NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MSC 3189, P.O Box 30005 - Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8005 Office of the Director/Secretary Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, Director/Secretary
MEDIA ADVISORY	Fax: (505)646-8120

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For Immediate Release	Contact: Doug Rains (505) 646-2804
July 31, 2007

Las Cruces, New Mexico—New Mexico’s Governor Richardson and Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico secretary of agriculture, today joined United States (U.S.) Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns in proclaiming August 5-11 “National Farmers’ Market Week.”

Governor Richardson issued a state proclamation today “to call special and deserved attention to the many farmers’ markets in New Mexico and their many benefits to local farmers and consumers.”

The number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. has grown dramatically in recent years, prompting state and national advocates of local farming to designate a week each year to take note of their benefits.   The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports over 4,500 farmers’ markets currently operate throughout the nation—a record number, up from 2,800 in the year 2000.  Sales generated by farmers’ markets have been estimated to exceed $1 billion a year, with most of the money going directly to small family farmers.

New Mexico has seen increases in the number of farmers’ markets during the same period, from 34 to 45.

“The vitality of small- and medium-sized farms across New Mexico is good for local economies, good for consumers, and good for our state’s citizens,” said Governor Richardson.  “Many communities find it rewarding to invest in local markets as a component of economic development and are realizing benefits from the resulting tourism.”

Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico secretary of agriculture, said “Consumers benefit from the freshness, quality, and wide selection of locally grown products.  Meeting and interacting with the farmer who grows the food also develops in consumers a special bond of trust in the integrity and accountability of our growers.”

USDA is developing numerous initiatives to increase farmer and consumer awareness of the convenience and value of farmers’ markets.
 
The governor said New Mexico Department of Agriculture and USDA are working together to increase the development of farmers’ markets, and in the last decade the federal-state partnership has emphasized a critical need to help small farmers and  provide consumers access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Secretary Johanns observed that about one in four farmers’ markets in the country contribute their surplus to gleaning programs that distribute food to local homeless shelters, community pantries, and other charitable organizations that feed the hungry.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service works with states to encourage market growth, while its Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services help needy families gain access to healthy produce.  One result is that more than 2,300 farmers’ markets nationwide now accept coupons from recipients of the Federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance program.  Many New Mexico farmers’ markets take part in the WIC program and some accept food stamps as well.

Information on farmers’ markets, including USDA’s National Directory of Farmers’ Markets, is available at www.ams.udsa.gov/farmersmarkets or by calling (202) 690-8103.  Information on farmers’ markets in New Mexico is available at www.farmersmarketsnm.org or by calling (888) 983-4400.

For further information please contact Doug Rains, NMDA Public Relations, at 646-2804.