Monroe's Farmers Market Is In the Top 100 Most Celebrated Farmers Markets

The Top 100 Most Celebrated Farmers Markets list for 2013 was released Tuesday last week, and Monroe Farmers Market was not on it. In fact, the market wasn't even in the competition.

Organizers fixed that in a hurry and by Sunday, not only was Monroe's Farmer entered in the competition, but it had made its way up to No. 32 on the list with $460 worth of pledges. Snellville Farmers Market still leads the pack, at more than $8,000 in pledges.

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

The rankings are based on pledges to support the farmers market. 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 contest ends Sept. 9. To pledge your support of Monroe's Farmers Market, click here. 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.

Visit www.lovemyfarmersmarket.org to sign the online pledge form. Each week one participant and their favorite farmer will be selected to receive a free No Farms No Food hat.