National Farmers’ Market Week is Aug. 6-12, just in time for peak-season produce like berries, peaches, peppers, sweet corn and tomatoes.While fresh summertime bounty is certainly reason to celebrate, it’s also important to recognize these markets’ significant contributions to their communities.

“The week highlights the positive impact of farmers’ markets across the state and across the country,” said Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Farmers’ Market Association’s executive director. “We take this week each year to celebrate those hardworking farmers, vendors and the farmers’ market managers who truly make markets happen.”

These markets help spur local economies by giving producers opportunities to sell their products directly to the consumer. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. has over 8,700 farmers’ markets, accounting for $514 million in farmers’ direct-to-consumer sales in 2020.

“Farmers’ markets are a good place for beginning farmers to access the market wi...