GREENSBORO FARMERS CURB MARKET CELEBRATES NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK AUGUST 2-8
National Farmers Market Week is August 2-8, 2015. The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market will celebrate Wednesday, August 5th and Saturday August 8th with 50% off massages from Bluestone Bodywork any Wednesday in August (5th, 12th, 19th and 26th) and 50% off market shopping bags ($2.50).
The Market will also host BLT Challenge and Tomato Tasting Day on August 8th out on the lawn. Come celebrate this summer fruit and taste 6 different chef creations of the BLT from these local restaurants, Burger Warfare, Emma Keys, LaRue, Melt, The Undercurrent, and the Greensboro Farmers Market team. Enjoy live music and kid friendly activities. The cost is $5 with proceeds benefiting the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market.
The Market will offer special discounts to first time customers. Stop by the manager’s table under the clock or August 8th during the BLT Challenge for more information. In addition, market vendors will offer free samples and there will be temporary tattoos for kids of all ages all month long.
Farmers markets are more than just an outlet for fresh produce and friendly farmers. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, these grassroots venues have increased in number by over 60% since 2009 to nearly 8,500 today. These markets preserve farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh nutritious food, improve community health, and promote sustainability. For example, growers selling locally create thirteen full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned while those that do not sell locally only create three. The Farmers Market Coalition recently released a series of fact sheets detailing the many other impacts of markets. North Carolina is home to 225 farmers markets.
“Farmers markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture, sharing recipes, and exposing them to new foods. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier. “
“Our mission at the Market is to connect producers with consumers and provide the greater Greensboro community with a local, healthy food system while contributing to the local economy. National Farmers Market Week celebrates the local food movement and all of its benefits to community members and farmers alike,” says Lee Mortensen, the Executive Director.
Greensboro Farmers Curb Market participates in the SNAP/EBT program. Those who receive the SNAP/EBT benefits (formerly called food stamps) can access fresh foods year-round at the market. The market matches SNAP withdrawals up to $15 each Wednesday Mid-Market through grant assistance from four local foundations: Hillsdale Fund, Cone Health Foundation, Mary Lynn Richardson Foundation, and Mary Norris Preyer Fund. Since February 2013, the market has facilitated 1700 SNAP transactions, with customers withdrawing $32,000 from their accounts, and the Market providing $22,000 in matching funds. In addition, they participate in Women Infants and Children (WIC), the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Farmer Foodshare. These programs encourage better health through healthy eating which is a vital part of the mission at the Market.
Greensboro Farmers Curb Market began in 1874, and currently has 105 vendors, 75 of which are farmers, selling a wide variety of products, including produce, fish, meats, eggs, prepared foods, flowers and artisan goods all within 100 miles of origin