Virginia Farmers Market Week (2009)

Virginia Farmers Market Week

WHEREAS, farmers markets offer shoppers a venue for delicious, local products, including fresh, high quality fruits, vegetables, heirloom produce, herbs, flowers, organic items, cheeses, baked goods, meats, homemade preserves and more; and

WHEREAS, people view farmers markets as a gathering place for the community, a great place to meet and greet neighbors and old friends and an opportunity to interact with the farmers, producers and processors who provide the food they are purchasing; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s farmers markets continue to grow in popularity as residents of the Commonwealth enjoy and benefit from more than 170 farmers markets located across the state; and

WHEREAS, farmers markets support local farmers by providing sales outlets for those just starting out, by giving additional marketing and sales opportunities to experienced farmers, and by offering to both increased financial returns through direct sales to consumers; and

WHEREAS, farmers markets help sustain Virginia’s working farms which in turn help keep the state’s economy strong, provide greenspace, help preserve the high quality of life enjoyed by all Virginians and help maintain agriculture as the Commonwealth’s number one industry; and

WHEREAS, Virginia farmers markets support their communities by providing better access to fresh, delicious foods, enhancing the local economy, attracting tourists and advocating wholesome eating habits;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine do hereby recognize August 2 - 8, 2009 as FARMERS MARKET WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.