Celebrating National and Massachusetts Farmers Market Week! Plus, How to Vote to Support OUR market!

According to a press release by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor Baker has proclaimed August 7-13, 2016 “Massachusetts Farmers’ Market Week” in recognition of the positive contributions Massachusetts’ farmers’ markets have on agriculture and public health in the Commonwealth. The weeklong event coincides with the17th National Farmers’ Market Week as the United States Department of Agriculture celebrates the nation's thousands of farmers’ markets.

“This week, we celebrate the Commonwealth’s many farmers’ markets, which create economic vitality for hundreds of farms and food producers while supporting local communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I urge all Massachusetts residents to visit their local farmers’ market this week to buy some fresh, local produce and support our hard-working farmers.”

“Farmers work hard all year long to deliver high-quality, nutritious products to residents living in cities and towns all across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito. “We are proud to recognize the farmers’ markets which help ensure community camaraderie and the continued viability of family farms.”

“The continued growth of farmers’ markets in Massachusetts has helped to sustain many of our family farms and are an important tool in helping to preserve thousands of acres of our state’s farmland,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Ensuring all Massachusetts residents have access to fresh, healthy food is a priority for this administration, and supporting farmers’ markets throughout the Commonwealth is crucial to making that goal a reality.”

Massachusetts hosts approximately 248 summer and fall farmers’ markets and 40 winter farmers’ markets across the Commonwealth. At nearly $48 million, Massachusetts ranks 5th in the nation for direct market sales and 3rd in the nation for direct market sales per operation. Direct market sales account for 10 percent of the state’s total sales of agricultural products.

Courtesy of the Farmers Market Coalition, here are some benefits provided by farmers markets:

Preserve our precious farmland by supporting rural livelihoods.

Farmers markets provide one of the only low-barrier entry points for beginning farmers, allowing them to start small, test the market, and grow their businesses.

Stimulate local economies.

Growers selling locally create 13 full-time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those that do not sell locally create 3.

Increase access to fresh, nutritious food in communities that need it most.

Over 5,000 farmers markets across the country accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits, with new locations accepting SNAP increasing at an average rate of 40% per year.

Support healthy, happy communities.

Farmers markets reconnect communities to their food system. They are places where people from all backgrounds meet to socialize and exchange ideas around cooking, nutrition, and agriculture.

Protect our over-burdened environment.

3 out of every 4 farmers selling at farmers markets say they use practices consistent with organic standards.

And, here is a way that you can show your appreciation for OUR Wakefield Farmers Market! WFM is in the running to once again receive national recognition from American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit dedicated to saving farmland for the next generation. You can show your support by visiting http://markets.farmland.org/market/wakefield-farmers-market-ma/.

“What you put on your fork matters.” That’s the message behind American Farmland Trust’s seventh annual Farmers Market Celebration. The celebration calls on shoppers to help identify the best of America’s farmers markets. The summer-long event launched June 20, 2016. (#OnMyFork, for those using social media.)

“The Celebration encourages market customers, family farmers, community activists – anyone who believes they’ve got the best farmers market in the country – to endorse their market in four special areas: Focus on Farmers, Healthy Food for All, Pillar of the Community, and Champion for the Environment,” said Susan Sink, Vice President of Development and External Relations.

“While farmers markets have been growing in popularity, keeping family farmers on farmland remains a nationwide challenge,” Sink says. “Many family farmers are struggling to stay financially afloat and face daily pressure from development to sell their land. Farmers markets provide a wonderful opportunity for family farmers to sell directly to consumers and to help make a living on their land.”

To learn more, visit markets.farmland.org and http://markets.farmland.org/market/wakefield-farmers-market-ma/ before September 21, 2016 to help keep our Wakefield Farmers Market on the national map! We have been #1 or #2 in Massachusetts and in the top 30 Nationwide since 2012 and, with your help, can be #1 in MA and in the top 20 nationally this year.

And, most important, visit our market whenever you can – it’s a great place to spend a Saturday morning. The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightening or hurricane conditions). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday starting June 18 through October 15, 2016. Please visit www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors and upcoming events and to sign up for our email newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. See you at the Market!