MONROE - Main Street Monroe Farmers Market is joining markets across the country in celebrating the 18th annual National Farmers Market Week this week through Saturday, as proclaimed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.
The United States Department of Agriculture has supported local producers by encouraging families to meet and buy from local farmers and farmers markets. Local events include a kids scavenger hunt, vendor product samples, Instagram photo contest and a story time with Monroe Public Library. Special activities are planned during the Wednesday market, held from 1 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday market, from 8 am. to 1 p.m.
As demand for local food continues to grow, so too have the opportunities for America's farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, farmers markets account for about $2 billion of the $9 billion Americans spend annually on farm-direct products. This revenue, in turn, supports the livelihoods of more than 165,000 farms, mostly small and mid-sized. Main Street Farmers Market is the only current active farmers market in Green County.
The Main Street Monroe Farmers Market is one of 8,500 farmers markets nationwide, according to the U.S.D.A. The market includes vendors coming from within a 50-mile radius of Monroe.
Market Manager Danielle Zimmerman noted the popularity of the twice-weekly event.
"The farmers market continues as 'the place to be' Saturday mornings in downtown Monroe with regularly scheduled live music, fresh, healthy, local foods, locally-produced crafts, and fun for all ages," Zimmerman said.
As a vendor-producer market, the vendors grow, create, or add value to the products they sell, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, plants, meats, eggs, honey, jams/jellies, baked goods and unique crafts. In 2016, Monroe Farmers Market generated $149,207 in total sales for the season, a valuable economic boost for the region.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetmonroe.org or search Monroe Farmers Market on the Square on Facebook.
The United States Department of Agriculture has supported local producers by encouraging families to meet and buy from local farmers and farmers markets. Local events include a kids scavenger hunt, vendor product samples, Instagram photo contest and a story time with Monroe Public Library. Special activities are planned during the Wednesday market, held from 1 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday market, from 8 am. to 1 p.m.
As demand for local food continues to grow, so too have the opportunities for America's farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, farmers markets account for about $2 billion of the $9 billion Americans spend annually on farm-direct products. This revenue, in turn, supports the livelihoods of more than 165,000 farms, mostly small and mid-sized. Main Street Farmers Market is the only current active farmers market in Green County.
The Main Street Monroe Farmers Market is one of 8,500 farmers markets nationwide, according to the U.S.D.A. The market includes vendors coming from within a 50-mile radius of Monroe.
Market Manager Danielle Zimmerman noted the popularity of the twice-weekly event.
"The farmers market continues as 'the place to be' Saturday mornings in downtown Monroe with regularly scheduled live music, fresh, healthy, local foods, locally-produced crafts, and fun for all ages," Zimmerman said.
As a vendor-producer market, the vendors grow, create, or add value to the products they sell, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, plants, meats, eggs, honey, jams/jellies, baked goods and unique crafts. In 2016, Monroe Farmers Market generated $149,207 in total sales for the season, a valuable economic boost for the region.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetmonroe.org or search Monroe Farmers Market on the Square on Facebook.
