USDA Will Track and Highlight Local Food Production and Consumption in 2010

According to a press release, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is launching its latest campaign to collect information about farmers markets for the 2010 USDA National Farmers Market Directory, the official count of the nation’s farmers markets. Farmers markets can be added to the directory by market managers, representatives of state farmers market associations, state departments of agriculture, farmers market personnel, and nonprofit organizations.

The Ithaca Farmers Market does not appear to be in the current USDA directory of farmers markets, which lists 5,274 markets around the country.

“The USDA Farmers Market Directory provides a snapshot of what is happening at farmers markets, demonstrates how the industry is growing and expanding, and serves as a tool to help consumers find local farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Rayne Pegg. “For the future of sound farmer market policies, it is critical to make the USDA National Farmers Market Directory as accurate as possible. USDA can’t do it alone, and we ask for assistance in compiling this directory. Participating in the USDA National Farmers Market Directory tells policymakers, legislators, and other stakeholders that farmers markets continue to be a strong growth industry across the United States.”