Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. Farmers markets, now an integral part in the urban/farm linkage, have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. In mid-2008, the farmers market directory listed 4,685 farmers markets operating in the United States, representing an 6.8 percent increase from 4,385 farmers markets in 2006. This growth clearly indicates that farmers markets are meeting the needs of a growing number of farmers with small- to medium-size operations.

For more farmers market and other direct marketing information, call the Farmers Market Hotline at 1-800-384-8704.