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Farmers Market Overview <br />Business and Housing Development Committee <br />November 8, 2007 <br />A farmers market is a place where farmers or producers of a good are able to sell directly to <br />consumers. The term farmers market is synonymous with the term community market in that, <br />these markets often become centerpieces of a community's culture, economy, safety, well- <br />being and overall identity. Sponsorship and establishment of these markets has come from <br />communities, grower/producer groups, civic organizations, community service agencies, <br />extension or educational programs, or private citizens. <br />• The Growth of Farmers Markets - In 1994, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) <br />began publishing the National Directory of Farmers Markets which lists all farmers <br />markets operating in the U.S. Since that time, USDA has updated the Directory every <br />two years. The following graph shows the number of markets at each update. <br />5,000 <br />4,000 <br />3,000 <br />2,000 <br />1,000 <br />0 <br />Number of Operating Farmers Markets <br />Community Benefits <br />Good for you: <br />1994 19% 19" 2000 2002 2004 2006 <br />o Locally grown products are packed with nutrition! Since these foods do not <br />travel very far, farmers can choose varieties based on flavor rather than on their <br />ability to withstand a long journey to the market. <br />