The Davis Farmers Market celebrates National Farmers Market Week Aug. 4-10, to raise awareness about the positive impact the market has on the community.
Farmers markets not only provide a nutritious boost to local residents, they help the economy, protect farmland, promote sustainability, encourage entrepreneurship, improve access to healthy food, and increase social interactions.
2019 is the 20th anniversary of National Farmers Market Week, organized by the nonprofit Farmers Market Coalition, a national organization committed to strengthening farmers markets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture started the celebration, to highlight the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system.
Farmers markets foster entrepreneurship, provide an easy entry point with maximum return on investment, and offer immediate feedback on products. Markets like the Davis Farmers Market serve as an innovation lab for small businesses.
“The Davis Farmers Market is very proud to have played a pivotal role in developing the national Farmers Market Coalition,” Executive Director Randii MacNear said. “It has always been part of our mission to be a role model to other markets, and to be a leader in state and national farmers market issues.”
Ben Feldman, a Davis High School graduate who serves as the Farmers Market Coalition’s executive director, said, “National Farmers Market Week is a chance to celebrate all that farmers markets do for communities. This year we are focused on the role that farmers markets play in creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly those who may lack the capital or connections necessary to start a more traditional business.”
Feldman continued, “Farmers market success stories include farms and businesses run by young people, immigrants and the previously incarcerated. With low barriers to entry and a customer base that prioritizes the product over the packaging, farmers markets are the most democratic form of commerce around.”
Capitalizing on bountiful, eye-catching produce and vibrant community, National Farmers Market Week generates extensive social media coverage. Influencers and local food fans are encouraged to help promote the celebration by using the hashtag #FarmersMarketWeek, and participating in Farmers Market Coalition’s #LoveMyMarket Instagram campaign, which kicked off Aug. 1.
The Davis Farmers Market has been an industry leader since 1976. In Central Park, 301 C St., the famous Saturday market runs year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its Wednesday Picnic in the Park is open 4:30 p.m. to sunset, April through October. On Wednesdays from November to March, the Winter Market runs from 3 to 6 p.m.
The Davis Farmers Market operates three partner markets: the UC Davis Farmers Market, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays on the Quad, fall and spring quarters; the Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, May through October; and the market at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, year-round.
