

Freedgood adds that "Farmers markets also provide public health benefits and economic development opportunities." The most recent USDA Census of Agriculture reported that nearly $1.2 billion stayed in local communities from direct to consumer sales-up 49 percent since 2002. "There's no question that farmers market are both popular and a positive part of communities."

The other key point Freedgood makes is whether by providing healthy food, renewable energy or environmental services, agriculture is at the heart of solutions to the nation's most pressing issues. "One of the reasons we want to spread the word about farmers markets through this promotion is also to raise awareness of a fundamental idea-No Farms, No Food�."

Farmers markets across the country are still signing up for the contest, and online voting is underway. Consumers can vote to select "America's Favorite Farmers Markets" at www.farmland.org/vote. At the end of the contest, one large, medium, and small farmers market will be awarded the title and win a shipment of No Farms No Food� tote bags for the winning market managers to distribute to the shoppers that made it happen! Voting remains open until midnight on August 8, and the winners will be announced thereafter.

"Farmers markets are a great way for consumers to make a difference and support healthy farms, healthy food and healthy communities," Freedgood says. "We all need to get out the vote and let the farmers and the market managers know just how important they are to our quality of life!"

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