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community
It’s Market Time WORDS Liesel Schmidt images courtesy featured markets
AH…SUMMER!
The sunny weather,
the long days, the weekends filled with things to do and see. Your calendar is quickly filling up; and, if you’re like countless people all over the country, you may already be planning a trip to the farmers market. By definition, farmers markets are public assemblies of farmers (or, as the case may be, their representatives) selling their crops or products straight to their customers without the middleman. In these times of big box stores and grocery chains, it’s a way to forge a personal connection between farmers, shoppers, and communities that is beneficial in multiple ways. Farmers receive more money for their products, shoppers receive the highest quality local foods, and local economies prosper. For thousands of cities across the nation, the local color and flavor of the region is displayed at their local farmers markets. In fact, since 1994, the number of USDA registered markets in the U.S. has grown from just under 2,000 to more than 8,600, proving both the success and the popularity of these community events. There are, of course, guidelines that must be followed for any vendors participating in farmers markets and operating rules that ensure the farmers market consists primarily of farms selling products that they have produced. And while the offerings at these markets may widely vary, they always reflect a region’s agriculture and seasons. Some markets are seasonal and comprise a small number of vendors, while others involve hundreds of vendors and are held all year long. Some markets concentrate on produce, while others offer everything from fruits and veggies to baked goods, meat, eggs, flowers, and dairy products. It’s common for farmers markets to include locally made crafts or
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