Snohomish Farmers Market 2008
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
![Snohomish Farmers Market 2008](images/FarmersMarket1.jpg) |
Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. Farmers markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers who grows the produce. Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. Today, there are more than 4,300 farmers markets operating throughout the nation.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. (SFMNP) is a program in which grants are awarded to States, U.S. Territories, and Indian tribal governments to provide coupons to low-income seniors that can be used to buy eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs. In 2006, USDA awarded nearly $16 million in grants to 38 States, the District of Columbia, six Indian Tribal Organizations, and Puerto Rico. State departments of agriculture, aging, and health and tribal governments administering the grants have developed creative partnerships that use infrastructure to offer farmers markets to expand service to seniors and to certify and distribute benefits to over 750,000 low-income seniors. In an effort to eliminate barriers to access, several programs are providing seniors with transportation to and from the markets through a partnership with senior centers or have arranged for local growers to take their produce directly to senior housing facilities. In fiscal year 2005, fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs were available from 14,600 farmers at 2,600 farmers markets as well as 2,000 roadside stands and 237 community supported agriculture programs.
-USDA
The seedlings of Snohomish's Farmers Market were planted back in 1991. That's when farmers from the rural areas surrounding Snohomish began bringing fresh produce to sell in town at the Market. This informal arrangement continues and today has grown into quite an event. A short walk from Historic Downtown Snohomish Thursday Evenings, 3pm until 8pm May 1st - Sep 25th.The open-air market is officially recognized by the city of Snohomish and is one of the few places in the country where farmers sell their crops directly to customers. Because it's located Historic Downtown Snohomish, it's the perfect shopping spot for residents, downtown workers and visitors looking for a taste of Snohomish Valley at its freshest. This small town market is full of extras like walking sticks, a collection of jewelry merchants, A WSU Master Gardener on hand to answer all your questions flower and gardening vendors, and a full assortment of trinket vendors, there's something to suit every taste at the Snohomish's Farmers Market.
"Fresh Local Produce, Certified Organics, Nursery Stock, Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Honey, Baked Goods, Farm Produce, Artisans, Craftspeople, Old Fashioned Fun! Come for the Freshness, Stay For the Fun!" The Snohomish Farmers Market
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