Have you noticed the growing interest in farmers markets? Well, the official stats have just been released, and their numbers are growing, robustly. In the Portland area alone, there are 5 new farmers markets this year, 37 in total!
Last year, while filming at the Earthen Path Organic Farm, in Oak Center, MN, I spoke with organic farmer Rebecca Schwen. She was about to head out to one of the farmer markets they sell to, and I asked her if she had seen a change in numbers in farmer markets over the last few years. Here’s what she shared:
August 1st through the 7th marks National Farmers Market week. The USDA has just released the new number of farmers markets in the U.S. and (drum roll) it’s climbed up to 6,132 – up 16% over last year’s number of 5,274!
Top 10 states with the most farmers markets:
- California (580)
- New York (461)
- Illinois (286)
- Michigan (271)
- Iowa (229)
- Massachusetts (227)
- Ohio (213)
- Wisconsin (204)
- Pennsylvania (203)
- North Carolina (182)
If you haven’t been to a farmers market yet, this would be a great week to go! To find a farmers market in your area, check out the National Farmers Market Directory. Or, look into starting a farmers market for your area! Or, go check out this cool interactive map to find out what’s in season and where the nearest farmers market is (in U.S.)!