August 3, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minneapolis, Minn.— Mill City Farmers Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 6-12. At Mill City’s new Tuesday Night Market on August 8, they will have a reusable bag giveaway, live music at 5:30 p.m. and pizza, rice bowls, curries, tacos and more for a farm-to-table dinner in the park across from US Bank Stadium! At Mill City’s Saturday Market on August 12, there will be a 10:30 a.m. cooking demo with Chef Nettie Colón of Red Hen Gastro Lab, live music at 11 a.m. and live sheep and hens from Oliver H. Kelley historic farm! In addition to activities at the market, Mill City is hosting trivia on its Facebook and Instagram accounts all week. Each correct answer to their daily questions earns participants an entry into a drawing for $25 in market tokens, which can be used at any of the market’s 120+ farmers, food makers and artists!
“Our hope is that events like National Farmers Market week, drive customers to see the value that farmers markets and local farmers and businesses bring to our urban community, inspiring them to shop at farmers markets for their groceries year-round,” says Jenny Heck, one of the managers of Mill City Farmers Market.
As demand for local food continues to grow, so too have the opportunities for America’s farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), farmers markets and farm stands account for roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that Americans spend annually on farm-direct products. This revenue, in turn, supports the livelihoods of more than 165,000 mostly small and mid-sized farms and ranches.
The Mill City Farmers Market began in 2006, and currently hosts a variety of farmers, food makers and artists who all meet the market’s Sustainability Statement, which among other things requires vendors to use sustainable farming practices and ingredient sourcing. Mill City Farmers Market also has a robust Charitable Fund that provides “can-do” healthy cooking classes to market shoppers, over 5,000 pounds of donated produce to community members in need each season and over $66,000 in grants to local farmers.
“Farmers markets play a vital role not just in generating real income for farmers, but in forming a healthy, prosperous food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture and sharing recipes and new foods with their neighbors. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.“
Founded in 2006 by acclaimed local chef Brenda Langton and the Mill City Museum, Mill City Farmers Market is Minneapolis’ trusted source for healthy, local and organic groceries, bringing a wide assortment of fresh food, cooking education and live entertainment to one beautiful place. The Saturday Market, located next to the Guthrie Theater on 2nd Street S. and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis’ Downtown East neighborhood, runs every Saturday May-October and the new Night Market runs every Tuesday night at The Commons park through the end of September.
###
More Info about National Farmers Market Week:
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Proclaims National Farmers Market Week (USDA Press Release)
Farmers Market Facts (from the National Farmers Market Coalition)
Photo credit to Mill City Times. High resolution photos of Mill City Farmers Market available for press on dropbox.