Farmers markets are a great way to support local producers, and the Tahlequah Farmers Market is once again taking part in an annual contest run by an organization that aims to celebrate farmers.
The contest, called America’s Farmers Market Celebration, is organized by the American Farmland Trust to highlight the important role farmers markets play in communities, according to the organization’s website.
AFMC will be awarding $15,000 in prizes to the nation’s top farmers markets this summer. Voting begins June 1 and ends July 31. In addition to cash prizes, the top markets will receive coverage in national and local newspapers.
“We’ve been in this competition for three or four years,” TFM Board Chair Marla Sager said, “and in 2022 we were ranked first in Oklahoma, seventh in the Southwest and 53rd in the nation.”
Last year, Norman was ranked first and TFM was ranked third, Sager said.
“the current [June 28]we came in second place [in Oklahoma in the voting]”If you win nationally, you get recognition and you get a cash prize,” Sager said.
Since 2008, the American Farmers Market Celebration has emphasized the important role of markets in local communities. The organization’s motto is “No Farmers, No Food.”
“Between 2001 and 2016, according to American Farm Land Trust research, 11 million acres of farm and ranch land were lost to development across the United States. That means every day, 2,000 acres are paved over, built over or converted to uses that threaten the future of agriculture. AFT provides solutions to protect farmland,” its website states.
Colleen Thornton, co-owner of Heaven Sent Food and Fiber, a TFM distributor, said the market is about more than just selling fresh produce and products.
“Many of our farmers are interested in helping people eat healthy foods,” Thornton says, “and they also sell seedlings so people can grow their own food.”
Thornton said recipes based on ingredients purchased at the market are provided at the TFM tables, and the chain frequently gives away free appliances and cooking equipment.
With food prices rising, many seniors and families struggle to afford fresh produce and products without additives.
One of the programs TFM participates in is “Double-Up Oklahoma,” which provides a subsidy equal to what you pay for fresh produce and products without additives.
Sophia Olsin, an intern at Hunger Free Oklahoma, conducted a survey and collected data at the market on June 29. TFM was giving away a bag of tokens worth $10 to every DUO user who responded to the survey.
“you [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] program [you can] “We tell people to use their SNAP at the market,” Sager said, “to use their SNAP for canned goods, bread, etc., because the Double Up tokens can only be used on fruits and vegetables.”
Olsin is from the Tahlequah area and is studying public health at the University of Arizona. She plans to immerse herself in the field, and this summer internship is helping her become familiar with research.
“The data will be sent to the University of Oklahoma. One of the other interns doing the research work is currently writing his doctoral dissertation on the program,” Allsin said.
According to the Hunger Free Oklahoma website, 14.5% are food insecure, and 67% of SNAP participants are seniors, children or people with disabilities.
“Hunger costs Oklahoma more than $1.4 billion each year through increased illness and reduced academic achievement alone,” the site states.
Food insecurity exacerbates chronic disease, leads to low birth weight and slows development, including language skills. Children who live with food insecurity tend to have lower achievement in reading and math, and have behavioral and social problems, the site said.
“When a child is hungry, they may be distracted by that hunger and not be able to pay attention at school or at home, which can lead to behavioral problems,” Thornton said.
learn more
For more information about the Double-Up Oklahoma program, visit doubleupoklahoma.org. For more information on hunger in Oklahoma, visit hungerfreeok.org/hunger-in-oklahoma.
You can help too
Sager encourages everyone to go to the site and vote for TFM by July 31. To vote, go to www.markets.farmland.org and type “Tahlequah Farmers’ Market” in the search bar. As of print time Friday evening, 83 votes had been received.
