Florida may not be the biggest state when it comes to farmers markets, but it — along with other states in the south — are certainly growing.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers Market Directory now lists just under 8,300 markets, an increase of 76 percent since 2008.
The data reflects continued demand and growth of farmers markets in every region of the country, according to a release.
Because of that, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is developing three new local food directories that will expand USDA’s support for local and regional foods by providing easy access to the most current information about the local food market.
“Farmers markets play an extremely important role for both farmers and consumers,” said Anne Alonzo, the services administrator, in a release. “They bring urban and rural communities together while creating economic growth and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods.”
The National Farmers Market Directory is available at FarmersMarkets.USDA.gov, and provides information about market locations, directions, operating times, product offerings and more.
The data is collected through voluntary self-reporting, and is searchable by ZIP code, produce mix and other criteria.
The directory receives more than 2 million visits annually.
California has the most farmers markets with 764, followed by New York with 638. Florida has 234, with 11 of them within a 20-mile radius of Land O’ Lakes, according to the directory.
That includes Cheyenne’s Country Thangs in Lutz, Florida Estates Winery Market in Land O’ Lakes, and the Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market in Wesley Chapel.
All geographic regions saw increases in their market listings, with the most growth in the south, according to the USDA. The states with the biggest increases included Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Arkansas, North Carolina, Montana, Florida and Nebraska.
Development of farmers markets is a cornerstone of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the department’s policy, resources and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems.
