This week is National Farmers Market Week, giving us an opportunity to celebrate Kentucky’s farmers markets for boosting the local economy by supporting local producers, providing jobs, improving local nutrition, and much more.
So how should you celebrate National Farmers Market Week? Simply visit your local farmers market! There are over 160 farmers markets in the state of Kentucky and over 2,700 farmers market vendors to buy from. To find the closest farmers market to you, click the link here.
Below are three organizations that are great resources for Kentucky’s farmers markets.
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
The Office of Agricultural Marketing within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture assists farmers, agribusinesses, and commodity groups with the promotion and marketing of their products. In their Direct Marketing division, the website is a one-stop-shop for all required market vendor certifications and market forms/documentation. It also has marketing and promotional material, a produce availability guide, and a statewide farmers market directory. All links related to farmers markets can be found here.
Community Farm Alliance
Community Farm Alliance (CFA) runs a Farmers Market Support Program that provides Kentucky’s farmers markets with the tools, resources and network development that enable them to provide a profitable market outlet for farmers. In 2020, the Farmers Market Support Program supports 57 markets in 44 counties. CFA also helps improve nutrition among low-income individuals through their Kentucky Double Dollars Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CFA hosted webinars, conducted surveys, and released social media toolkits for farmers markets to use to inform vendors and customers of requirements and changes to the market. For more information about CFA’s Farmers Market Support Program, click here.
Farmers Market Coalition
The Farmers Market Coalition is a 501(c) (3) non-profit that works to strengthen farmers markets throughout the country for the benefit of the farmer, the consumer, and the community. In support of National Farmers Market Week, FMC offers templates, free downloads, and resources to farmers markets to help plan and promote any celebratory activities. Their Resources page is full of introductory material, a Market Manager FAQ to aid managers in their work. They frequently host webinars on related topics and have created an interactive map that divides farmers market resources on a state-by-state basis.
Farmers markets are an essential marketing outlet for Kentucky’s producers. KCARD assists markets with business and marketing plans, board trainings, bylaw development, and much more. For more information on KCARD’s work with farmers markets and how we can assist your market, contact us at 859-550-3972 or via email at kcard@kcard.info