August is Farmers Market Month in South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh Weathers, Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 29, 2009

Celebrate Farmers Market Month in South Carolina in August

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Hugh Weathers, South Carolina’s Commissioner of Agriculture, is pleased to
announce that Governor Mark Sanford has proclaimed the month of August as Farmers Market Month in South Carolina, an extension of National Farmers Market Week, August 2-8.

To celebrate farmers markets as a valuable part of the state’s food distribution system and to encourage consumers to buy local produce and products, Commissioner Weathers encourages everyone to eat local by shopping at any of the Departments three farmers markets or the nearly 90 community-based markets across the state.

“The local farmers market is a great place to teach children about the origin of their food,”
Commissioner Weathers said. “It’s also a great way to support your local farmers by buying locally grown.”

He added consumers should look for the Certified SC Grown logo. “If you don’t see it then ask for it,” Weathers said.

Farmers markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce and products and enable farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers. Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers throughout the state and nation.

Economists say that every $100,000 increase in farm sales creates up to five new jobs and generates another $200,000 in economic activity. “When people buy from farmers markets, they add to the farm income and help them stay in business,” Commissioner Weathers said. “It also helps the environment because their food travels a shorter distance to get to the market.”

Commissioner Weathers asks the people of South Carolina to connect with their agricultural roots by visiting their local farmers market or stopping by one of the three state farmers markets at 1001 Bluff Road in Columbia, 2513 W. Lucas Street in Florence and at 1354 Rutherford Road in Greenville.

Discover the wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as plants, flowers, and other agricultural products available.