ATLANTA — The Southeast Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service celebrates National Farmers Market Week Aug. 7-13, to highlight the important role farmers markets play in supporting healthy communities, food systems and stimulating local economies in the Southeast region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee).
“Farmers Markets are critical to the future of the food system across the Southeast and our country,” said USDA FNS Southeast Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor. “Our farmers markets are helping to build healthier and stronger communities — we are grateful for their consistent support.”
Farmers markets offer low-income households participating in FNS’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs the opportunity to redeem their benefits for fresh and healthy produce. They also provide a unique low-barrier entry point for beginning farmers and ranchers. By selling directly to the consumer, farmers markets can provide higher returns for farmers and ranchers.
FNS is committed to expanding access to healthy foods by providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefits Transfer benefits to recipients, while supporting economic opportunities for communities.
Currently there are 417 SNAP authorized farmers markets, 515 Senior FMNP and 313 WIC FMNP listed in the Southeast. FNS has online resources for farmers/producers and farmers markets to learn more about becoming authorized to accept SNAP EBT payments and attracting SNAP customers. Additional best practices and SNAP nutrition education resources for farmers markets are found on this FNS webpage.
For more information visit the Farmers Market Directory that can assist consumers to locate local food directories/farmers markets in their states.
