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Idaho Farmers’ Market Week Proclamation WHEREAS, National Farmers Market Week recognizes the important contributions of farmers and farmers markets across the United States; and WHEREAS, agriculture is Idaho’s leading natural resource-based industry, contributing an estimated $5.6 billion to the State’s economy in one year; and WHEREAS, preserving our State’s farmland, including small-scale farms, is critical to maintaining that productivity and profitability; and WHEREAS, the family farm unit has been described as, “the foundation of agriculture and one of the basic of this nation,” worthy of “preservation and strengthening;” and WHEREAS, farmers markets stimulate the local economy by directly supporting local growers and reinvesting money within the community; and WHEREAS, the number of farmers markets in Idaho has more than doubled in four years, increasing from 24 in 2006 to 56 in operation today; and WHEREAS, the Moscow Farmers Market has been a vibrant part of our community since 1977; and WHEREAS, the Association of Idaho Cities recognized Moscow with a 2010 City Achievement Award for our Shop the Market Program, wherein low-income households use food stamps and Quest Cards to purchase wholesome fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, seeds, and edible plant starts; and WHEREAS, fresh food choices and dietary awareness generally improve health outcomes and reduce the incidence of obesity; and WHEREAS, Moscow Farmers Market facilitates a variety of beneficial services through coordination with vendors, Moscow Arts Commission, the nonprofit organization Backyard Harvest, area food banks, State and Federal agencies, and others; and WHEREAS, the Moscow Food Co-op supports local farmers by hosting the seasonal Tuesday Growers’ Market, featuring local produce, meat, poultry, eggs, ice cream, and more; and WHEREAS, A coalition of area growers, sellers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academic experts, and economic development interests aspire to establish a local facility to collect, store, prepare, market, and distribute regionally-produced agricultural products; and WHEREAS, USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsak observed that “farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems, support family farms, revitalize local communities, provide important outlets for producers and the opportunity for farmers and consumers to interact;” and WHEREAS, the 2010 Idaho Hunger Summit in Boise on October 19 will feature a workshop on developing a statewide farmers’ market association; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nancy Chaney, Mayor of the City of Moscow, do hereby proclaim August 1st through 7th, 2010, to be Farmers’ Market Week in the City of Moscow, and I urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the many benefits of the Moscow Farmers’ Market in cur community and beyond. DATED this 2nd day of August Nancy Chaney, Mayor Copy Copy Copy