National Farmers Market Week is Aug. 2-8. In celebration, the West Virginia Farmers Market Association (WVFMA) is inviting everyone in the state to visit their local West Virginia farmers markets and support their local economies and farmers. The WVFMA is asking attendees at markets across the state to raise awareness of their community’s market by taking “selfies” in their farmers markets holding a print-out sign (available from wvfarmers.org/fmweek) and upload those pictures to social media using the hashtag #MoretoMarketWV.
“Farmers markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” says Jen Cheek, executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture, sharing recipes, and exposing them to new foods. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.”
If you are interested in finding a farmers market in your local community, please visit the USDA’s Farmers Market Directory (http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/) for a list of farmers market locations.
