AMS No. 074-10

Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488

Hakim.Fobia@ams.usda.gov

Billy Cox (202)720-8998

Billy.Cox@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is launching its latest campaign to collect information about farmers markets for the 2010 USDA National Farmers Market Directory, the official count of the nation’s farmers markets. Farmers markets can be added to the directory by market managers, representatives of state farmers market associations, state departments of agriculture, farmers market personnel, and nonprofit organizations.

“The USDA Farmers Market Directory provides a snapshot of what is happening at farmers markets, demonstrates how the industry is growing and expanding, and serves as a tool to help consumers find local farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Rayne Pegg. “For the future of sound farmer market policies, it is critical to make the USDA National Farmers Market Directory as accurate as possible. USDA can’t do it alone, and we ask for assistance in compiling this directory. Participating in the USDA National Farmers Market Directory tells policymakers, legislators, and other stakeholders that farmers markets continue to be a strong growth industry across the United States.”

For the past 15 years, USDA has been counting the number of operational farmers markets in the United States. Since the directory was first created in 1994, the number of farmers markets has tripled from 1,755 to 5,274. The directory captures information about where farmers markets operate, if they accept food assistance program vouchers and electronic benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Women Infants and Children Program, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and what types of products are being sold. This year, data will also be collected about the growing number of winter farmers markets.

Data collection for the 2010 USDA National Farmers Market Directory will continue through May 14 at: www.ams.usda.gov/2010farmersmarketdirectory

The USDA National Farmers Market Directory is administered by AMS in cooperation with Michigan State University.

Questions about the directory can be sent to:directoryupdates@ams.usda.gov or (202)720-8317. The 2010 USDA National Farmers Market Directory will be released in late summer 2010.