ELIZABETHTON — Every Tuesday since early spring, the Elizabethton Farmer’s Market has been setting up at the Covered Bridge Park to offer the freshest of produce to the citizens of Carter County. But today’s farmer’s market will be a bit special. No, the produce will be just as good as it has been all season.
But today’s gathering of farmers and customers will observe National Farmers Market Week. Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby will be at the farmers market at 4:30 p.m.
today to read a proclamation that will be presented to the next meeting of the Carter County Commission to proclaim Carter County Farmers Market Week. The proclamation to be considered by the commission says Carter County famers “provide citizens with access to healthful, locally and regionally produced foods” through the famers market. According to the proclamation, farmers market and other agricultural direct marketing outlets across the nation contribute approximately $9 billion to the U.
S. economy each year. The proclamation also says “farmers markets serve as significant outlets by which small-to-medium, new and beginning, and veteran agricultural producers market agricultural products, generating revenue that supports the sustainability of family farms and the revitalization of rural communities nationwide.
” The National Farmers Market Week is a celebration of the role farmers markets play in providing access to fresh produce and goods. National Farmers Week is organized by the Farmers Market Coalition and recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture through a yearly proclamation. This marks the 25th year the national event has been observed.
The Elizabethton Farmers Market will be open today from 4-7 p.m., as it is every Tuesday.
Donica Krebs, manager of the Elizabethton Farmers Market, said the mayor’s visit “is a way to let the people know about the benefits of what we do every week from June through September.” She said the produce sold in the market “is 100% locally grown and not being resold from somewhere outside the region.” Krebs said that in addition to produce, the market also sells USDA-inspected local meat and poultry, baked goods and local honey.
Krebs said the farmers market is supported by local groups like the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, the United Way, Keep Carter County Beautiful, Northeast Community Credit Union and Bright Speed. While the market is supported by the these organizations, it also receives federal and state grants that make it possible for the market to provide additional help for families in need. She said the market receives help from the Appalachian Resources Conservation and Development Council to support such programs as the Double Up Food Bucks, where every $20 in food stamps that is spent at the farmers market is matched with an additional $20 of produce.
Ashley Lavender, Food Access Program director for the council said programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Health are helping the nine farmers markets in the region, which stretch from Greene County to Johnson County.
In addition, the council is promoting programs from these federal and state departments which promote a healthier lifestyle, such as the Farmacy Fit Frequent Walker Program, which supports healthy eating and exercise at farmers markets. Participants who complete eight walks in eight weeks gets their choice of a stainless steel water bottle or a bamboo bento box..
