Number of US farmers markets surges | Statesman Journal | statesmanjournal.com

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — As demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables has increased, so too has the number of urban farmers markets sprouting up across the nation.The U.S. Department of Agriculture will announce Friday that the number of direct-sales markets has increased 9.6 percent in the past year, with California and New York leading the way.”Farmers markets are a critical ingredient to our nation’s food system,” USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. “These outlets provide benefits not only to the farmers looking for important income opportunities, but also to the communities looking for fresh, healthy foods.”After 18 years of steady increases, the number of farmers markets across the country now registered with the USDA is 7,864. In 1994, there were 1,744.

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