Farmers markets across Tennessee will be celebrating the week of August 2–8 as National Farmers Market Week. Farmers markets play an important role in our local food economies as a source of fresh, local and organic food and this week recognizes the farmers who bring this food to market. The number of farms with direct sales to consumers has increased steadily since 1997 says Hal Pepper, a specialist at the University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture. Census of Agriculture data reports that overall, from 1997 to 2012 the number of Tennessee farms with direct sales to consumers increased from 2,694 to 3,679, a 36.6 percent increase. And the value of agriculture products sold directly to consumers increased by 128.9 percent, from $8.4 million to $19.2 million. The average value of direct sales per farm in Tennessee has also steadily increased and in 2012, the latest year data are available, was $5,214.
Amy Tavalin, farmers market specialist with Tennessee Department of Agriculture, notes that Tennessee was number one in the nation in 2014 for farmers market growth. There are 154 farmers markets listed on the department’s Pick Tennessee Products website. The new Pick Tennessee Mobile App makes it easy to find farmers markets with location, hours and days of operation and contact information.
The Cannon County Farmers Market is also observing the National Farmers Market this week. The market will be open Thursday with some fruits and vegetables and also on Saturday with a much wider participation from area producers. The Cannon County Farmers Market is located at the Farmers Market Pavillion on the grounds of the Arts Center Of Cannon County.
