FARMERS’ MARKETS ARE IN FULL SWING

The history of farmers’ markets dates back thousands of years. Farmers began by growing enough just food for themselves. But as farming practices improved, and they were able to grow more than needed, farmers’ markets became a way to sell or trade the excess food.

In the early days of the United States, farmers would fill their wagons with products to sell in more urban areas. Today, with winter farmers’ markets becoming more and more popular, farmers’ markets have become a year-round tradition.

Now that the growing season is here, the farmers’ markets are everywhere in Wisconsin – and so is the delicious food farmers and producers supply for us.

More and more consumers are looking to buy local, with the result that the number of operating farmers markets in the United States has increased considerably in recent years; in fact, it has nearly doubled over the past 10 years. In 2009, the number of farmers’ markets in the nation reached a new high of 5,274 as reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. The growth has been so steady, that the USDA now tracks the number of markets with an annual tally instead of counting every other year. From 2008 to 2009, the national number grew 13 percent! That is exciting.

Wisconsin itself has nearly 300 farmers markets located all over the state. To find a farmers’ market in your area, visit www.savor wisconsin.com and use the farmers’ market search engine on the site. Since it was launched in 2004, this Web site has grown steadily and has now become a one-stop-shop for finding all sorts of Wisconsin products and ways to buy locally. On the Web site, you can search for farmers’ markets by city or by zip code just as you do for other products.

The listings give information on the days and times that the markets are open; they also provide a link to the market’s Web site and other contact information. It will also tell you where to find fun and exciting local events.

The many farmers’ markets across Wisconsin have unique histories and stories to go with them.

The West Allis Farmers’ Market may be the oldest in southeastern Wisconsin, dating back to 1919.

In Milwaukee, the Fondy Farmers’ Market located on Fond du Lac Avenue has provided urban farmers and vendors a place to sell their products for 30 years.

The Menomonie Farmers’ Market is a newer one that has been in operation since 2000; it sees an average of three to four new vendors each year.

And probably one of Wisconsin’s most well known is Madison’s Dane County Farmers’ Market located on the Capitol Square. Since 1972, the Dane County Farmers’ Market has brought together both rural and urban populations. Today, the market reaches far beyond the city and county borders. Vendors and shoppers come from all around to sell and buy a wide variety of Wisconsin products.

Now that farmers’ markets are open for the growing season, it will be especially easy to keep your “Spend 10 in 2010” resolution (that I know each of you has made). Throughout the New Year, I’ve been talking about this slogan, encouraging Wisconsin residents to spend 10 percent of their food budget on local products. Right now, the average American spends only about one percent of their food dollars on local products.

As Wisconsinites, we spend about $19 billion each year on food. If we all increase our local buying to 10 percent, we can help keep nearly $2 billion here in our state. That money would be an enormous help to our farmers and the state.

Buying Wisconsin products supports our local farmers, producers, communities, economies, and all Wisconsin agriculture.

Now, get out there are do some local shopping at a local farmers’ market!

Alice in Dairyland is Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador. She travels over 40,000 miles each year to spread the word about our agricultural industry. Alice in Dairyland can be reached by writing to DATCP, 2811 Agriculture Drive, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53718.

You can schedule Alice for an upcoming event by contacting the Alice in Dairyland Program at (608) 224-5080 or by e-mail at DATCPAlice@wisconsin.gov.