Proclamation List- Virginia Farmers Market Week

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Virginia Farmers Market Week

WHEREAS, there are more than 260 farmers markets in Virginia that provide the public with a convenient, locally produced, competitively priced source for high quality fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, herbs, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, meats, homemade preserves, and more; and

WHEREAS, the economic impacts of farmers markets include direct benefits to farmers and affiliated businesses, while also helping to stimulate the local economy by keeping dollars in the local community, enhancing civic engagement, and preserving farmland through economic viability; and

WHEREAS, farmers markets provide infrastructure to assist in the distribution of farm and value-added products and offer an outlet for new, small-to-medium, veteran agricultural producers and others to market products directly to the public; and

WHEREAS, farmers markets increase access to a healthy food environment with the abundance of locally grown produce that helps support fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, particularly in food deserts across Virginia; and

WHEREAS, over 130 farmers markets in Virginia accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits which allows shoppers to purchase fresh, Virginia-grown products, and utilize the Virginia Fresh Match program which doubles the value of SNAP purchases; and

WHEREAS, farmers markets offer an excellent agritourism experience that provides vendors an opportunity to educate the public on sustainable farming practices and the conservation of land, water, and other natural resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize August 4-10, 2024, as FARMERS MARKET WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations