WVDA Celebrates National Farmers’ Market Week

Charleston, W.Va. – Mark your calendar! National Farmers’ Market Week is August 7-13. This is the 17th year for the event which helps promote local growers and producers.
Now is the perfect time to visit one of the state’s 93 farmers’ markets to stock up on WV-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh cut meat, value-added products and plants. Whether you’re looking for green beans or yellow peppers, tomatoes or potatoes, you can’t beat the taste.
“West Virginia growers and producers are proud of what they do. And they should be,” stresses Commissioner of Agriculture Walt Helmick. “They work hard to bring you the freshest quality produce and products. All you have to do is visit your local farmers’ market to taste the fruits of their labor.”
Ninety-eight percent of agriculture here in West Virginia takes place on small farms, averaging 169 acres. Some sell their products to large companies, but a majority focus on getting their food to local tables. Unlike a big store, the fruits and vegetables you’ll find at a farmers’ market were likely picked just hours before.
The Bridgeport Farmers’ Market is celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week on Sunday, August 7. A local chef will demonstrate how to cook up fresh foods once you get them home. The market is also hosting a brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music.
The Wild Ramp in Huntington is having a special event August 9 at 11 a.m. with the unveiling of their new pop-up kitchen and a cooking demo of the winning recipe from The American Heart Association’s Farmers Market Recipe Challenge.
For more information about West Virginia’s Farmers’ Markets, contact WVDA Communication’s Officer Buddy Davidson at bdavidson@wvda.us or 304-558-3708/304-541-5932.