August 2, 2021
RICHMOND, IN. – The Richmond Farmers Market (RFM) joins markets across the county in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 1st-7th, 2021. Each year, a theme for National Farmers Market Week is chosen by the Farmers Market Coalition that addresses specific ways that farmers markets have provided for their communities that year. This year, the theme is “Farmers Markets Are Essential”.
Throughout COVID-19, it became more apparent than ever just how critical farmers markets are to our food system. Local food systems with short supply chains are both resilient and dependable and when the pandemic hit, market managers and vendors were some of the first to implement innovative strategies to keep their markets going and to keep healthy, local foods accessible to their communities. In addition to safety precautions taken throughout the pandemic to keep food accessible, the Richmond Farmers Market aims to keep food accessible through a variety of incentive programs as well. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) is accepted at the Market, and due to ongoing support from Reid Health, all SNAP Dollars are doubled! This includes both regular SNAP benefits and Pandemic EBT assistance. The Market also has several vendors that participate in both the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program and in the Lifestream Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Since 2017, nearly $115,000 in SNAP benefits have been spent at the Market. $26,000 has been spent in 2021 thus far. That money benefits the customers at the Market able to use their benefits on fresh, local food and the farmers that are able to make additional income through these programs.
The work that farmers put into producing food for their communities is critical, and farmers markets are critical to farmers. The United States Department of Agriculture released statistics that show just how beneficial markets are to farm vendors. According to these statistics, when a farmer vends at farmers market their overall production increases as well as the diversity of agricultural products produced. Since 2017, the Richmond Farmers Market has generated over $750,000 for vendors, creating a valuable economic boost for the region. Additionally, produce at the Richmond Farmers Market travels an average of 11.2 miles from farm to Market, creating a shopping atmosphere that some call “hyperlocal".
While the Richmond Farmers Market has a long and winding history, Richmond Parks and Recreation took over the operation in 2015. The Market currently hosts nearly 60 farmers and vendors per week selling a wide variety of products, including nitrate and antibiotic free meats, fresh local produce (such as sweet corn, tomatoes, root vegetables, fruits, etc), honey, maple syrup, free-range eggs, bread, kimchi, apple butter, spice mixes, jams and jellies, flowers, woodworking, photography, jewelry, handmade soaps, handmade candles, and much more.
“I can’t tell you how many times people have expressed to me already just how grateful they are for this Market, especially throughout the pandemic. I know the City worked very hard to take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe and keep food accessible. We’ll continue to do just that,” said Cierra Bailey, the new Richmond Farmers Market Coordinator.
To celebrate National Farmers Market Week and the essential vendors and market goers that show up week after week, all year long, special events have been planned for the Tuesday Twilight Market and the Saturday Farmers Market.
The events scheduled for this week are as follows:
Tuesday, 8/3 4pm - 7pm
Saturday, 8/7 8am - 12pm
See you at the Market!
For questions, imagery, or for media requests, please contact the Richmond Farmers Market via the contact details below:
Cierra Bailey
Richmond Farmers Market Coordinator & Community Engagement Facilitator
Richmond Parks and Recreation
2200 East Main Street | E: cbailey@richmondindiana.gov
Richmond, IN 47374 |T: (765) 983-7425
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The Richmond Farmers Market is a growers-only market in support of the interest of local farmers, producers, and consumers. The purpose of the market is to create a sales venue for area farmers, provide opportunity for consumers to purchase quality local food and farm-grown goods, provide a community gathering place, to promote and stimulate economic development, and create traffic in the Downtown area. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/dmnkfL
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