National Farmers’ Market Week is here!
Read the official proclamation from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
You can celebrate Farmers’ Market Week–every week–by visiting your local farmers’ market. And adding their farm-fresh produce to the food you serve at mealtime.
Want to know more about Farmers’ Market Trends, visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service USDA website.
For specific information about organic farmers, read a report on “Organic Produce, Price Premiums, and Eco-Labeling in U.S. Farmers’Markets” by the USDA Economic Research Service.
Key Findings:
- Participation of organic farmers in markets.
Finding: Steady numbers to slight increase. - Demand for organic products.
Finding: Medium to strong demand in more than 80 percent of markets interviewed. - Advertising strategies used to highlight organic products.
- Price premiums charged for organic products.
Finding: varies according to market location and presence of other organic farmers, but generally higher prices is a perception rather than a reality.
Related articles:
Advertising techniques used by organic growers in 210 U.S. farmers markets in 2002 (numbers of farmers). — Talking (interaction): 187 (Note: Some farmers use multiple techniques.) The report lists the various labels being used by organic farmers and others using alternative production methods:
Source: USDA Economic Research Service |