Unlike Most of U.S., Texas Farmers Markets Not Increasing
The number of farmers markets in Texas, like this one in Austin, decreased by two, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Photo by Counse, flickr.com/photos/cbroders.Farmers markets are going through a growth spurt across America, but in Texas, the numbers suggest a decline.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports a 9.6 percent national increase in urban farmers markets. But Texas farmers markets declined by two last year to 164. The Lone Star State didn’t even rank in the top ten when it comes to the number of farmers markets. Texas A&M University economist Marco Palma says fewer farmers markets doesn’t necessarily mean fewer sales.
“We also need to look at the number of farmers that attend every market,” Palma said, “and what happens is that maybe some of the markets that we have in Texas tend to be more year round because of the weather here in the south. We’re able to grow more products year round as opposed to being more seasonal.”
The top ten states with the most farmers markets are:
- California (827 markets)
- New York (647 markets)
- Massachusetts (313 markets)
- Michigan (311 markets)
- Wisconsin (298 markets)
- Illinois (292 markets)
- Ohio (264 markets)
- Pennsylvania (254 markets)
- Virginia and Iowa (tied with 227 markets)
- North Carolina (202 markets)
National Farmers Market Week begins on Sunday.
