Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas Farmers’ markets are essential to the vitality of Massachusetts farms and are part of the cultural tradition of the Commonwealth; and

Whereas  Farmers’ markets create a festive open air setting which enhances community spirit and civic pride by offering a natural place for community gathering; and

Whereas The Commonwealth is home to more than 250 farmers’ markets and growing; and

Whereas In Massachusetts, over 100 farmers’ markets now participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, thereby increasing access to fresh, healthy foods to all citizens of the Commonwealth; and

Whereas Farmers’ markets help heighten public awareness of the agricultural diversity of Massachusetts and the benefits of buying local and preserving open space; and

Whereas It is befitting for the citizens of Massachusetts to recognize the continued contribution of farmers’ markets to local consumers, as well as their positive impact on the economy of the Commonwealth,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim August 19th – 25th,  2012 to be,

Massachusetts Farmers’
Market Week

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, seventeenth day of July, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

By His Excellency                  

Deval L. Patrick                     
Governor of the Commonwealth       

William Francis Galvin            
Secretary of the Commonwealth

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts