Date: August 3, 2005
Contacts:
| Barbara Schoof Conant Director of Communications (785) 296-6154 barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us |
 Lisa Taylor Kansas Department of Agriculture (785) 296-2653 ltaylor@kda.state.ks.us |
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TOPEKA – Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky and Secretary on Aging Pamela Johnson-Betts will kick off National Farmers’ Market Week, which runs from Aug. 7 to 13, with a visit to the downtown Topeka Farmers Market at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.
“I’m glad I can take part in recognizing the important role farmers’ markets play in our communities,” Polansky said. “I know of no better place to find the wide variety of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables picked when they are most flavorful and nutritious.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on May 10 declared Aug. 7 to 13 National Farmers’ Market Week to promote awareness of farmers’ markets and the contributions farmers make to daily life in America.
“I encourage all people of the United States to celebrate the benefits of farmers’ markets and the bountiful production of our nation’s farmers who, while providing for our needs, are among the best stewards of our land,” Johanns said in his proclamation.
One group of Kansans enjoying the bounty of farmers’ markets are low-income seniors who are on the receiving end of a nutrition program administered by the Kansas Department on Aging. Since 2003, the department has been able to turn federal dollars into pre-printed “cheques” or coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs.
“This is a win-win program,” said Secretary Johnson-Betts. “It’s helping create an important relationship between seniors and their local food producers. Seniors tell us they enjoy the ‘outings’ and the social interaction as much as they appreciate access to affordable fresh food.”
Kansas farmers’ markets typically run from late spring to early fall and are frequented by customers who want fresh, locally grown foods and to get to know the person who grew it.
“Farmers’ markets allow consumers to meet the farmers who are growing the fruits and vegetables they are purchasing,” said Ruth Smerchek, program manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s agriculture marketing division. “They can ask questions and build a bond of trust with that person.”
Kansas currently has 68 farmers’ markets in 65 communities from Garden City to Kansas City, which is considerably more than the 26 markets operating in 1987. The growing number of markets in Kansas mimics a national trend. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that more than 3,700 markets currently operate throughout the nation, up from 1,755 in 1994. Sales from farmers’ markets exceed $1 billion a year.
The downtown Topeka Farmers’ Market is open on Saturday mornings from April to November. It’s located in a parking lot on the southeast corner of 10 th Street and Topeka Boulevard. The market opens at 7:30 a.m.
Every third Saturday, the market has a guest chef who selects products from market vendors and then demonstrates how those foods can be prepared. This week, Jason McCord from the Topeka Country Club will give a cooking demonstration starting at 9:30 a.m. in a tent in the central part of the market.
“I hope that Kansans who have not yet visited their local farmers’ market do so during National Farmers’ Market Week,” Polansky said. “They’re a great place to find fresh, locally grown food, and they provide an integral link between urban, suburban and rural communities.”
Finding the nearest farmers’ market is as easy as calling a local K-State Research and Extension Office. A list of market sites also is available on the Web at www.oznet.ksu.edu/pr_kfmd/.