All Things Local During the Farmers’ Market Week in Maryland (VIDEO)

Governor Larry Hogan issued a statewide proclamation announcing Aug. 2 to 8 as Farmer’s Market Week in Maryland.

During this week, residents are encouraged to visit farmers’ market in their neighborhoods to buy local products. There are 25 farmers’ markets all around Montgomery County.

“Buying local supports our family farms, our local jobs and our local economies. By shopping at farmers’ markets, Marylanders can offer their families fresh, healthy produce while ensuring a greener, more sustainable Maryland. I hope that Marylanders will join in the celebration by visiting a market near them,” Hogan said on a news release.

Take a look at this video celebrating Farmer’s Market Week from the Maryland Department of Agriculture:

Debra Moser, along with her husband Mitch Berliner, run farmer’s markets in Bethesda, Rockville, and Fairfax. Moser said the state has been “very” supportive.

“There’s a lot of information going to farmers in how to coordinate and get everybody together to provide resources for the community,” Moser said.

She runs the Bethesda Central Farm Market, Pike Central Farm Market, and Mosaic Central Farm Market. The Bethesda market has 63 vendors all year round while Rockville and Fairfax both have 40 vendors.

“I do this with my husband and we’ve kind of split up the duties and we do have a staff working on social media and writing blogs,” she said.

The winter market, she said, is another opportunity to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and more to all residents in Montgomery County.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, more than 400 Maryland farmers also participate in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for Women, Infants, Children (WIC) and Seniors. This program helps expand access for low-income Marylanders to be able to purchase fresh local produce at their local farmers’ market. About a quarter of the markets also participate in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as food stamps. Some statistics about Maryland farmers’ markets:

• Total number of MDA Recognized Farmers Markets: 143
• Number of markets with FMNP/FVC authorized farmers: 143
• Number of markets with SNAP: 46
• Year-round markets: 12

Moser said the Bethesda market is year-round; a market that started in 2008 with only 17 vendors and is today one of the largest in the region.

“We want to provide good food for everybody,” she said.

To find out more about farmers’ markets in Montgomery County, click here.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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