In 2020 it has become clear: America’s farmers markets are more important than ever. Due to the pandemic, the consumer has tried to work directly with farmers — making your local farmers market has become more popular than ever.
For over a decade, American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in communities across the nation. Long pillars of local food in urban centers and town squares, in the age of coronavirus, farmers markets have gained the recognition they deserve as essential businesses ensuring farmers have a venue to sell their goods and families have a place to access fresh, healthy food.
This year, AFT’s 12th annual Farmers Market Celebration is making it easier than ever for shoppers to support their favorite market and help them earn national recognition, including a brand-new cash prize for the top markets. Visit the Celebration’s webpage through September 20, 2020, to endorse your favorite market.
Most importantly, get out and support your local farmers market this summer if you’re able to. But please do so with patience and respect for vendors and fellow customers in this time of social distancing. Market managers around the country are working hard every day to make sure that markets can continue operating safely. This may mean markets look a little different this summer and that you’ll need to follow new rules and protocols. Just remember, everyone is doing their best.
Market managers can register their market for the celebration by following the instructions to “update your farmers market listing” from the Farmers Market Celebration resources page.
