Padilla, Ernst, Valadao, Pingree Announce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution to Recognize National Farmers Market Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the adoption of a bipartisan resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week from August 3 through August 9, 2025. The resolution recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together, supporting livelihoods, and enriching the lives of millions of Americans, from farmers and food producers to consumers. Representatives David Valadao (R-Calif.-22) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.
Farmers markets build community, bolster local agricultural economies, and improve public health and wellness, including for low-income Americans who receive federal nutrition benefits. They also help bridge urban and rural communities, contributing to a better public understanding of farming and ranching. Farmers markets have grown exponentially across the country over the past few decades, rising from 1,755 markets in 1994 to approximately 8,600 in 2023. In 2020, they accounted for $1.7 billion in income for American farmers. California has the most farmers markets in the country, with over 700 certified markets.
“We should all take time to celebrate National Farmers Market Week and support our local farmers, who feed our families and bring us together every week at farmers market stalls,” said Senator Padilla. “Our farmers markets nourish our neighborhoods, strengthen our local economies, and bring consumers closer to the farmers who feed them. California and our more than 700 farmers markets will continue to cherish these spaces as a source of nutrition and community.”
“Iowans take a lot of pride in agriculture, and our farmers markets make access to farm fresh and locally sourced food even easier,” said Senator Ernst. “This year, I’m proud to once again lead the bipartisan resolution to designate August third through ninth as National Farmers Market Week, which is especially meaningful with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ Great American Farmers Market event happening on the National Mall. It’s great to see the Trump administration honor the heart of our nation: agriculture.”
“The Central Valley grows a quarter of our nation’s food on less than one percent of our countries farmland, but too often, people in urban areas don’t realize the effort it takes to get food from field to table,” said Representative Valadao. “Farmers markets are a great way to bridge that gap by giving producers a chance to sell directly to consumers, providing families with access to fresh, locally grown food, and helping educate people about the importance of American agriculture. I’m proud to recognize National Farmers Market Week and celebrate the many contributions of CA-22’s farmers and vendors.”
“As a longtime farmer, I cherish farmers market days—whether I’m buying delicious Maine-grown wild blueberries and veggies, or catching up with members of our hardworking agricultural community. But farmers markets are much more than a fun family outing. They support hundreds of Maine farmers and small businesses, boost our local economies, and play a vital role in our nation’s food system—helping people of all incomes access healthy, locally-grown food,” said Representative Pingree. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to honor and recognize the importance of farmers markets, and will continue working with my colleagues in the House—on both sides of the aisle—to pass legislation that supports and empowers our nation’s farmers.”
“National Farmers Market Week is a joyful reminder of the vital role farmers markets play in our communities. As we celebrate 26 years of National Farmers Market Week, we invite everyone to support their local markets year-round,” said Willa Sheikh, Interim Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “These markets are not just places to shop—they are essential infrastructure for healthy communities and resilient local economies. We thank every House and Senate cosponsor for championing farmers markets and urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that supports markets and the farmers who depend on them.”
Farm groups across the United States have celebrated National Farmers Market Week for over 25 years, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially recognized National Farmers Market Week since 2021.
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Nikki Budzinksi (D-Ill.-13), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.-03), Donald Davis (D-N.C.-01), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.-14) cosponsored the resolution in the House of Representatives.
In 2023, Senators Padilla and Ernst announced the first-ever congressional resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, which was adopted unanimously by the Senate. Last week, the Senate adopted Senator Padilla and Sullivan’s (R-Alaska) resolution to designate July 2025 as “American Grown Flower and Foliage Month,” recognizing the economic impact and cultural contributions of domestic flower and foliage farmers across the United States.
Full text of the National Farmers Market Week resolution is available here.
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