May marks the start of the farmers’ market season in Vermont.
Many markets opened the first week of May with others opening throughout the month, offering seedlings for gardens, greens, preserved foods, and last winter’s storage crops.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, or NOFA, says gross sales from Vermont’s farmers’ markets in 2010 totaled nearly $8 million, up from $7 million in 2009.
And more markets are able to accept food stamps. NOFA Vermont says 37 will accept 3 SquaresVT/SNAP benefits this season.
NOFA Vermont says the state has the highest number of farmers’ markets per capita in the country with more than 85.