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WHEREAS, farmers markets are invaluable resources for citizens of the United States in that they provide healthy, fresh, and affordable produce to consumers and allow farms to sell produce locally; and,
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture named the week of August 2nd through the 8th National Farmers Market Week due to the numerous contributions of farmers markets nationally; and,
WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania there are over 1,200 farmers markets that accepted more than $4.5 million in Women, Infant and Children, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers in 2009, making fresh food available to thousands of low-income residents and families, highlighting market importance in urban areas; and,
WHEREAS, The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is a permanent, indoor farmers market located in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and was founded on July 5th 1941, surviving for nearly 70 years through much adversity; and,
WHEREAS, farmers own and operate The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty which allows the farmers to work together which helps make their farming enterprises more viable in the long term, and also helps the farmers and consumers in the community address the structural deficits in the current food distribution system; and
WHEREAS, The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is the only year-round market operation in the City of Pittsburgh, and is one of the only available sources of local meat and produce during the winter months.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby extol The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty for supporting local farmers in Western Pennsylvania, and equitable access to high quality, affordable, and fresh foods for sale and consumption to residents of East Liberty and surrounding neighborhoods.