YPSILANTI, Mich., – Washtenaw County Farmers Markets is celebrating the 20th annual National Farmers Market Week (August 4 – 10, 2019) with the new Washtenaw County Farmers Markets passport. With the passport, residents can win prizes by exploring farmers markets in Washtenaw County.
“We are lucky to have such a robust local food system here in Washtenaw County, but people often aren’t aware of all the opportunities available for them to buy fresh, local, and delicious food,” said Tedi Milgrom, Health Educator at Washtenaw County Health Department and coordinator of the Washtenaw County Farmers Markets initiative. “The goal is to encourage people to visit new markets, meet new farmers and vendors, and explore parts of the county they do not regularly seek out.”
The passport runs August 1 to August 31. Passports are available at the information booth or office of all 13 Washtenaw County farmers markets. Hours, days, and address of each market are available on the passport and at www.washtenawmarkets.org.
Participants are encouraged to get passports stamped at each market they visit then return their stamped passports to any participating market by September 2. Participants can also enter the drawings by posting a picture of the stamped passport to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #washtenawmarketspassport. There will be drawings for prizes the first week in September. Prizes include packages with gift certificates and market swag.
Participating farmers markets include: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Cobblestone, Dexter, Dixboro, Manchester, Milan, Pittsfield Township, Saline, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, Webster, Westside, and Ypsilanti.
To increase access to fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables, ten of the Washtenaw County farmers markets accept at least one form of food assistance such as SNAP/Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks, Prescription for Health, WIC Project FRESH, and Senior Project FRESH. The Ride also provides residents with easy travel options to 6 of the farmers markets. Find more on transportation and food access programs at each market at www.washtenawmarkets.org.
Local food fans are encouraged to help share their journey by using the hashtags #washtenawmarkets #washtenawmarketspassport and following @washtenawmarkets on Instagram and Facebook.
National Farmers Market Week is a celebration started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. The campaign runs throughout the first full week of August each year and is formally declared by a USDA proclamation.
