Farmers market week
Washington Ag Today August 8, 2011 This week has been declared Farmers Market Week by Governor Christine Gregoire, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Farmers Market Association. There are an estimated 160 farmers markets in the state and WSDA Director Dan Newhouse says farmers selling at these markets have become the face of agriculture in the state. The Washington State Farmers Market Association reported nearly 39 million dollars in sales in 2010, up from 32 million in 2009. It is also National Farmers Market Week so declared by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Deputy agriculture secretary Kathleen Merrigan says one thousand new markets were added across the country this year. Merrigan: “Seven-thousand 175 farmers markets in the 2011 Farmers Market Directory. That is a 17% growth from last year, 2010.” More than 65 markets in Washington feature wireless point-of-sale terminals capable of processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as well as credit and debit cards. In September, beer and wine sampling will be allowed at ten farmers markets in Washington that obtain an endorsement from the State Liquor Control Board. For a directory of Washington farmers markets visit
I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
