FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Napa, CA (July 30, 2018) — Napa Farmers Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 5-11 with several activities planned. On Tuesday, August 7th and Saturday, August 11th, Napa Farmers Market shoppers will be asked to nominate their favorite farmer, the one whose produce they cannot live without. The winning farmer will have his or her stall fee waived that day. Shoppers will also be able to compete for prizes in the farmers market trivia challenge at the Information Station and there will be a coloring competition for young market goers at the Education Booth.
Napa Farmers Market also invites all market attendees to enter the #LoveMyMarket Instagram Contest from August 1st to September 2nd. Visit the market during the month and pick up a free temporary tattoo at the Information Booth. Participants must take a photo of themselves, a farmer, shopper, puppy, baby, tomato—anyone or anything—wearing the tattoo at the market. Then, post the photo to Instagram with the hashtags #LoveMyMarket and #napafarmersmarket. Tag the market as you wish as well with the handle @napafarmersmkt. The National Farmers Market Coalition will choose the winning images and award a prize to each photographer and winning market at the close of the contest.
As demand for local food continues to grow, so too have the opportunities for America’s farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), farmers markets and farm stands account for roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that Americans spend annually on farm-direct products . This revenue, in turn, supports the livelihoods of more than 165,000 mostly small and mid-sized farms and ranches.
The Napa Farmers Market began in 1986, and currently hosts more than 30 small regional farms, many of them organic, selling a wide variety of products, including citrus, Delta asparagus, exotic mushrooms and dates, fragrant raspberries, heirloom apples, fresh-dug potatoes, Asian basil, nursery seedlings, exquisite dahlias, pasture-raised meats, wild-caught seafood and farm eggs. The market also features the unique handicrafts of local artisans, and its specialty-food purveyors tempt shoppers with handmade pastry, honey, pupusas, hummus, cheeses granola and more.
“Being an integral part in the growth of the Napa Farmers’ Market and the community it serves has been an amazing opportunity and gift, ” says Napa Farmers Market Manager Charlotte Florent.
Last year, with the help of community partner Napa Valley CanDo, Florent says the Napa Farmers Market donated over 3,000 pounds of produce to the Napa Food Bank for distribution to Napa’s needy. To date, the market has hosted more than 40 weekly chef demonstrations demonstrating how to cook nutritious meals at home using fresh, local, in-season products. And, it estimates that weekly children’s activities have educated more than 300 local children in the Napa community about healthy eating, local agriculture and the origins of their food.
“Farmers markets play a vital role not just in generating real income for farmers, but in forming a healthy, prosperous food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture and sharing recipes and new foods with their neighbors. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.”
Napa Farmers Market will preview all National Farmers Market Week activities on the new “Farmers Fresh Hour” radio show, airing Thursdays on KVON 1440 AM radio. Among the guests for the Thursday, August 2nd show will be national Farmers Market Coalition Policy Director Ben Feldman.
About Napa Farmers Market
Napa Farmers Market is a California Certified Farmers Market and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community resource that draws hundreds of shoppers and visitors each market day. Located in South Napa Century Center, near the Cinemark Theater and In-Shape Fitness Center, market vendors include many local fruit, vegetable and flower growers (some organic); fresh seafood and meat merchants; food purveyors offering coffee, baked goods, pupusas and other ready-to-eat fare; plus, artisanal pottery, jewelry and other hand-crafted wares. Educational kids’ activities, chef demos and nonprofit-organization booths add to the enriching, multicultural shopping experience at the market. The market also participates in the Market Match program, doubling the value of CalFresh benefits purchasing power for all eligible food products. For more information, visit www.napafarmersmarket.org
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Media Contact: Tia Butts, Tia Butts|pr, 707-260-5620, tia@tiabuttspr.com
Images available upon request.
