USDA COMMEMORATES FARMERS' MARKET WEEK AND WORLD FOOD DAY Release No. 0357.97 Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623 tamontree@usda.gov Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623 ltrivers@usda.gov USDA COMMEMORATES FARMERS' MARKET WEEK AND WORLD FOOD DAY WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today commemorated National Farmers Market Week and World Food Day with a special farmers' market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Speaking amidst vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, and dairy products from nearly 20 farmers, Glickman said it was appropriate to celebrate both occasions on the Mall. "In Washington's early years, the Mall was used as a gathering place, a place to graze livestock and an open air market where farmers could sell their crops," he said. "Today we celebrate the continuing contributions of farmers' markets in providing fresh, nutritious food products which are sold directly to urban and rural citizens. Also, on the occasion of World Food Day, we honor the extraordinary efforts of America's farmers and ranchers and producers around the globe in providing the products for the world's dinner tables," Glickman said. Farmers' markets are an important outlet for small to medium-sized farmers. The number of markets has grown substantially during the past few years -- up from 1,755 in 1994, to more than 2,400 today. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service continues to work with communities across the country to develop new farmers' markets, and expand and improve existing ones. In addition, USDA has nearly doubled the budget for WIC Farmers' Markets so that even more nutritionally at risk women, infants, and children will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmers' markets also are popular in Washington, D.C. USDA headquarters hosted 10 markets this season, and facilitated an additional 21 markets at the Departments of Energy, Transportation and Labor. A total of 165 vendors from 7 states participated in these markets this year, up from 84 in 1996. USDA expanded its outreach to include more minority participants and farmers from South Carolina and Delaware. Glickman also announced that USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service is providing $2.5 million in 18 grants to help communities in 16 states become more self-sufficient in providing for their food and nutrition needs. Each grant provides between $10,000 and $200,000 for one to three years to develop community food projects which address local food, farm, and nutrition issues. "These grants are effective because long-term food security depends on strong connections among people in a community," Glickman said. "They will help communities establish the strong people-to-people connections which enable them to provide for their own food and nutrition needs." Communities receiving the grants are: Sells, Ariz.; Salinas, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Griffin, Ga.; Boone, Iowa; DeRidder, La.; Wiscasset, Maine; Detroit, Mich.; St. Paul, Minn.; Missoula, Mont.; Trenton, N.J.; New York City, N.Y. (2); Washburn, Tenn.; Austin, Texas; Houston, Texas; South Burlington, Vt.; and Tacoma, Wash. "This is also the 17th year that World Food Day has been observed around the world," said Glickman. "It is a day for each of us to work in some way to alleviate hunger in the United States and around the world. I encourage everyone to get involved. Gleaning and food recovery efforts are just one way we can help people who are hungry, malnourished, or impoverished." "Food gleaning is becoming an integral part of farmers' markets," said Glickman. "In Washington, D.C., alone, more than 8,000 pounds of food and food products were donated to the D.C. Central Kitchen during the 1997 season from markets held at USDA and other federal departments. Farmers' markets across the country have followed USDA's lead in advancing the Clinton Administration's efforts to expand food recovery activities." # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov