City Council Declares August 7-13 Farmers Market Week
Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 3:38PMExcerpt from the City of Minneapolis August 4 e-news
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a resolution declaring Aug. 7-13 Farmers Market Week. Many farmers markets have special events planned in honor of Minneapolis Farmers Market Week, including live music, chef demonstrations, yoga, raffles and children’s activities. Shoppers can check their favorite market’s website and social media channels to see what’s going on.
Sign seen at the Mill City Farmers Market. Photo: Mill City TimesNineteen farmers markets and mini markets operate in Minneapolis this year. The City of Minneapolis has an online interactive map that makes it easy to find farmers markets all over the city. Clicking on the map pins on the City's website will show the address, season dates, opening times and web address for each market.
An important economic engine, the markets operating in Minneapolis together represented more than $10 million in vendor sales with more than 450 vendors in 2021. The 2021 market vendors in Minneapolis welcomed an estimated 900,000 visitors. Buying food directly at a farmers market strengthens the connection between the business and the customer; in 2021, 95.4% of products sold were produced or made by the vendor.
Local produce is fresh, nutritious and affordable. Most of the markets accept SNAP-EBT (“electronic benefits transfer”) cards as payment, as well as Market Bucks, which provides $20 more for healthy food to market shoppers using SNAP-EBT. In 2021, customers at the Farmers Markets of Minneapolis redeemed more than $180,000 in Market Bucks and SNAP/EBT, showing expanded access to fresh, healthy food for Minneapolis residents who experience food insecurity and receive federal food assistance. Forty-four percent of market vendors donated leftover produce to hunger relief programs in 2021.
Many Minneapolis residents can reach a farmers market on foot or by bicycle, which is good exercise and doesn’t pollute. Many of the farmers markets also serve to build community with prepared food, environment-themed educational activities and music.
