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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer urges Kentuckians to mark Farmers’ Market Week Aug. 7-13 by going to their local farmers’ market to shop for fresh, high-quality Kentucky Proud foods. Governor Ernie Fletcher issued the proclamation at Commissioner Farmer’s request.
“Farmers’ markets enable producers to get full retail price for their products,” Commissioner Farmer said. “They give consumers the chance to meet the people who grow the food and to get the freshest foods money can buy. Everyone wins.”
Kentucky farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of fresh, tasty produce, including heirloom varieties and regional favorites. Some markets sell sauces, baked goods, cut flowers, crafts and other value-added products, and a few even offer meat and fish. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is holding a series of cooking demonstrations at farmers’ markets throughout the Commonwealth, starting in Corbin on Aug. 6, to measure interest among consumers and restaurateurs in buying Kentucky Proud meats and seafood at farmers’ markets.
Farmers’ markets across the state posted sales of $5.4 million last year, helping farm families stay on the farm while keeping Kentuckians’ food dollars close to home.
For more information, including a directory of Kentucky’s 98 farmers’ markets, go to the KDA Web site, www.kyagr.com, and click on Farmers’ Markets on the pull-down menu.
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