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For Immediate Release: Friday, Aug. 3, 2018
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged
Iowans to take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables available at the more
than 200 farmers markets in Iowa as part of National Farmers Market Week, which
runs from Aug. 5 to 11.
“Farmers markets are a great place to find Iowa grown
fruits, vegetables, meats and other products,” Naig said. “This is the time of
year when our markets are packed with fresh, delicious, local foods. I
encourage everyone to participate in National Farmers Market Week by visiting
one of the markets in our state and supporting the farmers who are there.”
Donna Brahms, President of the Iowa Farmers Market
Association also encourages everyone to visit their local farmers
markets. “Iowa’s farmers markets continue to have great success, and many
local markets are holding special events during National Farmers Market
Week. The Iowa Farmers Market Association encourages everyone to visit
and shop their local farmers markets,” she said.
As part of National Farmers Market Week, Naig highlighted
the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. These programs provide eligible low-income
seniors as well as women and children in Iowa with checks that can be redeemed
for fresh, locally grown produce at authorized farmers markets and farm stands
from June 1 through October 31, 2018.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
administers the programs in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public
Health and Iowa Department on Aging. For
more information contact Stephanie Groom, Program Administrator, at 515-725-1179
or at Stephanie.Groom@IowaAgriculture.gov.
Naig also encouraged Iowans to take advantage of the Department’s
online Iowa Farmers Market Directory and Iowa Farmstand Directory. Both
directories provide detailed information on market and farmstand locations,
dates and hours open, links to websites, and details on FMNP check
acceptance. The directories can be found here.
General questions on farmers markets and farmstands can
be directed to the State Horticulturist, Paul Ovrom at paul.ovrom@iowaagriculture.gov
or 515-242-6239.
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For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
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