Overland Farmers Market Kicks Off National Farmers Market Week

Overland, Missouri, July 30, 2015…The Overland Farmers Market will kick off “National Farmers Market Week” one day early on Saturday, August 1 with many new vendors offering fresh produce, locally raised grass-fed beef, sweet Missouri honey and fresh-bakery goods plus original arts, crafts and live music.

Richard A. Kilzer, president of the Overland Farmers Market Board of Directors, said, “The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has declared August 2-8, 2015, ‘National Farmers Market Week.’ This year marks the 16th annual celebration that honors the important role farmers’ markets play in local economies. The Overland Farmers Market is very pleased to participate.”

There are more than 8,200 farmers’ markets in the U.S., a 76 percent increase since 2008. Those numbers keep rising, along with their collective impact on communities across America.

Here’s what the Overland Farmers Markets and other local markets do:

· Preserve America’s rural livelihoods and farmland. Farmers markets provide entry points for beginning farmers, allowing them to start small, test the market, and grow their businesses.

· Stimulate local economies. Growers selling locally create jobs at local farms.

· Increase access to fresh, nutritious food. Studies have found lower prices for conventional and organic produce at farmers markets than at supermarkets.

· Support healthy communities. Farmers market vendors educate their shoppers. Four out of five farmers selling at markets discuss farming practices with their customers, and three in five discuss nutrition and how to prepare food.

· Promote sustainability. Three out of every four farmers selling at farmers markets say they use practices consistent with organic standards.

The Overland Farmers Market will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm on August 1 in the pavilion at 2500 Woodson Road about one mile north of Page Avenue. Steve Chosich has performed his original style of acoustic music at many different venues in metro St. Louis. He will appear from 10 a.m. to noon at the market on August 1. Admission to the market, the music and convenient parking is free. The Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through late October.

Sponsors for the 2015 season currently include:

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy - Woodson Road
City of Overland
Overland Business Association (OBA)
Sutter Plumbing

Muenk’s Tax Company

Overland Hardware Company

Carol & Rich Kilzer
Frank Munsch Family
A+ Wiring Solutions

Scott Barthelmass Painting
Fink Badge Inc.

Bud and Shirley Needy
Tom Vitale, Vitale Painting

For Overland Farmers Market information, call 314 769 6360 or see http://www.overlandfarmersmarket.com/. Email:webmaster@overlandfarmersmarket.com

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