The America’s Farmers Market Celebration — the only annual ranking of the top farmers’ markets in the United States as voted on by the public — has kicked off this week for its 15th year.
Since 2008, AFMC has been put on by American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition highlighting the key role farmers markets play in communities across the nation while celebrating the farmers, staff, and volunteers that make markets possible.
While they have long served as pillars of local food in urban centers and town squares, in recent years, farmerss markets have gained the national recognition they deserve as essential businesses that power farmers and communities to thrive.
“In many regions, farmers’ markets have been vital to keeping existing farms in business, enabling new farms to get started, and creating jobs and opportunity in these communities,” said John Piotti, American Farmland Trust president and CEO. “At AFT, we believe that every farmers’ market in America is special in its own way, helping to connect farmers to customers, customers to healthy food, and the community to the local food system.”
The 15th annual AFMC will run between June 19 and September 18, 2023, on this website. The summer-long event is a fun competition that helps farmers’ markets across the country earn national recognition and local prestige. Markets can join the celebration and encourage their customers to vote, an excellent marketing tool and a pathway to winning a piece of the $15,000 prize pool.
In 2023, AFT increased the total cash prizes to $15,000 and expanded the awards to cover the top five markets nationally (compared to the top three in past years).
The prize money breakdown is as follows: $5,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third, $750 for fourth, $250 for fifth, and $100 to 1st in each state. In addition to the prize money, the top markets also receive national and local press coverage, complimentary American Farmland Trust and Farmers Market Coalition memberships, I Love My Farmers Market stickers, No Farms No Food gear, a free one-year subscription to Farmers Market Metrics, and other surprises!
The AFMC also identifies the top markets in each state and in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Pacific regions.
“Across the country, farmers’ markets are at the heart of their communities,” said Ben Feldman, Executive Director at Farmers Market Coalition. “Through constant innovation and iteration, farmers markets are a driving force for positive chances at the individual, community, and societal level. If you care about farm viability, environmental stewardship, community engagement, or just want to eat the best fruits and vegetables around, farmers’ markets are the place for you. The Farmers Market Coalition is thrilled to continue our partnership with American Farmland Trust to support this celebration of farmers’ markets.”
“Overland Park Farmers Market had the honor of being recognized as the #1 farmers market in the nation in 2022. The recognition elevated our market, on a national level, and contributed to 2021 being the best year our market has had in its 42 years of being open,” said Kristina Stanley, Recreation Supervisor for the Overland Park Farmers Market in Overland Park, KS. “We became a destination that offered unique experiences and a hot spot for people to live, work and play. The Overland Park Farmers’ Market is the focal point and heart of this vibrant and diverse neighborhood where all are welcome. And that is the greatest achievement in receiving this award.”
The AFMC database and interactive map on markets.farmland.org is one of the largest listings of farmers’ markets in the United States, containing more than 7,000 entries. Help us make sure our information is as current as possible. If you see a market listed that is no longer active, please email AFT at marketinfo@farmland.org and ask to have it removed.
