Through Sept. 19 you can vote for the Ruston Farmers Market to win the American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration 2021! The overall people choice winning markets will receive cash prizes to go towards marketing, communication, and other market needs
VOTE HERE: https://markets.farmland.org/market/ruston-farmers-market-2/
America’s Farmers Market Celebration showcases the essential markets across the nation making a difference for farmers, ranchers and communities. During this time, market shoppers and supporters can vote for their favorite market by visiting markets.farmland.org. In addition to recognizing the top markets in each region of America, AFT and FMC will offer cash prizes for the markets that finish in the top three of the “People’s Choice” category— $2,500 for first, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. These funds will be awarded to markets for marketing, communications and other needs that help expand the market’s reach and impact.
Since 2008, the celebration has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in communities across the nation. As we head into the second summer of the coronavirus pandemic, the role of farmers markets as both a vital venue for farmers to sell their goods and consumers to access local, healthy food is being recognized like never before. If the last year has taught us anything, it is that farmers markets are not a luxury to communities. They are essential businesses that provide a vital service and should be celebrated.
Farmers markets are on the leading edge of educating consumers about where food comes from and reinforcing AFT’s message of No Farms No Food®. They foster direct relationships between community members and farmers helping to create a more fair, sustainable and just food system. Participating in the celebration is a way for people to come together and support their community and local food producers. After all, as eaters, the most important tool we have at our disposal to keep farmers and ranchers in business is our fork.
“This year, American Farmland Trust is proud to welcome the Farmers Market Coalition as a new partner and co-sponsor of the celebration,” said Greg Plotkin, AFT Deputy Director of Digital Communication. “The coalition is the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening farmers markets across the United States and will bring even more visibility to the celebration. AFT and FMC agree that strengthening farmers markets and supporting farmers is critical for the nation and the world and will require productive land, sound stewardship of our natural resources, and innovative future farmers and ranchers to meet the challenges.”
“Farmers markets foster direct relationships between community members and farmers which can work to create a more fair, sustainable and just food system,” said Ben Feldman, FMC Executive Director. “By partnering with AFT on America’s Farmers Market Celebration, we’re hoping to raise awareness of the incredible farmers markets across the nation that provide a space for communities to come together around shared values and work together for collective action for change.”
