FRANKFORT, Ky. —Kentucky farm families celebrated Farmers’ Markets Week, Aug. 6-12, as Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles invited Kentuckians to enjoy fresh farm products found at Kentucky’s farmers’ markets.

“Farmers’ markets provide the freshest and healthiest foods direct from Kentucky’s farms,” Quarles said. “Farmers’ markets remain a vital resource to provide a direct pathway for farm fresh foods for consumers. “

Kentucky farmers’ markets not only bring consumers the freshest foods available, but they also connect the consumers with the farmers who grow and raise their food. Farm-fresh produce, meats, eggs, and much more are available at Kentucky Proud farmers’ markets across the commonwealth.

“There are currently 170 farmers’ markets in 115 Kentucky counties,” Kentucky Department of Creative Marketing Manager Tyler Madison said. “In those 170 markets, more than 2,400 vendors offer products for sale. Kentucky farmers’ markets reported sales of more than $15 million in 2022.”

The popularity of farmers’ markets continues to grow. Since 1994, the number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. has increased from 2,000 to more than 8,600. 

Farmers’ Market Week has been recognized nationally for 24 years. The annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. “The Kentucky Department of Agriculture planned various events and promotions around Farmers’ Market Week, including distribution of statewide press releases, on-site press conferences, and worked with local market managers on promotions and organizing earned media opportunities,” Madison said.

Supporting local businesses also creates jobs where Kentuckians live. Shopping at a local Kentucky Proud farmers’ market means food travels fewer miles from the farm to the plate of Kentucky families. According to the USDA, more than half of farmers traveled less than 10 miles to their market. That not only allows consumers to pick their food at the very peak of freshness but also conserves energy and resources in the form of decreased transportation costs and reduced packaging.

Kentucky Proud, the official agricultural marketing brand of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Office of Agricultural Marketing support and promote farmers’ markets across the state. “The newly launched Kentucky Proud website has a program page dedicated to information about markets operating in Kentucky: kyproud.com/farmersmarkets,” Madison said. “Consumers may also find detailed information about market locations on the website’s product locator. Markets are listed in alphabetical order or may be sorted by location. All listings include information provided directly by market managers including the address, the hours of operation, and any additional market locations. In terms of marketing, Kentucky Proud promotes market locations through a comprehensive statewide media campaign each summer.”

The Direct Farm Marketing division of the Office of Agricultural Marketing registers farmers’ markets within the Kentucky Proud program. “They also provide a variety of resources for farmers’ markets including marketing specialists who offer market managers and vendors advice and assistance as well as an annually updated Farmers’ Market Resource Guide and sampling licenses for market vendors,” Madison said.

Kentucky farmers’ markets also help to support the national nutrition safety net. “KDA staff also work closely with partner organizations like Community Farm Alliance who offer the Kentucky Double Dollars program,” Madison said. “The Kentucky Double Dollars program aims to remove obstacles for WIC FMNP, SFMNP, and SNAP participants to increase the purchase and consumption of locally-grown food with point-of-sale matching incentives at multiple access points across Kentucky, including urban and rural farmers’ markets, Fresh Stop Markets (community-driven, sliding fee scale farmers markets), and pilot retail sites.” 

For more information visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=20d4TkHQhKs