Press Releases

08/02/2021

Governor Lamont Urges Residents To buy Connectireduce Grown All by way of Nationwide Farmers Market Week

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is urging Connectireduce residents to assist native farmers during Nationwide Farmers Market Week – which runs from August 1 to 7, 2021 – by buying for regionally developn merchandise designated with the Connectireduce Grown emblem and go toing A pair of of the Greater than 90 licensed farmers markets statewide.

An inventory Of every licensed farmers market in Connectireduce Might be found on-line at www.CTGrown.gov/farmersmarkets. An intperiodctive map of farmers markets May even be out there at www.CTGrown.org.

Now in its 22^nd yr, Nationwide Farmers Market Week highlights the very important position that farmers markets play Inside the nation’s meals system. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that native meals methods with brief current chains are resilient, and farmers markets maintain communities related whereas addressing meals insecurity by offering packages for In all probability the most weak residents to entry current, nutritious, native meals.

“Our farmers markets in Connectireduce current for significant connections between the farmers who develop the meals we eat and the communities who assist them,” Governor Lamont said. “Our state has a rich historic previous of agriculture and farming, and these markets assist maintain the enterprise shifting, creating jobs, and rising healthful produce for all of our residents to take pleasure in.”

“Growing up on a household-owned farm in Middletown, I do know firsthand how important our regionally-owned farms are to their communities,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Connectireduce Grown merchandise are Definitely one of the biggest in our nation, And There Is not any higher place To buy them than at our state’s farmers markets. I encourage Connectireduce residents To revenue from our rich agricultural heritage and go to one of our superb farmers markets, not simply this week, however by way ofout the season.”

The Connectireduce Division of Agriculture administers the Farmers’ Market Vitamin Program (FMNP), which assists seniors over the age of 60 And women, infants, And youthfulsters who meet sure eligibility ideas with assist to buy current fruits, greens, reduce herbs, and honey. These people can redeem vouchers at licensed farmers’ markets or farm stands by way ofout the state. Many farmers’ markets furtherly take part Inside the Supplemental Vitamin Assistance Program, or SNAP, with some offering doubling advantages. Nationwide, SNAP advantages redeemed at farmers’ markets elevated by 50% over 2019. It is estimated that For every greenback of nutrition incentives spent on farm direct buys it Leads to a contrihoweverion of As a lot as three greenbacks to the U.S. financial system.

While farmers markets gasoline native economies, Additionally They current Definitely one of many solely low-barrier entry factors For mannequin spanking new farmers and meals entrepreneurs. There are 3.5 occasions as many U.S. farmers over the age of 65 as there are beneath 35. For youthful and starting farmers, direct advertising by way of Group Supported Agriculture (CSAs) and farmers’ markets make up Almost all of their income.

“Farmers markets are important to fostering a direct relationship between the farmer and the community they feed,” Connectireduce Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. “They’re essential To Guarantee our subsequent period of farmers Is in a place to develop and thrive whereas furtherly creating An space That is protected, inviting, and entryible to all.”

Connectireduce’s agriculture enterprise genperiodtes an influence of $4 billion on the state’s financial system and fosters Greater than 21,000 jobs. There are Greater than 200 licensed farmers or farm stands promoting fruits, greens, and honey with nearly 750 farmers promoting All Sorts of Connectireduce Grown farm merchandise, collectively with meat, dairy, shellfish, flowers, and fiber at markets In further than 50% of the state’s municipalities.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Fb: Office of Governor Ned Lamont