GLICKMAN TO KICK OFF 1997 FARMERS' MARKET SEASON

						Release No. 0201.97
                                                                 
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                 Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998
                                            runkenholz@usda.gov
Media Advisory

GLICKMAN TO KICK OFF 1997 FARMERS' MARKET SEASON

     WASHINGTON, June 23, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman will
ring the opening bell to kick-off an expanded season of USDA-sponsored
farmers' markets on Friday, June 27.

     Glickman will be joined by Energy Secretary Federico Pena,
Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes
Norton as the market opens for business Friday June 27 at 10:00 a.m.

     The USDA market will be held in the parking lot at 12th and
Independence, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.   Farmers will sell farm fresh
vegetables, fruit, cheese, herbs, trout, baked goods and more.  USDA will
host farmers' markets every other Friday through October and a special "pre-Thanksgiving" market in November.  

     Beginning July 18, the U.S. Department of Energy will host markets on
alternate Fridays at the Forrestal Building at 1000 Independence Ave, S.W.,
south parking lot off of  L'Enfant Promenade, (10th street). The Department
of Transportation will also host markets later this summer.
     
     Producers from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina will participate in the June 27
market.  Half of the participating farmers will be minorities, building on
USDA's commitment to help small and minority producers attract new sources
of income.

     Continuing the tradition of gleaning established at last year's
farmers' markets, un-sold goods will be donated at the end of the market to
the D.C. Central Kitchen.

     The public and the media are welcome.

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