CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt released the following statement leading up National Farmers’ Market Week, August 1-7:

“Local farmers’ markets and the producers who support them are vital to our state’s economy, as well as food security. When we saw bottle necks in the national food system, it was West Virginia farmers who stepped up to feed our citizens. The pandemic proved how important local agriculture is to our communities, so this week get out and support those markets and their farmers.”

During Commissioner Leonhardt’s administration, the WVDA has worked with the Legislature to reduce burdens and barriers on farmers’ markets. Since the WVDA, took over the full regulation of markets, the number of markets has increased by 50 percent. According to the WVDA, there are 155 markets registered in West Virginia.

“As we continue to find ways to get the government out of the way of our farmers, we need to heighten the awareness for local food. No amount of reduction in regulations will help if we cannot increase consumer demand. That is what National Farmers’ Market week is all about, supporting the local farmer.”

The first National Farmers’ Market week was established in 1999 by the United States Department of Agriculture. The week is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of the local farmers and agriculture businesses in making the Farmers’ Markets an integral part of the communities in which they are located.

For a list of West Virginia farmers’ markets, click here: https://agriculture.wv.gov/farmers-market-search/.