HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.05.15_Sustainability_Office_Celebrates_National_Farmers_Market_WeekCITY OF SOUTH BEND
PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR
Office of the Mayor
CONTACT:
Kara Kelly, (574) 235 -5853
kkelly @southbendin.gov
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, August 5, 2015
CITY'S SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE CELEBRATES NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK
The City of South Bend Office of Sustainability will present a proclamation from Mayor Pete
Buttigieg to the South Bend Farmer's Market and the Urban Garden Farmers Market at l Oam on
Thursday, August 6, at the South Bend Farmer's Market, 1105 Northside Blvd., in recognition of
National Farmers Market Week.
The 16th annual National Farmers Market Week kicked off Sunday and runs through August 8.
It's a week celebrating the contributions local farm families make to the economy, their
communities, and the many ways they improve access to fresh, healthy, locally -grown food.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says Farmers Markets play a key role in developing
local and regional food systems that support farmers. Demand for local food continues to grow.
According to Packaged Facts and USDA's Economic Research Service, local food sales by
farmers grew to as much as $11.7 billion in 2014, up from about $6.1 billion in 2012.
"South Bend's Farmers Markets support small businesses and local farmers, provide residents
with affordable and convenient foods, and serve as community gathering spots," says Office of
Sustainability Director Therese Dorau. "Both markets also accept SNAP benefits which helps
low- income residents purchase healthy food."
SOUTH BEND FARMER'S MARKET
The South Bend Farmer's Market has been at its current location, 1105 Northside Blvd., since
1924. Vendors come from a 60 -mile radius of South Bend and sell local produce, butchered
meats and poultry, cheeses, baked goods, and a variety of handmade goods. It's open from 7am-
6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7am -2pm Fridays, and 7am -3pm Saturdays.
URBAN GARDEN FARMERS MARKET
The Urban Garden Farmers Market, 2721 Kenwood Ave., across from the Amtrak station at
Orange and Meade Streets, sells produce from backyard gardeners and small farmers in an open -
air environment on Wednesdays from 3 -6pm and Saturdays from loam -2pm June to October.