To support Iowa farmers market vendors, Iowa Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, has donated 1 million farmers market bags for vendors to give to their patrons.

Iowa ranks fourth in the number of farmers markets in the United States and second in the number of markets per capita. According to research done by Iowa State University, farmers markets in Iowa also contribute an estimated $59.4 million in gross sales to the state economy, generating $17.8 million in payroll and nearly 600 jobs in the state.

Boone County Farm Bureau members Greg and Polly Rinehart, whose family sells produce and ready-to-eat sandwiches at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, appreciate the support they receive from Iowans who shop farmers markets and the bags Iowa Farm Bureau provides.

“Our family, including the grandkids, enjoy the time we spend meeting new people at farmers markets,” said Greg Rinehart. “As farmers, we love answering the questions our customers have about how their food is grown, and we’ve created some great friendships with the people who see us every Saturday during the farmers market season.”