The American Farmland Trust, the organization behind the national No Farms No Food movement, handed out awards for its Farmers Market Celebration. These awards are given to markets around the country that have made a significant impact in their communities.
This past weekend marked the end of AFT’s 10th annual event and with it the results of a summer-long effort to promote the importance of family farms and farmers markets. Markets were evaluated in four categories: Focus on Farmers, Healthy Food for All, Pillar of the Community, and Champion for the Environment.
After months of participation and voting from across the nation, the results are in:
First place, The 2018 People’s Choice Award, goes to The Winter Garden Farmers Market in Winter Garden, Florida.
Runners up were:
- Swarthmore Farmers Market, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
- Charlottesville City Market, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Clarksville Downtown Farmers Market, Clarksville, Tennessee
- Williamsburg Farmers Market, Williamsburg, Virginia
Supporting local farmers markets is more than just a way to nourish ourselves, it’s a way to keep small farms viable. The beneficial relationship between eater and farmer is what AFT hopes to encourage and cultivate each summer and throughout the year as a part of the Farmers Market Celebration.
