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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Fresh tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, apples, peaches and much more are available for Kentucky families to buy at the Commonwealth’s 103 farmers’ markets. Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer urges all Kentuckians to join in the celebration of Farmers’ Market Week Aug. 6-12.
“Farmers’ markets give consumers a place to buy fresh Kentucky Proud fruits and vegetables raised just down the road,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Many markets also sell meats, sauces, preserves, cut flowers and other products. Farmers’ market customers get to meet the people who produce the food, and they keep their food dollars close to home.”
“Your local farmers’ market is a great place to teach children about where their food comes from,” said Janet Eaton, the KDA’s farmers’ market program coordinator. “Ask the farmers questions – they are passionate about their goods and would love to talk about them. Look for recipes. Try something new. Above all, enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of your local farmers’ market.”
The University of Kentucky estimated farmers’ market sales at $6-7 million in 2004, up from $5.4 million in 2003. UK says 75 percent of Kentucky farmers directly sell more than half of their produce at places like farmers’ markets.
Most Kentucky farmers’ markets are small and serve a single county. The northern Kentucky market in Covington attracts producers from an 11-county region. Some markets have built permanent sites using tobacco settlement funds. The Anderson County market is housed in a restored railroad depot. The Henry County market has partnered with a local Renaissance fair. Some markets offer exotic or heirloom varieties of standard farmers’ market fare. Some sell regional favorites such as greasy beans in eastern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture provides many services to Kentucky farmers’ markets. In the past year the Department has:
- held four regional summits;
- conducted numerous other educational programs and provided technical assistance to markets throughout the Commonwealth;
- conducted a cost-share program that has helped several markets advertise;
- published a comprehensive farmers’ market manual that other states are using as a model;
- given $1,000 and staff time to help form the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Association;
- posted a registry of Kentucky farmers’ markets on the Web at www.kyagr.com;
- provided promotional items such as market bags and price cards at cost;
- put on cooking demonstrations with Chef Nancy Russman of Louisville using Kentucky Proud farm products;
- featured farmers’ markets and other produce outlets in the Kentucky Proud marketing campaign; and
- launched a farmers’ market display contest in partnership with the UK College of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Farmers’ Market Association and the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Farmers’ market sales contributed to farm income of more than $4.13 billion in Kentucky in 2004. UK experts say farm receipts could again top $4 billion and maybe even set a record this year. Economists say a $100,000 increase in farm sales creates up to five new jobs and generates another $200,000 in economic activity.
“When people buy from farmers’ markets, they add to farmers’ incomes and help them stay in farming instead of selling their land for development,” Commissioner Farmer said. “It also helps the environment because their food travels a short distance to get to the market.”
More than 3,800 farmers’ markets operate throughout the nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. USDA estimates nationwide farmers’ market sales at more than $1 billion.
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