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Bedford Farmers Market celebrates National Farmers Market Week

BEDFORD – The Bedford Farmers’ Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 6-12. As demand for local food continues to grow, so too have the opportunities for America’s farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), farmers markets and farm stands account for roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that Americans spend annually on farm-direct products . This revenue, in turn, supports the livelihoods of more than 165,000 mostly small and mid-sized farms and ranches.

The Bedford Farmers Market has grown tremendously since its first season, and currently hosts from 7 to 10 farmers each week, all selling a wide variety of products. Some of the products include blueberries, peaches, apples, herbs, beets, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, root vegetables, microgreens and more. In the most recent season, the Bedford Farmers Market is visited by an average of 400-600 shoppers each market and also has locally-made baked goods, jams and jellies, ice cream, prepared food and soap as well as local meat, eggs, honey and maple syrup totalling 30 vendors to choose from.

Karen Steuer, the President of the Steering committee for the Bedford Farmers Market stated, “There is such a rich agricultural tradition in New Hampshire, and it is up to us to nurture it and continue to make it relevant in today’s fast-food society. We celebrate the dirt in our fingernails and tasty morsels on our tongues, as well as the deep bonds we have developed with our growers. I feel such a connection when making meals with items I pick up at the market – and the purpose of the Bedford Farmers Market is to make that connection stronger for all of us.”

The Bedford Farmers Market runs every Tuesday through Oct. 3 from 3-6 p.m. in the parking lot of St. Elizabeth Seton Church. The church is located at 190 Meetinghouse Road. For more information on this weekly family event, go to facebook.com/Bedfordfarmersmarketnh.