Kentucky has over 160 farmers’ markets across the state. These markets span across 110 of our 120 counties. There are nearly 2,700 vendors who sell at these markets, direct from farm to shopper. These vendors are the backbone of Kentucky’s local food system. There are many reasons to shop at a Kentucky farmers’ market.
- Buying delicious, local, fresh food
- Getting to know the person who grew or produced it
- Knowing how it was grown
- Building relationships with farmers and community members
- Supporting your local economy
- Improving the environment by reducing the miles your food travels to you
- Eating what is in season in your region for highest quality
Not only are farmers’ market vendors selling to make a living, they are selling to provide local food to Kentuckians. Many farmers’ markets across the state participate in food access programs for limited-resource Kentuckians. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Some farmers’ markets around the state double the funds these programs offer through the Kentucky Double Dollars Program. Kentucky Double Dollars is available at 43 farmers’ markets across the state.
To locate a farmers’ market in your area, visit: https://www.planeatmove.com/farmers-markets-food-banks/ or https://bit.ly/kyproudmarkets
To learn more about Kentucky’s farmers’ markets or farmers’ market nutrition assistance programs, please explore the reference websites below.