CONNECTICUT, USA — The state of Connecticut is celebrating National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 4-10 to highlight the crucial role farmers markets play in our food system.
According to a release from Connecticut Grown, a state Department of Agriculture program, more than 100 farmers markets will be active statewide. Many will accept SNAP (formerly food stamps) and Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits for eligible participants such as women, infants, children, seniors and disabled individuals.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year and is administered by CT DoAg. Both state and federal funds are used to purchase Connecticut Grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs (state funds only) and honey (seniors only), the release said.
“Connecticut farmers markets bring together farmers and community members to foster relationships and create a more fair and sustainable food system by offering new and beginning farmers alongside established producers a venue to market their products,” Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said in the release.
Hurlburt noted that farmers can connect directly with customers and share how Connecticut Grown farm products are grown or cared for, as consumers support small, local businesses with their money.
“And there’s truly nothing better than food, fiber and flowers fresh from the farm,” Hurlburt added.
Connecticut Grown provided three reasons to visit a farmers market next week or sometime during the remainder of the season.
First, farmers markets stimulate the local economy, as the release said studies reveal that farmers who sell products directly to consumers generate twice as much regional impact per dollar of output.
Additionally, farmers markets support conservation, connection and education. Seventy-two percent of consumers know “very little” or “nothing” about farming, according to the release, which notes that markets serve as education sites and bridge urban and rural communities.
Farmers markets also provide patrons with increased access to fresh food. Many Connecticut farmers markets accept SNAP, EBT or FMNP benefits and offer doubling programs that allow shoppers to extend their buying power, Connecticut Grown said.
A list of all certified farmers markets in Connecticut can be found here. Click here to access an interactive map that shows where to find a farmers market or farm stand near your location.
“Connecticut’s agricultural industry generates an impact of $4 billion to the state’s economy and fosters more than 22,000 jobs,” the release said. “There are more than 260 certified farmers or farm stands selling fruits, vegetables, honey, cut herbs and eggs at authorized locations in nearly 50% of the state’s municipalities.”
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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