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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.5in'><div class=WordSection1><p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN'><img width=700 height=124 id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.usda.gov/img/content/Header-Press-Blue-Web.jpg"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=723 style='width:542.35pt;mso-cellspacing:0in;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in'><tr height=42 style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;height:31.25pt'><td height=42 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:31.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;mso-line-height-alt:9.0pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Sam Jones, AMS (202) 720-2739<o:p></o:p></span></font></p></td></tr><tr height=35 style='mso-yfti-irow:1;height:26.0pt'><td height=35 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:26.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:7.5pt'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>More than 1,000 New Farmers Markets Recorded Across Country<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:7.5pt'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>as USDA Directory Reveals 17 Percent Growth</span></font></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr height=17 style='mso-yfti-irow:2;height:13.0pt'><td height=17 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:13.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:3.75pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p></td></tr><tr height=42 style='mso-yfti-irow:3;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:31.25pt'><td height=42 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:31.25pt'><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2011 – More than 1,000 new farmers markets have been recorded across the country, according to results released today in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's <em><i><font face="Times New Roman">2011 National Farmers Market Directory</font></i></em>.<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font>The annual report indicates a total of 7,175 farmers markets operate throughout the United States as more farmers are marketing their products directly to consumers than ever before. Last year, the USDA reported that 6,132 markets were operating across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>"The remarkable growth in farmers markets is an excellent indicator of the staying power of local and regional foods," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "These outlets provide economic benefits for producers to grow their businesses and also to communities by providing increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other foods. In short, they are a critical ingredient in our nation's food system."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Updated market listings were submitted to USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service by farmers market managers on a voluntary, self-reported basis between April 18 and June 24, 2011, as part of USDA's annual outreach effort. USDA invited market managers to submit desired changes in their market's Directory profile as well as new market listings. Information in the Directory is also continually updated throughout the year in response to incoming requests.<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>The 2011 National Farmers Market Directory </span></b>results were released in advance of<b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> National Farmers Market Week, which takes place from Aug. 7 to 13</span></b> as declared by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The directory reveals that several states have experienced rapid growth in farmers markets since 2010, reflecting a growing interest outside of the Far West and Northeast states, where the popularity of farmers markets is more well-established. Alaska and Texas ranked at the top for most growth in farmers markets at 46 and 38 percent, respectively. <b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>The top-10 list for growth includes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Alaska (35 markets, up 46 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Texas (166 markets, up 38 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Colorado (130 markets, up 38 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>New Mexico (80 markets, up 38 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:150%'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'>Indiana (171markets, up 37 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:150%'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Oklahoma (61 markets, up 32 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>South Dakota (29 markets, up 32 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pennsylvania (266 markets, up 31 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ohio (278 markets, up 31 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Michigan (349 markets, up<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></font>30 percent)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The top-10 states for number of recorded farmers markets in 2011 were spread across the country:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>California (729 markets)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>New York (520)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Michigan (349)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Illinois (305)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ohio (278)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pennsylvania (266)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Massachusetts (255)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Iowa (237)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Wisconsin (231)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>North Carolina (217)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Of the total number of farmers markets reported by market managers, nearly 12 percent indicate they have the capability of accepting SNAP (formerly known as food stamp) benefits onsite. This represents a 16 percent increase in the number of markets accepting SNAP benefits since 2010. While SNAP redemption data are not available for farmers markets specifically, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service recently reported that SNAP redemptions in 2010 totaled $7.5 million at all certified farmers market and direct-to-consumer food retail establishments. Program participants made 453,711 purchases at farmers markets and direct farm marketing outlets nationwide, with an average purchase amount of $16.69.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The USDA National Farmers Market Directory is available at <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjc2OTY3OTEyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov/" target=extWindow title="Link opens in new window">http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov</a>. Since the beginning of 2011 the site has more than 1.8 million page views. Users can search for markets based on location, available products, and types of payment accepted, including participation in Federal nutrition programs. Additionally, new features allow Directory users to locate markets based on proximity to zip code and to see links to active farmers market websites. Customized datasets can also be built for website and application designers.<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p><p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjc2OTY3OTEyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&102&&&http://www.ams.usda.gov/news" target=extWindow title="Link opens in new window">http://www.ams.usda.gov/news</a><font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p><p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>or follow us on <em><i><font face="Times New Roman">Twitter </font></i></em><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTEwODA1LjIzMTI2ODEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjc2OTY3OTEyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9a2FyZW4ubWlsZXNAZGVxLm9rLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&103&&&http://twitter.com/USDA_AMS_NEWS" target=extWindow title="Link opens in new window">@USDA_AMS_NEWS</a>.<font color="#1f497d"><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p></td></tr></table></div><div id="mail_footer"><p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p></div></div></body></html>