Great American Farmers Market: Farm Bureau Connects with Consumers

Traveling hundreds – or thousands – of miles to display and sell products at a farmers market is not something that’s done every day. But more than 30 farmers and ranchers did just that during National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 3-8) in our nation’s capital.

USDA hosted the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to showcase agriculture. Several farmer and rancher Farm Bureau members and state organizations participated.

The event, held daily from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. during the commemorative week, captured the attention of office workers heading for home, tourists and families out for a stroll. Offerings included farm-fresh produce and food, handcrafted goods and specialty items.

Noted Tyson Roberts, a Utah sweet corn, popcorn and garlic grower who participated, “This has been a great opportunity to talk with people here in the nation’s capital about food production. I make my living at farmers markets. I love interacting with people and sharing about where food comes from.”

Chase and Amber Cannady of Florida, owners of North Florida Elderberry, were excited to display their products at the market.

“We’re here to share our story and get the word out about the products we have available,” Chase said. This is their second year of selling elderberry products, primarily in Florida. They’re looking to expand the outlets that sell their products beyond the Sunshine State. The couple does all the work to produce each year’s elderberry crop themselves – everything from planting and pruning to hand harvesting.

Kansas Farm Bureau’s Shop Kansas Farms, which provides direct-to-consumer marketing online, also had a presence at the market. Vistors learned about how farmers in the state sell food that they produce to consumers through a website that is like an online shopping mall.

“It has been wonderful being here,” said Rick McNary, founder of Shop Kansas Farms. “We’ve had steady traffic at the booth with a lot of interest in Kansas-grown products.”

Interested in visiting a farmers market in your local area? USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service connects consumers to producers at over 8,600 farmers markets nationwide through the National Farmers Market Directory at www.usdalocalfoodportal.com.