Today USDA opened the annual updating of the National Farmers Market Directory. The Directory captures information about where and when farmers markets operate, if they participate in federal nutrition benefit programs, and detailed information about their seasonality and location. It is a great tool for markets to make sure people in their community can find them; in addition to helping people find the closest farmers market, they are included in maps, mobile apps and other stats. The Directory is available online at apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets, has been featured on CNN and FourSquare, and is used by www.RealTimeFarms.com and other organizations mapping and analyzing the farmers market sector.
Farmers market managers can update their market listings at www.usdadirectoryupdate.com.
The data will be updated periodically over the summer, and markets that submit their information by May 1 will see it updated in the Directory by June 1, in time for the busy summer season. So use the Share button below to help us get out the word and next time you visit your local farmers market, don’t forget to ask them if they have updated their listing in the Directory yet.
