Farmer's Market Sees Increased Support

During national farmer's market week, the national farmers market coalition is encouraging shoppers to think local and outside the box.

Farmer's markets are a common sight in the midwest ?

"* and yu may have one you go to regularly.

During national farmer's market week ?

"* the national farmers market coalition is encouraging shoppers to think local and outside the box.

Live kimt news 3's alex jirgens is live at the north iowa farmer's market in mason city.

Alex ?

"* quite a crowd out on this nice weather day?

Xxx amy ?

"* the market here in masn city is packed.

Items for the whole family ?

"* including locally produced food!

The national farmers market coalition is highlighting the important role farmers across the country play in the nation's food system.

I spoke with lisa packer with healthy harvest north iowa ?

"* a familiar face at many farmers markets in this area.

With some of the product shortages many retailers faced earlier this year as the pandemic was ramping up ?

"* she's finding that more consumers are giving fresh and local products a shot.xxx "we saw an outage of toilet paper or when people were buying things that weren't on the shelf, where else could they turn to?

I think that recognizing that there are producers, farmers, vendors within an hour's drive that come every week to provide you with healthy, fresh, local food."

Packer also points that customers are likely coming to markets like the one here because of the safety aspect of it.

Not only are they buying it from the person who grew it from a seed ?

"* but alo very few hands touching it ?

"* and it's outside ?

"* where people can keep in mind social distancing.

Live in mason thank you alex.

The national farmers market coalition considers markets to be essential businesses ?

"* as the pandemic has made it clear that local food systems with short supply chains are resilient ?

"* and dependable in making food available./// the city of rochester is trying to educate