Kentucky’s Farmers’ Market Week kicks off Sunday. State Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is urging citizens to celebrate by getting out and supporting farm families in the state who bring fresh farm products to the public each week.
Commissioner Quarles says finding locally grown produce, meat, eggs, dairy products, and more at the peak of freshness is an advantage of Kentucky’s farmers’ markets. He adds purchasing your food from a Kentucky Proud farmers’ market not only supports local farmers but also keeps the money you spend in your community. During the coronavirus pandemic, he says our farmers’ markets have adapted to protect themselves and Kentucky consumers. He encouraged all Kentuckians to consider visiting their local farmers’ markets during Farmers’ Markets Week.
This year’s Farmers’ Markets Week is August 2-8 and salutes the 167 farmers’ markets in 115 of the state’s 120 counties. In those 167 markets, officials say more than 2,768 vendors are offering products for sale.
According to Quarles, farmers’ markets reported sales of nearly $13 million last year as the week takes on special meaning this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He says farmers’ markets remain a vital resource of providing fresh and nutritious food direct from Kentucky’s farms during the pandemic. He adds this crisis has put a magnifying glass on the reasons why we need our agriculture producers. He asked the public to be respectful of CDC guidelines while visiting farmers’ markets.
