Farm Credit East Awards $100,000 to Northeast Farmers’ Markets

In conjunction with National Farmers’ Market Week, Farm Credit East is announcing its recent awarding of $100,000 in small grants to 186 farmers’ markets and farmers’ market organizations across the Northeast. Farm Credit East recognizes that farmers’ markets are an important channel for many of the region’s producers to distribute farm fresh produce to both rural and urban consumers. Collectively, the farmers’ markets receiving grant funds support more than 2,000 producers.

The recipient farmers’ markets will use grant funds to support marketing efforts, complete market enhancements or to support participating farmers. Additionally, many markets will use funds to improve access to fresh, local food for those in underserved communities and supplement funds from programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

To celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week, taking place August 4-10, Farm Credit East encourages everyone to show their support of agricultural businesses by buying produce from local farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

For a list of resources to find locations in your area, visit Farm Credit East’s Farm Fresh Guide at FarmCreditEast.com/FarmFreshGuide. The guide covers Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Farm Credit East is a member owned cooperative with 24 locations in its eight-state service area. In addition to loans and leases, the organization also offers a full range of specialized financial services, such as tax preparation, payroll, record keeping, appraisal and consulting for farming, forest products and commercial fishing businesses. Farm Credit East is governed by a 16-person board of directors, comprised of 13 customer-elected, one customer appointed and two outside appointed directors. For more information, visit FarmCreditEast.com.