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Allie and Joel Schellhammer shop with their 1-year-old daughter, Catherine, for gluten-free cakes at American Gra-Fruitti, one of about 40 vendors at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market in north Atlanta. By Chris Joyner, USA TODAY
By Chris Joyner~USA TODAY
Over the past decade, farmers markets have increased 71%, U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show. In July, the department reported that nearly 4,900 markets operate nationwide, up about 5% from the end of last year.
Factors driving the surge include a growing desire by consumers to know more about food sources, concern over the environment and an increased sense of community, agriculture experts, farmers and customers say.
“It’s perfect for us,” Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan says. “We want to find ways to help people live healthier lifestyles and eat more fruits and vegetables, and increase the economic prosperity for farmers.”
Farmers markets got a high-profile boost this month when first lady Michelle Obama gave a speech at the opening of a market in Washington. Obama has made locally grown produce part of her push to get Americans to eat healthier by planting her own garden at the White House.
Lauren Carey, manager of the Peachtree Road Farmers Market in Atlanta, says it has grown exponentially since it opened in 2007. “We’ve had phenomenal response,” she says.
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