By: centraljersey.com
BORDENTOWN CITY – Bordentown City’s Farmers Market was voted as one of the top 20 Farmers Markets in America in the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest hosted each year by American Farmland Trust.
Bordentown City Farmers Market is open every Wednesday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in the city’s parking lot at the intersection of Farnsworth and Railroad avenues. The online contest held by the American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. The Bordentown market placed in the top five markets in New Jersey and 10 out of 20 in the Boutique Farmers Market category across America.
The results are posted at http://action.farmland.org/site/PageServer? pagename=top_20_americas_favorite_farmers_markets.
"This is a huge accomplishment for the community, the several volunteers, and the city employees to see that our hard work is being rewarded. The community has embraced the market and understand the importance of supporting their local farmer and eating healthy" said Heather Cheesman, deputy mayor of Bordentown City.
By partnering with farmers market managers, American Farmland Trust has encouraged consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers.
"Farmers markets are one of the best ways for consumers to support local farms and farmers," said Julia Freedgood, managing director for AFT’s Growing Local Initiative. "A great way to find seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers markets also support public health and economic development opportunities in our communities."
The 2007 U.S. Agricultural Census reports a 49 percent growth in sales from farms directly to consumers since 2002 – representing $1.2 billion that stayed in local communities. But at the same time, over 800,000 acres of farmland are developed each year – most around cities where there is the greatest demand for local food.
"We need to make the connection: there’s no local food without local farms and farmland," said Ms. Freedgood.
American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with farmers and ranchers.

