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As farmer's markets on the rise, NYS and CA leading the way

By GARY LIBERATORE

Story Created: Aug 3, 2012 at 5:01 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2012 at 5:40 PM EDT

ILION, N.Y. (WKTV) - U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say that farmer's markets are a "critical ingredient" to our nation's food system and a new study shows the number of farmer's markets across the United States is up nearly ten percent since last year.

New York State is only behind the state of California with the highest number of markets.

On Friday, many were scouring for local produce at the Ilion Farmer's Market at Clapsaddle Farm on Otsego Street. Shoppers weren't surprised by the study's results.

"I'm not surprised to hear farmer's markets are up ten percent because there was one that started in our city last year, and the adjacent town the previous year," said Clare Hurley, of Woburn, Massachussetts who was shopping the market in Ilion. "We're seeing them popping up in the Boston area. That's where we're from."

New York State has 647 farmer's markets.

The Ilion Farmer's Market is open every Friday from Noon to 6 p.m. and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 52 weeks a year.

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