TWFM Earns First Place in National Award
For Immediate Release
Contact: Duncan Crary (518) 274-2723
DCC@DuncanCrary.com
TROY NY FARMERS MARKET EARNS 1st PLACE IN NATIONAL “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” CELEBRATION BY AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST
Acclaim Arrives As 100+ Vendor Saturday Market Celebrates 20th Fall Season, Launches Wed. Market, Preps for Indoor Winter Market
TROY, N.Y. (09/24/19) — American Farmland Trust announced today that Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is the national winner of the 2019 People’s Choice award. The recognition marks the end of the Trust’s 11th annual Farmers Market Celebration, a summer-long effort to promote the importance of local food and the farmers behind it.
“Troy, New York is a small American city with a great big heart and a whole lot of pride,” said Zack Metzger, president of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market which is now in its 20th season. “This celebration gave our customers the opportunity to think about why family farmers matter. Clearly, they are proud of this market and what we have achieved in our 20 years. And we are grateful for their support.”
(Photo of Troy Waterfront Farmers Market Courtesy of Tommy Stephens Photography)
Starting on June 27, Americans across the country were invited by the Trust to endorse their favorite local farmers market by casting a vote through the Trust’s website, by creating social media posts using the #OnMyFork hashtag, or by taking the time to submit a personal essay on why their farmers market is important to their local food system.
The Trust recognizes the highest endorsed market in each of five regions, and additionally recognizes the market that received the highest overall community endorsement out of any region. Troy Waterfront Farmers Market was the No. 1. most endorsed market in New York State, the No. 1 most endorsed market in the Northeast Region, and the overall most endorsed market in the entire United States.
The top vote earning markets in other regions were: Kaka‘ako Farmers’ Market of Honolulu, Hawaii for the Pacific Region; City of Dripping Springs Farmers Market of Dripping Springs, Texas for the Southwest Region; Flint Farmers Market of Flint, Mich. for the Midwest Region; and Charlottesville City Market of Charlottesville, Va. for the Southeast Region.
“The Farmers Market Celebration was designed to highlight the importance of our food choices and supporting farmers across the country. The markets that participated embody that wholeheartedly,” said Alex Johnson, AFT’s membership coordinator in an American Farmland Trust statement issued this morning. “This year there were thousands of registered markets and so many communities wanted to showcase what made theirs special.”
The celebration is a national effort to promote the importance of local food and the role that agriculture plays in our communities while also raising awareness about the challenges facing America’s farmland and farmers.
TROY MARKET EXPANDING ON 20 YEARS
Debuting New Wednesday Market
Now in its 20th season, The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is held every Saturday year-round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features more than 100 farmers and fresh food vendors.
From May through October, the market is held outside on River Street and around Monument Square in Downtown Troy, N.Y. The market moves inside the Troy Atrium from November through April. The majority of the 100 vendors move inside.
New this year, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market added a Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. market, featuring about 15 farmers and fresh food vendors, located on Broadway between 3rd and 4th streets or inside the Troy Atrium in poor weather.
“Twenty years ago, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market started with about two dozen vendors in a parking lot,” said Zack Metzger, president of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. “This fall, we have more than 100 farmers and fresh food vendors throughout four city blocks in Troy’s beautiful downtown business district. It’s amazing to think about how much this market has grown along with this community to become a premiere regional attraction.”
Today, the Troy Waterfront Farmers market routinely receives “Best of” accolades by regional media and in reader polls.
2019 OUTDOOR MARKET MAPS
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market prints brochure-sized maps to help visitors locate its 100+ street vendors as well as the brick-and-mortar shops that line the market area. The map also indicates the location of parking lots & garages, restrooms, ATM, and special activity areas.
These color maps are brochure size when folded and 11” x 17” when fully open. They are available at the Market Information table (on River Street in Monument Square) every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To view a digital copy of the map brochure, as well as an interactive Google Map version that anyone explore on their desktop, laptop, smart phone or mobile device, visit: https://www.troymarket.org/map
ABOUT THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST
American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families.
For the American Farmland Trust’s press release (and Media Contact Person info) about the winning top regional farmers markets, visit: https://farmland.org/american-farmland-trust-announces-winners-of-the-farmers-market-celebration/
CONTACT:
Duncan Crary (518) 274-2723 DCC@DuncanCrary.com
