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New Survey shows Iowa Farmers Markets Contribute $71 million to State's economy

Posted: Thu, Apr 29, 2010 5:37 PM

A new report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture says the 223 farmers markets across Iowa had an estimated $71.6 million impact on the state's economy in 2009.  The report says approximately 99,000 customers and 1,500 vendors attended at least one farmers market in 2009.  The average customer returned for approximately 11 market visits per season.  The report says 374 direct jobs and over 200 indirect jobs could be attributed to the activities of farmers markets.

"In the five years since the last comprehensive survey we have seen a 92 percent increase in sales at the farmers markets located across the state," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. "Farmers markets are a great opportunity to access fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods and it looks like Iowans are taking full advantage of that opportunity."

Iowa is a national leader in the number of farmers markets. In 2009 Iowa had 223 farmers markets in operation--the fourth most in number nationally and the second highest per person.

The findings come from the 2009 Farmers Market Economic Impact Survey that was conducted by a cooperative agreement between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service Iowa Field Office.