It’s National Farmers Market Week!
Over the last few weeks for our “day job” we’ve done a lot of driving around the Dutchess County NY area. In every town we’ve passed through we’ve seen signs for the local farmers market. From small towns to struggling cities like Poughkeepsie, they all have a farmers market. I feel fortunate to live in an area where there are now so many farmers markets to choose from and it makes me smile to see it happening elsewhere.
In 1994, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began publishing the National Directory of Farmers Markets which list farmers markets known to operate in the U.S. According to their directory in 2012 there are 7,864 farmers markets in the country. That’s up 9.6% from last year.
I’ve always been a fan of the CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market. There’s a hustle and bustle to it that, I think, makes it unique. This year the number of vendors has increased to offer more kinds of products: from fruits and veggies to seafood to meat to baked goods to flowers! I can do nearly all my shopping for the week at this one market. Oh, and did I mention you can also grab a fresh-made personal-sized pizza from Victoria’s Wood Fired Pizza truck. The pizza topped with local greens and lemon juice is one of my favs.
Needless to say, I celebrate my local farmers market every week and am always sure to do my Foursquare check-in. (Yes, I am the virtual mayor.)
This week is the perfect time to get out and visit your local farmers market!