We love a good contest–and a good farmers market. And this month, American Farmland Trust launched America’s Favorite Farmers Markets Contest in which farmers market shoppers can vote for their favorite markets. (Several Arizona-based markets are in the contest.) The contest is a nationwide challenge for communities to rally support for their farmers markets. The goal is to promote the connection between fresh, local food and the farms and farmland that supply it. Though interest in and support of farmers markets is on the rise, nearly one million acres of farmland get paved over each year, mostly around cities where there is the greatest demand for food. “Farmers markets offer a great way for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” says American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl. “In addition to providing access to fresh, seasonal foods, farmers markets help strengthen our ties to the land where our food is grown and the people who grow it.”
America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest rules state that people can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but can only vote for each market once. Voting runs through midnight on August 31, when one small, one medium, one large, and one boutique-sized farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2011. The four winning markets will be featured on the leading foodsite Epicurious.com and honored at local celebrations where they’ll receive prize packages from American Farmland Trust and its partners.
Farmers markets can enroll in the competition (it is free) at www.farmland.org/marketmanager. To vote for your favorite farmers markets, visit www.farmland.org/vote.
America’s Favorite Farmers Markets Contest Kicks Off
