Sustainable Growth
Image by Michelle Paul
Amidst current economic turmoil, there is bright spot of double-digit growth in the US economy. It’s National Farmers Market Week (August 7 – 13) and the USDA has just released new statistics showing the number of operable farmer’s markets has grown from 6,132 in 2010 to 7,175 in 2011. This 17% increase is consistent with previous years of growth and continues an unstoppable trend for local, organic, community based products.
This rise also coincides with May’s news that 15% of Americans are now on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), otherwise known as Food Stamps. Luckily, many farmer’s market stands are using mobile payment technology to increase acceptance of EBT (electronic benefits transfers), and plastic, making good food more accessible. The USDA also enables you to search for markets based on payments accepted, to ensure that anyone can find fresh, local food.
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