Author: Dayna Fentress
Planning Unit: Hardin County CES
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
Plan of Work: Accessing Nutritious Foods and Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
For the past three years, the Family and Consumer Sciences Program has aimed to increase the volume and awareness of the Hardin County Farmers' Market. By offering child and adult programs at the market and taking over their social media advertising, the FCS agent and the Farmers' Market board have worked to increase fruit and vegetable intake of Hardin County residents while also promoting the local food system. The market has seen steady and continued growth for the past two summers, with vendors estimating 20% increases in sales, and estimating double the crowd from previous years. Market vendors say the past three summers have been their best in over 20 years. In addition to the increased customer attendance at each market session, the market was awarded the third best farmers' market in Kentucky by Kentucky Living with their "Best of" awards. This award allows even more recognition, which will in turn increase attendance, increasing local food purchases and fruit and vegetable intake. More than 18,000 customers visited the market during the 2019 season. Over 600 youth visited the children's activities, and over 200 adults participated in adult activities as well. Social media followership and engagement has increased more than 500% from previous years.
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