WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the “Great American Farmers Market” on the National Mall from August 3 to August 8 as part of the America 250 observance. The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins ahead of National Farmers Market Week.
The multi-day event is intended to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary by recognizing agriculture’s historical and ongoing role in the United States. The USDA says the market will provide direct market access for farmers and producers from across all 50 states.
USDA officials note that the department, established during the Civil War by President Abraham Lincoln, has operated a farmers market in Washington, D.C., since 1995. This summer’s market is expected to expand participation beyond the D.C. region to a national scale.
The USDA maintains its headquarters on the National Mall and has described the location of the market as symbolic of agriculture’s place in U.S. history. The event will feature a range of vendors, including farmers, ranchers, bakers, meat processors, dairy producers, and other food-related businesses.
More information, including vendor registration and daily programming, is available at www.usda.gov/gafm. Additional resources on farmers markets nationwide can be found at www.usdalocalfoodportal.com.