CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Downtown Market is in the running to receive national recognition from American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit dedicated to saving farmland for the next generation.
Shoppers are encouraged to come to the market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Public Square and then endorse the market by stopping by the info booth or by visiting markets.farmland.org/market/clarksville-downtown-farmers-market.
What you put on your fork matters. That’s the message behind American Farmland Trust’s seventh annual Farmers Market Celebration. The celebration calls on shoppers to help identify the best of America’s farmers markets. The summer-long event launched June 20, 2016. The Clarksville Downtown Market is currently ranked #1 in Tennessee.
“The Celebration encourages market customers, family farmers, community activists – anyone who believes they’ve got the best farmers market in the country – to endorse their market in four special areas: Focus on Farmers, Healthy Food for All, Pillar of the Community, and Champion for the Environment,” said Susan Sink, Vice President of Development and External Relations.
Shoppers are encouraged to use Instagram and join the local food community in saving farmland with their forks, as part of AFT’s “#OnMyFork” social media campaign. Supporters are encouraged to post pictures or videos of their farmers market to Instagram using the hashtag #OnMyFork.
“While farmers markets have been growing in popularity, keeping family farmers on farmland remains a nationwide challenge,” Sink says. “Many family farmers are struggling to stay financially afloat and face daily pressure from development to sell their land. Farmers markets provide a wonderful opportunity for family farmers to sell directly to consumers and to help make a living on their land.”
To learn more and participate, visit markets.farmland.org today. The Celebration will run during the summer season and end September 21, 2016.
The Clarksville Downtown Market is a weekly open-air market featuring local farmers and artisans who offer locally-grown fresh produce, food items, and handcrafted products. The Market strives to provide an opportunity for local customers to connect with local businesses, while enhancing quality of life in our community. Enjoy live music, meet our Market mascot, “Corny the Cob,” and experience special events on select market days.