Dear Agriculture,
When thinking about National Farmers Market Week, a host of images and flavors comes to mind: gemlike raspberries, juicy peaches, sweet buttery corn, plump tomatoes, artisan cheese from local dairy farms and fresh local eggs. What may surprise you is that most of these foods are grown near cities, which can be good because it means the food is grown close to market. But it also means that much of our local food is grown on farmland threatened by development. Food in the Path of Development Please join American Farmland Trust in celebrating National Farmers Market Week! And please vote, as this also is the final week of the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest—our contest to promote the value of farmers markets in communities and to make the connection between fresh local foods and the local farms and farmland that supply them. Much of our fresh local food is grown on urban-edge farms that are directly in the path of development.
Market Value of U.S. Food Production in Urban Edge Counties, sourced from USDA data.
That is why farmers markets, along with CSAs, farm stands, restaurants and grocery stores committed to buying locally are so important! Farmers markets do more than just fill our plates and provide a place for the community to meet; they are also keeping local farmers on their land. This week is the last week for you to cast your vote in America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest. The top small, medium, and large farmers markets will be announced online at midnight EST on August 8th, 2009. Please take a moment during this week in honor of farmers markets to vote for your favorite farmers market! | Sincerely,
Julia Freedgood
Managing Director, Growing Local
American Farmland Trust
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