CDFA encourages all Californians to celebrate National Farmers Market Week by visiting a local Certified Farmers’ Market!
National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration that highlights the vital role farmers’ markets play in our nation’s food system. Coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, this year’s celebration recognizes that for more than 50 years, farmers’ markets have influenced the way Americans eat, shop and connect to their food, to farmers, and with each other.
For example, did you know that many farmers’ markets increase food access for the underserved by redeeming nutrition incentives? Nationwide since 2017, farmers’ market and direct marketing redemptions of SNAP (CalFresh in California) have increased by 162 percent. Click here to view CDFA’s California Nutrition Incentive Program grantees currently distributing Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program incentives at farmers’ markets in California.
Also, did you know that farmers’ markets are business incubators for young farmers? Farmers’ markets provide one of few low-barrier entry points for new farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs.
Farmers’ markets also serve as a valuable education opportunity — to speak with local farmers and learn what’s in season and how favorite fruits and vegetables are produced, and also acquire an enhanced understanding of agriculture as a whole. According to a study conducted by the American Farm Bureau, 72 percent of consumers know “nothing” or “very little” about farming or ranching. Let’s work to fix that!
CDFA invites all Californians to click here to find a Certified Farmers’ Market to visit this National Farmers Market Week!