Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Farmers Market Week

Brockton — Governor Maura Healey has declared August 4 to August 10, 2024, as Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. The week highlights the important role of farmers markets in supporting local agriculture and providing and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in Massachusetts. To celebrate, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle and staff, along with local, state, and federal officials, will visit farmers markets throughout the state to highlight how these markets benefit communities by connecting consumers to local farmers and businesses.

“Massachusetts is powered by over 7,000 farms, driving a $607 million agricultural economy,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Nearly 26% of these farms sell directly through farmers markets. As harvest season peaks, our markets burst with fresh summer fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, flowers, fiber, maple and honey, and other locally made delights. We encourage everyone to support our farmers and enjoy these products by visiting their farmers market.”

This week’s theme, "Sustaining Farms, Nourishing Communities," highlights the important role of farmers markets. Farmers markets support local farms, help the local economy, and create welcoming community spaces. They also provide healthy foods and offer family-friendly activities such as cooking demonstrations and live music. Farmers Market Managers and organizations work all year to make these spaces available throughout Massachusetts. Currently, there are over 220 summer and fall farmers markets covering every part of the state.

This past year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration introduced the Farmers Market Sustainability Grant Program which provides funding to organizations that operate farmers markets to enhance their marketing, promotion, consumer education, planning and infrastructure efforts. In its inaugural round, the program has awarded over $200,000 to 23 organizations representing 31 farmers markets to help them grow and expand their outreach to consumers.

In Massachusetts, the majority of farmers markets are proud participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), and the WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Programs which all serve low-income communities in providing individuals and families with increased access to fresh, locally grown produce.

Tours will take place on the following dates and times during Farmers Market Week:

Friday, 8/2 

11:00AM: Brockton Farmers Market

*Haitian Creole and Cape Verdean Creole interpreters will be available to provide translation services

Monday, 8/5 

10:00AM: Truro Farmers Market

Tuesday, 8/6

2:00PM: Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday Farmers Market

Thursday, 8/8

1:30PM: Belmont Farmers Market

A complete listing of farmers markets throughout Massachusetts can be found on the MassGrown & Fresher website.

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