8 farmers markets, 6 U.S. cities

In celebration of National Farmers Market Week (August 1-7, 2010), here are photographs of several farmers markets we have visited across the country.  Here is what the USDA has to say about farmers markets:

Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. Farmers markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers who grows the produce. Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. As of mid-2009, there were 5,274 farmers markets operating throughout the U.S.

Downtown Berkeley

Produce purchased at the Derby Street Berkeley Farmers Market (another)

In Philadelphia (below, too)

Juicy fruit!

City Hall, Boston

Pineapple top, Haymarket, Boston

Heart of the City Farmers Market, Civic Center, San Francisco

Union Square Greenmarket, NYC (below, too)

Winding down -- Temescal (Creek) Farmers Market, Oakland

Where is your farmers market?