National Farmers Market Week

National Farmers Market Week & Frequent Walker Program Launch! August 2-8th is National Farmers Week, which serves to not only uplift their economic importance, but also remind communities how farmers markets foster shared values between community members and create a more fair and secure food system.

National Farmers Market Week is proclaimed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, a membership-based nonprofit organization that supports farmers markets nationwide. Their motto is “Farmers markets are more than market places, they are places where neighbors learn, grow, and work together.” ARCD and leaders of several farmers markets recognized a need to set a baseline measurement of the impact of farmers markets.

They worked together during 2024 and 2025 to come up with some interesting statistics, creating a baseline that can be used to gauge future growth and to determine where more support is needed. Here’s what they discovered:

● 421 local food vendors of various types sell through farmers markets.

● 6 days each week shoppers could find an open farmers market in the region; most farmers markets are open one day a week, but Boone Street Market is open Monday-Saturday. ARCD lists a directory of markets at ARCD.org/find-a-farmers-market.

● On an average Saturday morning, 5,000 customers are out shopping at farmers markets.

● $2.8 million in sales is what ARCD has extrapolated to be the impact across all 12 markets. Farmers Markets of the region will list any special events for National Farmers Market week on their individual social media pages. Some hold contests or special giveaways.

As part of National Farmers Market Week, Farmacy Fit, a popular farmers market walking program that aims to connect people with local fresh fruits and vegetables, is bringing back the Frequent Walker Program. August through October: Complete 8 walks at any participating market (mix & match) Everyone will be given a stamp card and get a surprise swag item once completed. Farmacy Fit is open to everyone, and each person who participates (including kids) will receive $3 in tokens which can be redeemed at participating market vendors for fruits or vegetables. Tokens expire at the end of the market season and can only be redeemed for fruits and vegetables. To participate, people are encouraged to arrive early and visit the Market Information Booth where they will sign up and be given further instructions. After completing the one-mile loop, or chair exercises, participants will receive their tokens and can spend them right away.