Number of Farmers Markets Continues to Rise in U.S.

The number of farmers markets in the United States continues to grow, reports USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), reaching a total of 4,685 in August 2008. This represents a 6.8 percent increase since mid-August 2006, when AMS reported 4,385 farmers markets nationwide.

“More and more consumers are discovering the wide array of fresh, locally grown produce available at farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Lloyd Day. “Another reason for their popularity is food buyers like the opportunity to interact with the producers.” Day pointed out since 1994, when AMS began to track farmers markets, the number of farmers markets nationwide has grown by nearly 3,000.

AMS focuses on direct-to-consumer marketing issues and continually updates a comprehensive list of U.S. farmers markets. The database can be accessed on-line at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service

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