National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) is August 3-9, 2025!
Farmers’ Markets in Montana and across the country are more than simply a place to buy local foods from local farmers; they play many vital roles in our communities. In 2021, a study found that Montana’s farmers’ markets created $17.3 million in revenue and were the reason for an additional $10.4 million in new spending across the state. Farmers markets act as incubators for new businesses, providing farmers and food producers with critical income and marketing outlets, often the boost a small business needs to get brand recognition and grow. They also provide opportunities for community members to gather, strengthen relationships, converse, and celebrate the local food system.
At the beginning of 2025 several Montana farmers markets began implementing the Harvest of the Month (HOM) program. HOM highlights different Montana-grown or raised products every month in schools, businesses, and grocery stores. HOM supports farmers, ranchers, and food businesses by making connections to institutions who can buy their products wholesale while promoting local, nutritious food for all Montanans. These traditional HOM sites are provided with an easy-to-use framework and ready-to-use educational materials that focus on promoting one locally grown item (e.g., carrots). The item-of-the-month is promoted by displaying or distributing HOM materials, doing educational lessons, and product-based activities such as a cooking demo that highlights this product.
Farmers Markets are the perfect venue to transition this program out of the classroom and further nutrition education in Montana. However, instead of highlighting a different product each month, crops will be rotated out weekly! The spotlight will mainly focus on a category called “Specialty Crops.” Specialty Crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, pulses, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). HOM specialty crop products to look out for at farmers markets include potatoes, squash, greens, and herbs, however, there will also be opportunities for vendors selling grains and beef to highlight their products. This program will create familiarity with certain farms, ranches, and food businesses in schools, grocery stores, and farmers markets. It is a wonderful way to encourage customers to purchase and try different Montana-grown foods at farmers markets.
You can find HOM materials and recipes being used at vendor booths or tables at participating farmers markets around the state including: Gallatin Valley Farmers Market, Troy Farmers Market, Cut Bank, Hardin River Valley Farmers Market, Whitefish Farmers Market, Kalispell Farmers Market, and Columbia Falls Farmers Market. Follow the social media accounts for these markets to stay updated on what they have planned.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Harvest of the Month program, visit mtharvestofthemonth.org.
