Good Produce for All

We’ve mentioned before that your Peachtree Road Farmers Market is the largest producer-only market in metro Atlanta. The fact that everything at the Market has been grown, raised, or made by the seller is something we take pride in as a way to honor our vendors and our customers. You won’t find any products that were purchased elsewhere up for resale, ensuring that what you do find are fair prices and fair competition.

If you’re liking what we’re producing, won’t you please share the love and vote us as America’s Favorite Farmer’s Market? We’re currently in the top 20 with a few weeks to go! The contest ends on August 31, so take time now to click us up a notch.

Last week’s release of the Top 20 leader board was in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers Market Week, bringing awareness to the more than 5,000 farmers markets across the country that are supporting local farmers and farmland. Also last week, Georgia Organics noted research that if each household in Georgia spent $10 per week on local produce, more than $1.9 billion would be pumped back into the state's economy. The new study, "The Local Food Impact: What if Georgians Ate Georgia Produce" – conducted by the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, funded by Georgia Organics, the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, and other partners – goes on to say that for every 5 percent increase in local produce purchasing, the state would see 345 additional jobs, $43.7 million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income.

Now’s the time to support awareness of your Market and its impact on your community! At the end of the contest, one large, medium, small, and boutique-sized farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010. The reward for the winning markets will be a promotional package including free printing and design services, a shipment of No Farms No Food® tote bags, and more to support their role in bringing farmers, food and the community together!

Cast your vote now at Farmland.org/vote


- Jennifer Maley