Cookbook: Fresh From the Farmers' Market

Facts About Farmers' Markets

The USDA estimates that more than one million customers visit farmers' markets each week.

On a nice Saturday in summer or fall, New York City's Union Square Greenmarket draws more than 100,000 customers.

In 1977 California had four farmers' markets. Today it has 300.

In 1974, there were fewer than 100 farmers' markets in the nation. Now the USDA lists 2,400 farmers' markets in its most recent (1996) directory—up 40% from the 1994 directory. And USDA official Lon Hatamiya says, "We believe there are many more than that."

The average supermarket carrot travels 2,000 miles from field to table. USDA surveys suggest that most farmers' market produce travels less than 50 miles to market.

More than 20,000 farmers use farmers' markets to sell to consumers.

The USDA farmers' market directory lists farmers' markets in every state but Hawaii and Nevada.

Just a few communities with lively farrners' markets

Albuquerque
Beaverton, Oregon
Boston
Cedar Rapids
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Des Moines
Indianapolis
Ithaca
Lancaster, Pa.
Louisville, Ky.
Madison, Wis.
Minneapolis
New York
Omaha
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Salt Lake City
Santa Fe
Seattle
Spokane
St. Paul
Tucson