Jim Miller is executive director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, which owns and operates the Valley Junction Farmers Market. Contact him at director@valleyjunction.com.
The farmers market in Historic Valley Junction begins Thursday, May 5, and runs through Sept. 29. Our welcome center office has already been getting inquiries about it from fans and visitors.
Over the past two decades, the way we shop for our food has shifted dramatically, with an ever-increasing emphasis on local, organic and clean food.
According to the USDA, there were approximately 2,863 U.S. farmers markets in the year 2000. Today that number is nearly 8,500 – and growing. Of this total, Iowa has approximately 250 farmers markets, with 40 located in the central Iowa region.
According to Eat Greater Des Moines, within our region (Polk, Dallas, Marion and Warren counties) you can find a farmers market Monday-Saturday. We have over 26 markets taking place on a weekly basis, all selling a variety of locally grown produce, plants and flowers, breads and baked goods, meats, dairy, and value-added products.
It is impossible not to acknowledge the amazing growth and expansion of the local food movement. Events are held from corner to corner of this agricultural state, from a small town square with 10 vendors to larger cities like Valley Junction in West Des Moines and our 80-100 vendors each week. We’ve been operating our market since the mid-1970s and our current format since 1988.
I won't speak for all 8,500 farmers markets in the country, but I will speak for the one in Valley Junction (and I think for a good share of those 8,500). Farmers markets are good for the body, soul, community and economy. Fill your body with Iowan-grown produce, home-baked bread and baked goods, Iowa-raised chops and ice cream from an Iowa dairy operation. Fill your soul with one-of-a-kind creations from Iowa artisans and flowers from Iowa gardens.
These community events are family-friendly, most are pet-friendly, and in the case of Valley Junction, we also offer the best music around with our Music in the Junction concert series and optional adult beverages.
More and more Iowans want fresh local food, and also want a relationship with the grower. The significance of income from farmers markets in the world of food retailing should not be ignored.
According to the Farmers Market Coalition:
Growers selling locally create 13 full-time jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those that do not sell locally create three jobs per $1 million earned.
For every $100 spent at a farmers market, $62 stays in the local economy, and $99 stays in the state.
Nearly $19 million in SNAP benefits (food stamps) was spent at farmers markets in 2014. That's fresh food for lower-income Americans and increased revenue for local farmers. Markets bring fresh food to neighborhoods that need it the most.
Proximity to farmers markets is associated with lower body mass index. Walk or ride your bicycle to your favorite farmers market.
USDA reports that produce prices are lower, on average, than grocery store prices.
Shoppers have more than three times as many social and informational encounters at farmers markets than they do at national chain supermarkets.
In Iowa, every dollar spent at farmers markets led to an additional 58 cents to $1.36 in sales at other nearby businesses. This is perhaps the strongest response to the question, “Does a farmers market really help Valley Junction (or any community)?” Yes!
Here’s my parting shot: Do your civic duty and support the community around you. Supporting your community and supporting your local farmers market is simply the right thing to do. Grab your canvas bag, and I’ll see you soon at the market.