National Farmers Market Week Wraps Up Today

The following was submitted by Catherine Kernan, head of the Collegeville Farmers Market Committee:

Although our nation’s recent financial news has been exceedingly discouraging, we can all take heart in knowing that pockets of entrepreneurship are alive and well in unexpected places.  With little fanfare, farmers markets throughout Pennsylvania are helping to grow jobs and strengthen local and regional economies.

“Our farmers at the hire local people to help run their farms throughout the growing season,” said Cathy Kernen, head of the Collegeville Farmers Market Committee. 
“Also research shows that the presence of a farmers market spurs spending at local businesses—when customers come to shop at our market, many also stop by nearby businesses. And generally, when customers spend money locally, the money stays locally. About half of our vendors are from Montgomery County, and the rest are from neighboring counties."

 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed this week “National Farmers Market Week” to celebrate the growth of farmers’ Markets. Here in Pennsylvania, in 2011 the number of markets has increased 31 percent for a total of 266 across the state.  And as demand grows for fresh, local food and shoppers seek relationships with farmers and the farms that make such food possible, farmers’ markets are bolstering local economies in communities large and small. 

 “Stacy Miller, executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition, describes farmers markets as the ultimate green sector of the economy,” says Kernen. 
“They deliver triple bottom line benefits as stewards of our earth and water and practice successful entrepreneurship in towns large and small. The Collegeville Farmers Market invites everyone this week to ‘put their money where their mouth is’ by celebrating the power of farmers’ markets to incubate new businesses and nourish local economies by stopping by to shop at our markets.” 

This Saturday, residents can stop by the Collegeville Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 460 E. Main Street in Collegeville behind the AmeriGreen Gas Station, or the Phoenixville Farmers Market, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the Gay Street Bridget just off Phoenixville’s Main Street, or on Sunday at the from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the Montgomery County 4-H Center in Creamery.