Saturday Market celebrates National Farmers Market Week

Press release

From Aug. 7 through Aug. 13, communities across the country will celebrate their local farmers markets during National Farmers Market Week.

The impact of these farmer-to-consumer transactions is greater than it appears on the surface. Now, more than ever, farmers markets serve as anchors across American communities, positively influencing community health and wealth. Markets result in more viable regional economies and local farm businesses, increased access to fresh, nutritious food and stronger social networks that help keep communities healthy.

The number of farmers markets in the United States continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Havre's Saturday Market is one of more than 8,500 in the country and 79 or more in Montana alone.

Saturday Market began in 2000 under the Saturday Market banner with organization by the Havre Chamber. But there has been a very active market in Havre for many years.

One of the long-time vendors of the market and one-time organizer, Betty Holden, said, "since 1984 I have been a part of a farmers market in Havre."

The mission of the Saturday Market is to provide a venue for area producers and artisans to sell their locally grown and made products. The market brings the quality flavor of local farm produce, wonderful homespun crafts and delicious baked goods into the neighborly ambiance of Town Square creating a traditional activity for the community in the historic downtown area.

The Chamber organizers said, "Thank you to all the vendors that support the market each week. Your dedication to the market is directly related to its success. Saturday Market has grown past the national average of 32 vendors. Thank you to the community for your support of the market each weekend."

Farmers Markets:

• Increase access to fresh, nutritious food

The number of farmers markets and farmers accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits has increased 40 percent, on average, every year since 2009. With affordable prices and special programs for low-income people, markets are expanding access to fresh, nutritious food.

• Stimulate local economics

Farmers markets and other locally owned retailers return more than three times as much of their revenue to the local economy than do chain competitors. This "economic multiplier effect" helps create jobs and boosts economic activity.

• Support healthy communities

Farmers markets provide communities with a healthy food environment. They are places where farmers and neighbors come together to educate each other about nutrition, cooking, and farming. With abundant produce, farmers markets help increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

• Preserves America's rural livelihoods and farmlands

Between 2007 and 2012, America lost more than 95,000 mostly mid-sized family farms, while the average age of American farmers increased to nearly 60. Farmers market serve as business incubators that allow farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs to keep overheads low and test new products and markets.

• Support sustainability

Farmers markets create new business opportunities for farmers interested in selling sustainably produced food. This helps protect the natural environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.

Farmers' markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. Growers all over the world gather weekly to sell their produce directly to the public. In the last decade they have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers, artist, crafters and bakers and a weekly ritual for many shoppers.