August 6, 2024 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the passage of a bipartisan resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week from August 4 through August 10, 2024. The resolution recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together, supporting livelihoods, and enriching the lives of millions of Americans, from farmers and food producers to consumers. Representatives David Valadao (R-Calif.-22) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.
Farmers markets build community, bolster local agricultural economies, and improve public health and wellness, including for low-income Americans who receive federal nutrition benefits. They also help bridge urban and rural communities, contributing to a better public understanding of farming and ranching. Farmers markets have grown exponentially across the country over the past few decades, rising from 1,755 markets in 1994 to approximately 8,600 in 2023. In 2020, they accounted for $1.7 billion in income for American farmers. California has the most farmers markets in the country, with over 700 certified markets.
“I am proud to celebrate National Farmers Market Week and to support our local farmers, who feed our families and bring us together,” said Senator Padilla. “Our farmers markets nourish our neighborhoods, strengthen our local economies, and grow the relationship between growers and consumers. We cherish these spaces as a vibrant and dependable source of nutrition and community.”
“During this National Farmers Market Week, I’m honored to celebrate the work of Iowa farmers who feed and fuel our communities!” said Senator Ernst. “Our state takes pride in our agriculture, and farmers markets make access to farm-fresh and locally sourced food even easier. When Iowans buy and sell close to home, they support local economies, promote healthy communities, and put hard-earned money back into producers’ pockets.”
“The Central Valley produces a quarter of our nation’s food with less than one percent of our nation’s farmland,” said Representative Valadao. “Farmers Markets provide our local producers with an outlet to sell their goods, a place for families to buy healthy, locally grown produce, and a platform to educate folks about where their food comes from. I’m proud to join my colleagues to celebrate National Farmers Market Week and the many Central Valley livelihoods that are fueled by agriculture.”
“Farmers markets support hundreds of Maine farmers and small businesses, boost our local economies, and are vital in helping people of all incomes access healthy, locally grown food. As a longtime farmer myself, I cherish farmers markets days—whether buying delicious Maine-grown wild blueberries and veggies or catching up with our hardworking agricultural community. I am proud to join Congressman Valadao and Senators Padilla and Ernst in celebrating National Farmers Market Week,” said Representative Pingree.
“On this National Farmers Market Week, we are reminded of the many ways farmers markets support our communities. They provide a platform for local farmers, foster healthy eating habits, promote sustainability, and serve as vibrant meeting places that unite people around the love of fresh, locally-produced food,” said Willa Sheikh, Interim Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “We thank Senator Padilla, Senator Ernst, Representative Valadao, Representative Pingree, and each of the 28 cosponsors for their dedication to farmers markets and for this bipartisan recognition of the vital role they play in our nation’s food system. As we kick off 25 years of National Farmers Market Week, we invite you to join the celebration by supporting your local farmers market both this week and all year long.”
Farm groups across the United States have celebrated National Farmers Market Week for 25 years, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially recognized National Farmers Market Week since 2021.
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.-13), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02) cosponsored the resolution in the House of Representatives.
Last year, Senators Padilla and Ernst announced the first-ever congressional resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, which was adopted unanimously by the Senate.
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Source: Senator Alex Padilla
