North Fulton Today

The Alpharetta Farmers Market is participating in the 16th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a national competition organized by American Farmland Trust. The 2024 competition will distribute $15,000 in total cash awards to the top five markets in the United States: $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third, $750 for fourth, and $250 for fifth. Additionally, sixth-place winners in each state will receive $100. State winners will then compete for national recognition and further cash prizes. These funds are intended to support marketing, communications, and other needs that help expand the market's reach and impact.

Winners are determined by public vote. The Alpharetta Farmers Market is encouraging local residents to vote and help it secure a top position. Voting is open from June 1 to July 31, 2024. Votes can be cast at https://bit.ly/3yVBTgg.

American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization focused on saving farmland, promoting sustainable farming practices, and supporting farmers. For 16 years, it has hosted the Celebration to highlight the critical role farmers markets play in providing communities with fresh, locally grown food and connecting farmers directly with consumers. "In many regions, farmers markets have been vital to keeping existing farms in business, enabling new farms to get started, and creating jobs and opportunity in these communities,” said John Piotti, American Farmland Trust president and CEO. “At AFT, we believe that every farmers market in America is special in its own way, helping to connect farmers to customers, customers to healthy food, and the community to the local food system.”

For more information or to participate in voting, visit markets.farmland.org. The Celebration concludes at 5 p.m. ET on July 31, 2024.