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Urbana’s Market at the Square to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week on August 9th

Date: August 5, 2014 - 8:40am to August 9, 2014 - 11:59pm


US Postal Service Farmers Market Stamps


Every day this summer communities are converging to celebrate a simple miracle: farmers, as stewards of rural America, coming together to share a harvest that’s feeding local families. The result? More viable regional economies; increased access to fresh, nutritious food; and stronger social networks that help keep communities strong.


United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 3–9, 2014 as National Farmers Market Week. In celebration, Urbana’s Market at the Square will host a ceremony on Saturday, August 9th at 8:30 a.m. at the northwest corner of the Market. Join Market staff, vendors, community groups, elected officials and members of the community as City of Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing reads a proclamation declaring August 3-9 as National Farmers Market Week. Afterwards, the Urbana Public Arts Program will host an art workshop featuring veggie stamping with The Land Connection and a performance showcasing Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen. There will also be a farmers market blood drive hosted by Community Blood Services of Illinois, as well as plenty of fun and free giveaways including stickers, reusable tote bags, and more.


This year marks the 15th annual National Farmers Market Week. Since the USDA began declaring National Farmers Market Week, the number of farmers markets has more than doubled, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to over 8,000 in 2013. There are over 347 farmers markets in Illinois alone. These numbers have continued to rise in 2014 as farmers markets become fresh food mainstays for shoppers across all socio-economic, political, and ethnic ranges. Farmers markets bolster local economies, improve community health, and bring diverse groups of people together through a shared social space. Also in celebration of National Farmers Market Week, the United States Postal Service issued a new series of Forever stamps depicting different combindations of farmers market goods (photo of new stamps shown above).


Urbana’s Market at the Square is celebrating 35 years in Urbana throughout this 2014 season. As of 2014, Urbana’s Market at the Square boasts over 200 vendors and community groups, including over 50 local produce, meat and dairy vendors, a variety of food trucks, and dozens of talented local artisans.


The mission of Urbana’s Market at the Square reads:
Urbana’s farmers market is a vibrant market that connects the community with local food growers and producers, strengthens our local food economy, provides access to local artisans, and serves as a community gathering place.


“Farmers markets grow healthy farms, healthy people, and healthy communities” says Pat Stieren, Executive Director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. “During a slow economic recovery, farmers markets are stand-out successes in delivering triple bottom line benefits while making entrepreneurship work in communities large and small. During Farmers Market Week, we invite everyone to celebrate their local farmers markets and enjoy fresh local food from America’s most innovative farmers.


For more information on Urbana's Market at the Square, please visit www.urbanaillinois.us/market or follow the Market on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Last modified:Thursday, September 29, 2016 - 09:57
- Author: Visitor