The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) issued a press release saying that it and Common Greens, a nonprofit that supports small Ohio farms and food businesses, are celebrating National Farmers Market Week (August 6-12) at the Clintonville Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 12. Ohio State Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) will attend, as will regional staff for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the release said.
"This is a wonderful time to celebrate farm bounty being made available at farmers' markets across the country,” said OEFFA Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu. “Members of Congress are starting to formulate the 2023 Farm Bill, which expires at the end of September, and Ohio’s Senator Sherrod Brown continues to lead our federal government in supporting local and regional food systems."
“Common Greens is thrilled to have Senator Brown’s regional staff and State Senator Bill DeMora visit the Clintonville Farmers Market,” said Common Greens Executive Director Marcie Todd in the press release. “Federal and state investment in farmers markets is key to expanding opportunities for small farmers and food producers, broadening access to local food across our community, and helping our local economy thrive.”
National Farmers Market Week is a federal observance proclaimed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack.
Brown recently introduced the Local Farms and Food Act, the OEFFA release said. The bill would "reduce applicant barriers for some local food programs, increase investments in critical infrastructure, and sustain impactful nutrition incentives," a page on the OEFFA website says.
The Local Farms and Food Act is one of several so-called "marker bills," each focused on a single set of proposals, that the OEFFA hopes to see included in the omnibus federal farm bill, which Congress passes every five years to support American farms. The farm bill is up for reauthorization this year.
● What: A celebration of National Farmers Market Week at the Clintonville Farmers Market
● When: Saturday, August 12 from 10-11 a.m.
● Where: N High Street and W Dunedin Road, 43214
● Who: Media are encouraged to attend.
