National Farmers Market Week celebrates the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. Across the Land-Grant University System, Cooperative Extension programs are helping these markets serve as engines for economic opportunity, food access, and community well-being. Supporting veterans entering the agriculture industry University of Idaho Extension’s Harvest Heroes program provides military veterans with hands-on farming experience, mentorship, and business training as they explore careers …
Fighting Food Deserts with Farmers Markets
Farmers markets play a crucial role in combating food deserts by providing fresh, locally sourced produce to communities that lack access to nutritious food. By bringing healthy options to neighborhoods with limited grocery stores, farmers markets help improve diet quality, reduce food insecurity, and promote overall community health. Here are just a few examples of how land-grant universities are fighting …
4-H programming at the Natchitoches Farmer’s Market
4-H is a youth development organization devoted to bringing innovative programs to youth across the nation. Focused on providing innovative Healthy Living Programming, 4-H seeks to empower youth to make healthy choices and bring healthy habits to their families and communities. According to County Health Rankings.org, Natchitoches Parish boasts a 42% obesity rate, 32% of the children live in poverty, …
Alabama Beginning Farmer Program
Alabama has a booming fruit and vegetable production industry which generates more than $160 million in revenue and provides employment to thousands of residents. The growth in the industry is also representative of the growth in local food movement and organic farming in the South. It is incredibly difficult to start farming, especially if the individual does not have earlier …
Fresh on DeK brings nutrition education
DeKalb County residents are still experiencing negative impact on health and wellness due to high food costs and impact from COVID-19. Concerns over food insecurity also affect physical and mental health. The DeKalb County Fresh on DeK Mobile Farmers Market was established to serve DeKalb County citizens in the areas of nutrition and wellness. The Mobile Farmer’s Market visits 16 …
New manual aids farmers market start-ups and maintenance
Farmers markets are a sales outlet for many South Dakota gardeners, but they can also help strengthen a community by stimulating the local economy and creating local entrepreneurial opportunities. Markets can promote food quality by reducing the distance that food travels from farm to consumer. When shipping is less of a concern, produce can be picked when it is full …
Prioritizing food and nutrition security
Many Michiganders struggle to reliably access nutrient-rich foods; this is especially true for households with children and with racial and ethnic minorities. MSU Extension community nutrition instructors contribute to efforts throughout the state focused on supporting access to and consumption of vegetables and fruit. MSU Extension staff members delivered relevant and practical nutrition education—a key component of the Fruit and …
The St. Helena Farmers Market, a small oasis in a rural food desert
Food insecurity, defined as the lack of access to a reliable source of food during a given year, is high in St. Helena, one of Louisianas eight Florida Parishes. The food insecurity rate here is 32%. There are only two grocery stores nearby: one in town and another about 10 miles outside of town. St. Helena Parish is not alone …