DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today thanked Iowa farmers and customers for making 2011 another successful year for Iowa farmers markets. Iowa’s farmers market managers reported another strong year of sales and attendance at Iowa’s 237 markets across the state.
“Farmers markets are a key access point for Iowans looking to get fresh fruits and vegetables grown right here in Iowa and it is great that we have continued to see growth in markets located across the state,” Northey said. “It is exciting to see the continued success of these markets and I want to thank the farmers and customers for their support throughout the farmers market season.”
Iowa’s farmers markets have seen strong growth in recent years, and that trend appears to be continuing. In an Iowa farmers market survey completed for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship last year showed that market sales have increased an average of 18 percent per year from 2004 to 2009. It also showed that Iowa markets had $38.4 million in direct sales in 2009 and a $71 million impact on Iowa’s economy.
Most of Iowa was spared from any late spring freezes which got the growing season off to an early start. Heavy rains slowed fruit and vegetable development and delayed a number of crops including strawberries and sweet corn.
After a slow start, sweet corn sales picked up quickly and remained vigorous throughout an extended season from July through October.
An exceptionally mild fall kept both customer attendance and vendor offerings at high levels all the way through the end of October. Peaches and apples were both reported as excellent crops this year and after a meager crop last year, pumpkins were large and plentiful in 2011.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program also continues to serve low-income seniors, women and children in Iowa with vouchers so they can also take advantage of the nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables found at Iowa markets. This year vouchers were provided to more than 51,000 Iowans so they could enjoy the farmers market experience.
