Iowa listed in Top 10 for farmers markets

Iowa is among the top 10 states in the nation for farmers markets, according to figures released Friday, Aug. 5, 2011.

Kathleen Merrigan,  Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced the new numbers during a conference call with reporters.

Iowa is listed as having 237 farmers markets in the USDA's National Farmers Market Directory.

The annual report shows 7,175 markets operate across the United States, a growth of more than 1,000 new farmers markets, or a 17 percent uptick from last year.

“Farmers markets are just growing exponentially,” Merrigan said.

She cited her boss, Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa governor, Tom Vilsack, in announcing that Iowa was among the top 10 states in recorded numbers of markets.

California topped the list, with 729 markets in the directory. Iowa ranked eighth, ahead of Wisconsin, with 231, and North Carolina, with 217.

Alaska led the way for growth in farmers markets with 35 markets, up 46 percent from 2010.

Merrigan noted that farmers markets are an effective health strategy in terms of combating food deserts, or areas where fresh produce is unavailable.

Although a new report shows that eating healthy can cost more, farmers markets are also “an incredibly good deal” in some parts of the country, she said.

Other reasons cited for the growth include the taste and freshness of produce available at markets and use of the markets as a community gathering space.

“There is a yearning in this country to reconnect,” Merrigan said, “to know your farmer; know your food, that is really coming out in farmers markets.”

Market listings are submitted to USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service by farmers market managers on a voluntary, self-reported basis.

Given that, Merrigan said the listing may undercount the true number of farmers markets across the country.

Last year, the USDA reported that 6,132 markets were operating across the country.

Nearly 12 percent of markets can accepting SNAP (formerly known as food stamp) benefits onsite, a 16 percent increase since 2010.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service recently reported that SNAP redemptions in 2010 totaled $7.5 million at all certified farmers market and direct-to-consumer food retail establishments. Program participants made 453,711 purchases at farmers markets and direct farm marketing outlets nationwide, with an average purchase amount of $16.69.

Since the beginning of this year, the USDA directory site, at http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov has had more than 1.8 million page views.

“This is a hot ticket in terms of public interest,” Merrigan said.

FYI

For a listing of Eastern Iowa Farmers Markets, see: http://thegazette.com/farmersmarkets/

The USDA's Top 10 States in Numbers of Farmers Markets:

California (729 markets)

New York (520)

Michigan (349)

Illinois (305)

Ohio (278)

Pennsylvania (266)

Massachusetts (255)

Iowa (237)

Wisconsin (231)

North Carolina (217)

Top 10 State for Farmers Market Growth:

Alaska (35 markets, up 46 percent)

Texas (166 markets, up 38 percent)

Colorado (130 markets, up 38 percent)

New Mexico (80 markets, up 38 percent)

Indiana (171markets, up 37 percent)

Oklahoma (61 markets, up 32 percent)

South Dakota (29 markets, up 32 percent)

Pennsylvania (266 markets, up 31 percent)

Ohio (278 markets, up 31 percent)

Michigan (349 markets, up 30 percent)