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USDA NASS survey finds most markets operate on Saturdays from June through September.

September 18, 2020

2 Min Read
IrinaAntonova-Thinkstock

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has surveyed farmer's markets and released a report Aug. 17 on the state of the nation's farmer's markets.

Some highlights from the report:

  1. In 2019, farmer's market managers operated 8,140 farmers markets.

  2. The largest number of markets operated during June through September. 71.9% of markets operated in July and 71.8% operated in August. Nearly a quarter, 21% of markets operated year round.

  3. Saturday was the most common day of operation, at 52.4%.

  4. Fruits and vegetables composed the most common food category sold at 99.6% of markets, followed by condiments and sauce at 94.1% and bread and baked goods at 90.9%.

  5. Cheese is the most common dairy product sold.

  6. The percent of markets that had locally grown labeling totaled nearly 84.7%. Gluten-free and grass-fed had 46.1% and 46%, respectively.

  7. Of the 4,076 markets that accepted Federal Nutrition Programs, 78.7% accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

  8. Of the 4,352 vendors/producers who accepted Federal Nutrition Programs, 66.7% accepted Women, Infants and Children's Farmers Market Nutrition Program, followed closely by Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program at 66.3%.

  9. On an average market day, 916 households shopped across markets in the U.S. and spent $14,547 per farmers market.

  10. Farmer's market managers served as paid employees in 4,321 markets, while in 3,162 they served as volunteers. On average, the paid farmer's market managers earned $18.40 per hour. Managers worked an average of 19.4 hours per week.

  11. There were 31,609 volunteers contributing their time across 5,078 markets.

  12. Markets operated 12.7 hours per week in east south central states and 10.1 hours per week in west south central states.

Read the report here.

Source: USDA NASS, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

 

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