| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Angelyn DeYoung |
| July 23, 2007 | (406) 444-2402 |
Montana Agriculture Thrives on City Streets
Causing asphalt to bloom and yield fruit and vegetables is one way to look at the annual phenomenon of farmers' markets spreading across Montana cities and towns. Nearly all of Montana's 42 farmers' markets are located in parking lots or on streets, turning them from bare asphalt into vibrant gatherings that connect urban areas to Montana's rural growers.
To celebrate Montana's farmers' markets and their benefits to the state's agriculture and tourism industries, as well as the economy, Governor Brian Schweitzer and Joel Clairmont, acting director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, encourage Montanans and visitors to celebrate National Farmers' Market Week, August 5-11, 2007.
"Celebrating National Farmers' Market Week is a great way to recognize two of Montana's greatest assets: our farmers and our people," says Governor Schweitzer. "By bringing the two together for their mutual benefit with farmers' markets, Montana's economy benefits, too."
"We've been asking people to consider, 'Who is your farmer?' and this is an excellent way for consumers to have access to locally grown, farm-fresh produce and the opportunity to personally interact with the farmer who grows the produce," says Clairmont.
Farmers' markets play a valuable role in promoting healthy local economies and communities across Montana. While shoppers enjoy the freshness and taste of locally grown foods, and vendors capture more of the value of their products from direct sales to their customers, money is circulated through the local economy. Farmers' markets serve as community centers where community members meet to enjoy shopping in a festive atmosphere. Nearby businesses often benefit from additional traffic on market days.
An increasing number of Montana's markets now have the ability to accept food coupons under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program or the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, according to Angelyn DeYoung, marketing officer at the Montana Department of Agriculture.
To learn more about a farmers' market in your area, visit the Montana Department of Agriculture's website at www.agr.mt.gov and click on "Business & Marketing."
If your community does not currently have a farmers' market, the Montana Department of Agriculture can help. For more information, contact Angelyn DeYoung at the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-2402 or by email at agr@mt.gov.
