WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first full week in August is again being recognized as National Farmers’ Market Week.

“I encourage the people of the United States to celebrate the benefits of farmers’ markets and the bountiful production of our nation’s farmers with appropriate observances and activities,” stated Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, in a July 3 declaration.

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will release its official count of farmers’ markets next week. The updated number could exceed 8,000 nationwide, major growth from the agency’s first count of 1,755 markets in 1994.

Many markets, including those in Washington D.C., will offer special activities for customers to highlight Farmers’ Market Week. Special activities, such as cooking demonstrations and entertainment, have helped fuel the renaissance of interest in farmers’ markets in the past 20 years.

“Farmers’ markets have become more of a destination, as opposed to just a place to buy groceries,” said Nikki Royer. She and her husband, Scott, sell meat raised on their Clinton farm at three Indiana markets: Broad Ripple Farmers’ Market and Fishers Farmers’ Market in Indianapolis, and the Terre Haute Farmers’ Market.

“There is (now) entertainment, ready-to-eat food and social media connections at farmers’ markets,” she added.

Farmers’ markets have also gained prominence as U.S. consumers demand more locally produced food items. Vendors like the Royers have found markets to help introduce their products.

“Markets are a good way for customers to try products and meet farmers before buying bulk,” said Royer. Royer Farm Fresh sells beef, pork, lamb and chicken, and the farm has seen growth from customers who begin buying cuts at farmers’ markets, then order meat in bulk quantities for their freezers.

Earlier this year, the USDA announced it was responding to newer farmers’ market customer habits by opening more access to market data collected by the agency. Mobile application developers may access that data at http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/v1/svcdesc.html

The agency’s farmers’ market directory is available at http://search.ams.usda. gov/farmersmarkets