Posted by on 16 Aug 2008 at 1:44 am under Arizona
Attendance at local markets is up more than 10 percent from last year, prompting Valley market groups to roll out nine more.
New farmers markets are expected to open this fall in downtown Glendale, Old Town Scottsdale, Surprise and Buckeye. And smaller, private markets are expected to open this year in Peoria, Queen Creek and Gilbert. The Downtown Phoenix Public Market expects to launch a capital campaign next year to build the city’s first indoor market by 2013.
For cities, the markets serve two purposes: They create a vibrant downtown atmosphere and spur economic activity.
They also help meet residents’ expectations of more local-shopping and grocery-store alternatives at a time when fuel and production costs are driving up food prices.
At the Downtown Phoenix Public Market, attendance is up 30 percent. Vendors rack up $15,963 in sales on an average market day, compared with $10,548 in 2007, a 51 percent increase.
Erin Zlomek
The Arizona Republic
Posted by on 16 Aug 2008 at 1:35 am under Maryland
In a summer vexed by food safety worries and gasoline-cost anxiety, farmers’ markets are mushrooming. Growers also report favorable weather conditions as boosting this summer’s harvest - as well as increasing attendance. Consumers say they are shopping for price and assurances that the food comes from farms no more than about 50 miles away.
One way to measure the increased attraction is by the number of markets. The state reports that in 2004, Maryland had 72 farmers’ markets, up from 30 a decade earlier. Last year, there were 74 markets; this year, there are 84.
Jacques Kelly
Baltimore Sun
Posted by on 15 Aug 2008 at 10:52 am under California
The new Grover Beach Farmers Market will open for the first time this Sunday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. this Sunday at Ramona Garden Park in Grover Beach, California.
Approved by the Grover Beach City Council just last week, the new market will resume every Sunday afternoon until the end of the season Oct. 26. Next year, it is expected to be open for a full season from June through October.
The market is being held in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series and will be co-sponsored by the Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, the market will offer other locally produced goods and crafts as well as live music on Sundays when the summer concerts are not presented.
Posted by on 15 Aug 2008 at 7:36 am under Virginia
A new farmers market opens today at Clevenger’s Corner in Fauquier County, Virginia. That’s in the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 211 and Route 229.
The Tri-County Farmers’ Market will be open Friday and Sunday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring produce grown or produced on Virginia farms in Fauquier, Culpeper, and Rappahannock counties. It will be open rain or shine at least through October for this inaugural season, according to organizers, and may grow to more days and longer hours.
Posted by on 14 Aug 2008 at 9:55 pm under Alaska
Sitka’s first farmer’s market opens this Saturday, August 16, an will continue through the next two Saturdays of August, giving Sitka residents a chance to buy and sell locally produced food and crafts.
The Sitka Public Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall and the Baranof Island Housing Authority-owned parking lot located right next to ANB Hall between the waterfront and Katlian Street. The market will feature local seafood (fresh, frozen and cooked and ready to eat), locally grown vegetables, live entertainment, locally brewed and roasted coffee, kids’ activities, music, local arts and crafts, and a variety of other items gathered or made in Sitka.
This event is sponsored by the Sitka Health Summit, Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association, ANB/ANS, Baranof Island Housing Authority, University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, Sitka Advancing Our Community, Sitka Conservation Society, SEARHC Health Promotion and Diabetes Prevention programs, and the State of Alaska Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
Vendor fees have been waived this year, and vendors have indoor and outdoor table options available. Market guidelines and a pre-market survey about the market are available on the Sitka Health Summit website.
Posted by on 14 Aug 2008 at 2:17 pm under Virginia
The City of Alexandria and the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association are sponsoring a new farmers market in Alexandria, Virginia, this summer.
Titled the “Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market,” the new event opened August 13 and will continue on Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., through October 29.
Located at the King Street Gardens Park (1806 King St.) under the arbor and just a few steps from the King Street Metro, the market will be open rain or shine with locally grown produce, home made goods and bakery items.
The new Oreland/North Hills Farmers’ Market opened in Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 19, with a crowd of over 300.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, instrumental in the opening of the market, presided over the inauguration ceremony and presented a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“It is critical that everyone in the community has access to healthy fruits and vegetables. At the same time the new farmer’s market helps us build and strengthen our community,” Shapiro said.
The market will be held every Saturday through November from 10 am to 2 pm at 110 Pennsylvania Avenue near the corner of Twining Road, with fresh organic produce, breads and pastries locally grown or made in Pennsylvania.
Posted by on 07 Aug 2008 at 5:42 am under Ontario
The Clover Valley Farmers’ Market in Fort Frances, Ontario has started a Thursday market, open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in addition to its regular Saturday hours. The market hopes that the new hours will attract more vendors and shoppers who otherwise do not use the market.
The following markets and market directories have recently been updated on the Open Air Markets Directory at Farmer’s Market Online:
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