Missouri Farmers' Market Week Media Event

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is inviting Missouri in celebrating August 5-11 as “Missouri Farmers' Market Week.” The week is geared to promote the more than 125 markets across the state.

The MDA will host a Missouri Farmers’ Market Media Event on Saturday, August 4 at the Soulard Farmers’ Market in St. Louis to bring public awareness of Missouri’s markets.

An opening address by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, followed by a reading of the proclamation and address by Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will take place at 11:30 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Historic Entrance of the Soulard Farmers’ Market (front entrance of Soulard Market Park Plaza at the Columns on the corner of 8th and Lafayette Streets).

Governor Matt Blunt has issued a proclamation officially proclaiming the week “to further the expansion and awareness of farmers' markets and the contributions farmers make to daily life in Missouri.”

Farmers’ Markets are an essential part of Missouri’s agricultural economy, providing an outlet for Missouri farmers to sell their produce to consumers across the state. Farmers’ markets also help to promote nutrition education, wholesome eating habits, and better food preparation, as well as boosting the community’s economy.

The MDA supports and promotes the development, operation and expansion of farmers’ markets and other direct-to-consumer marketing activities for our nation’s farmers and agricultural producers.

Farmers' markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables as well as many other home-grown Missouri products such as jams, jellies, sauces, salsas, crafts, beef and pork products, organic and heirloom produce and nursery plants.

The Soulard Farmers’ Market is the oldest existing farmers’ market in Missouri, dating back to 1779.

Directions to the Soulard Market: From Interstates 55 or 44, take the Seventh Street/Park avenue exit and follow the signs.

From interstate 70, follow the signs to Interstates 44/55 after the downtown exit and take the Seventh Street/Park Avenue exit.

From Highway 40, take the Broadway exit, marked "Last Exit in Missouri" and follow the signs to Seventh Street. Turn left on Seventh Street and proceed for one mile.

See Map of Soulard Farmers’ Market.