Monroe Farmers Market Ranks Among Most Celebrated Markets Nationwide

By Sarah Bakhtiari

Monroe Farmers Market has been designated as one of the most celebrated markets across the nation.

The local market ranks No. 21 in the country on the Top 100 Most Celebrated Farmers Markets list compiled by American Farmland Trust's I Love My Farmers Market Celebration.  It placed third in Georgia. Results were based on a contest that ended on Sept. 9. 

American Farmland Trust's I Love My Farmers Market Celebration encourages consumers to pledge to spend $10 at their local farmers market, and then the pledges go toward the market's ranking.

Not only do pledges help a customer's farmers market earn national recognition—it also helps the community. For every $10 spent on local food, as much as $7.80 is re-spent in the local community, supporting local jobs and businesses. Also, the farmer takes home almost $8 to $9 instead of the $1.58 that farmers and ranchers receive when food is purchased through a retail market.

The Top 100 most celebrated markets will receive a special logo honoring their achievement; No Farms, No Food gear; and recognition on the Celebration’s website.

The Monroe Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  on Court Street in downtown. The last day of the 2013 market season is Sept. 28.