Martinsburg Farmer’s Market an example of USDA goal to promote agriculture, support communities

Posted: Aug 5, 2021 / 08:04 PM EDT
/ Up So far: Aug 5, 2021 / 08:04 PM EDT

Household farms like this one in Berkeley County, West Virginia serve farmers markets Simply like the one in dpersonalmetropolis Martinsburg every Friday at 5 till October.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (WDVM) — This summer time season has consumers taking full benefit of the abundance of current crops and produce from farm to desk. These habits are important to our native growers and the area’s agriculture.

Tright here are 8,000 farmer’s markets throughout America. Martinsburg is proud to have Definitely one of them, not solely as a Outcome of the Martinsburg Farmers Market is family nice to kick off a weekend, However in addition as a Outcome of It is a rewarding group expertise and important to close by family farms. The U.S. Division of Agriculture says these markets promote farm manufacturing, create jobs, have worth to consumers and diversify the meals desk.

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“It is so important to assist native farmer’s markets. The produce Isn’t as costly as people assume. I really feel They’ve a fear of going tright here as a Outcome of they’re Not sure In the event that they will get every thing they’re Looking for at a grocery retailer. They fear it Might be Costlier However it’s not!” Maryann Crawley, a small enterprise proprietor On the metropolis, said.

Amanda Tomlin has her personal properly-appreciated catering enterprise in Martinsburg and manages the Friday night farmers markets, which she says provides market-goers meals decisions they in any other case Will not have.

“It’s so the group can have decisions to eat extra healthful. We’re located dpersonalmetropolis and tright here aren’t any grocery retailers For event. So people can come every week and decide up current produce, current meats, eggs, honey,” Tomlin said.

As A spotlight for the group, Tomlin says tright here’s extra right here Than merely stocking the pantry. The farmers market is A spot to serve the group as properly.

“We’ve acquired a youthful gal who — a Highschool scholar — who makes jewelry and All of the proceeds go to a nicedraiser for homeless or foster youthfulsters for A college niced, so we’re actually Joyful with her,” Tomlin said.

For Martinsburg’s senior extreme rise center, the farmers market is a particular added bonus.

“Inside the senior towers, we ship a scorching meal to them Daily. Well, they Get pleasure from strolling Proper dpersonal to the farmers market in dpersonalmetropolis, The metropolis of Martinsburg. Because they wouldn’t usually have the transportation to get the current produce,” said Dianne Waldron, head of Berkeley County Meals on Wheels.

The Martinsburg farmer’s market is open every Friday night dpersonalmetropolis at 5 p.m. till October.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak has issued a proclamation Initially of August To acknowledge family farms and rural communities nationwide for connecting producers and consumers, promoting dietary safety and contributing to a resilient meals system.