AFT announces winners of the 17th Annual America’s Farmers Market

American Farmland Trust has announced the winners of the 17th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a national event honoring the role of farmers markets, which ran between August 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025. Ten markets receiving the most public votes are declared the national winners.

A total of 1,263 markets nationwide participated in the 2025 celebration with over 60,000 votes. In 2025, AFT staffed 26 markets nationwide in a series of pop-up events meant to help markets reach supporters and raise awareness of the critical importance of farmers markets.

“Farmers markets are the heartbeat of local food systems across America, connecting people directly with the farmers who feed them,” said John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust. “This year’s celebration once again demonstrates the incredible community support these markets receive, and we’re thrilled to see how the recognition helps them grow through new partnerships and increased visibility. Congratulations to all our winners—you’re building stronger, more resilient communities.”

Since 2008, the celebration has highlighted the key role farmers markets play in American communities and our larger food system. Farmers markets are on the leading edge of educating consumers about where food comes from and reinforce AFT’s message of No Farms No Food. They foster direct relationships between community members and farmers to help create a more fair, sustainable, and just food system. Participating in the celebration is a way for people to come together and support their communities and local food producers.

National winners

AFT offers a total of $15,000 in rewards towards marketing, communications, and other needs that help expand the market’s reach and impact. National winners are awarded $2,500 for first, $2,000 for second, $1,500 for third, $1,250 for fourth, $1,000 for fifth through eighth, and $875 for ninth and tenth place. There is also a ‘Community Champion’ award for a market that achieved a multi-year top vote, earning both merchandise and a digital award. In addition, the top markets also receive national and local press coverage, complementary AFT No Farms No Food® gear, and other prizes.

FIRST: Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market, Sarasota, Florida: Awarded $2,500

“We are beyond honored that The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has been named the #1 Farmers’ Market in America. This recognition is a true reflection of the dedication of our incredible market family – our hardworking team, the 100+ talented vendors who pour their passion into every Sunday, and the thousands of attendees who show up week after week to support our local businesses. Held at Waterside Place, our Market has grown into more than just a place to shop; it’s a gathering place, a weekly tradition, and a true community hub. Every success is one we celebrate together, and this award celebrates the spirit of Lakewood Ranch, the energy of our Market, and the way our community comes together to make every Sunday something truly special.”

Nicole Hackel, Events and Resident Experience Manager, Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market

SECOND: Coventry Farmers Market, Coventry, Connecticut: – Awarded $2,000

“We are deeply honored to be recognized as the #1 Farmers Market in Connecticut, #1 in the Northeast, and #2 Nationally in the America’s Farmers Market Celebration. This recognition is a powerful reflection of the incredible community that surrounds and supports us—from our devoted vendors and volunteers to the thousands of visitors who make our market a Sunday tradition. At Coventry Farmers’ Market, a CT grown and CT produced only market in our 21st season, we believe in the power of local agriculture, connection, and celebration, and every Sunday we come together to showcase the best of Connecticut’s farms, artisans, and community spirit. To be recognized on a national level is both humbling and energizing. It reflects the care, dedication, and joy that go into every market day—and the magic that happens when people come together to support something real and rooted. We’re honored to carry this distinction for Connecticut and the Northeast, and we celebrate it with deep gratitude. This incredible honor is a testament to the vibrant community that makes our market more than just a place to shop—it’s a weekly celebration of local life. We remain committed to uplifting local agriculture, fostering connection, and creating a space where community thrives.”

Melissa Tremblay, Market Manager, Coventry Farmers Market

THIRD: The Charlottesville City Market, Charlottesville, Virginia: Awarded $1,500

FOURTH: Midtown Farmers’ Market, Sacramento, California: Awarded $1,250

“We’re incredibly grateful that our community has once again recognized the Midtown Farmers Market, ranking us #1 in California #3 in the nation for a second year in a row, as well as helping us achieve #1 in the Southwest region for the first time,” said Emily Baime Michaels, Executive Director of the Midtown Farmers Market. “This accolade highlights the hard work and passion of our team, whose efforts make each Saturday at the market extraordinary. Our market continues to evolve, creating a one-of-a-kind experience shaped by the amazing farmers, talented creatives, culinary artists, and innovative vendors who share their offerings with a community eager to explore, taste, and celebrate the best of Midtown Sacramento.”

Emily Baime Michaels, Executive Director of Midtown Association (Managing Organization of Midtown Farmers’ Market)

FIFTH: The Woodbury Farmers Market, Woodbury, New Jersey: Awarded $1,000

“We are thrilled to have been voted the #1 farmers’ market in NJ and the #5 in the nation. We are small but mighty and will look forward to growing each year. We have just finished our 2nd season.

Winning #1 Farmers Market in New Jersey and #5 in the nation means everything to our community. This recognition celebrates not only our vendors but also the farmers who cultivate the land, the families who gather every week, and the local economy that grows stronger with every transaction.”

Nicole Nocito, Director, The Woodbury Farmers Market

SIXTH: The Panama City Farmers’ Market, Panama City, Florida: Awarded $1,000

“Winning this recognition is a tremendous honor for Panama City and a true reflection of our resilient community. Farmers markets are more than just a place to shop, they are places where relationships are built, knowledge is shared, and healthier lives are cultivated. Here, our farmers, growers, producers, and makers connect face-to-face with neighbors, fostering trust and a sense of belonging you can’t find anywhere else. For Panama City, this award represents more than votes, it’s a testament to our spirit! We’ve rebuilt after a Category 5 hurricane, endured through COVID, and continued to stand strong by supporting local businesses and uplifting one another. This award belongs to our vendors, our shoppers, and everyone who believes in the power of reinvesting in community. It is proof that the pulse of Panama City beats strong through the Panama City Farmers’ Market!”

Bill Davenport, Market Manager, The Panama City Farmers’ Market

SEVENTH: De Soto Farmers’ Market, De Soto, Missouri: Awarded $1,000

“As a local community organization, De Soto Farmers Market feels proud and blessed to be awarded #8 in the nation, #1 in the region and #1 in Missouri by the American Farmland Trust “2025 America’s Farmers Market Celebration”. We strive to provide healthy local options to our community and to create a family among our customers, vendors and volunteers. We could not have achieved this amazing recognition without each person that is a part of the De Soto Farmers Market Family. Winning this award means that we can provide more opportunities for our community to learn about and access healthier choices for them and their families.“

Morgan Sitkowski, Market Manager, De Soto Farmers’ Market

EIGHTH: Black Mountain Tailgate Market, Black Mountain, North Carolina: Awarded $1,000

“Our organization and the community we serve have weathered numerous challenges and changes, particularly over the last year. Winning #1 in North Carolina and placing 7th in the Nation underscores Black Mountain Tailgate Markets’ critical and multifaceted role as a platform for connection, an incubator of small, family-owned, and operated businesses, a driver of the local economy, and a sanctuary for many in the greater Swannanoa Valley region. This victory deepens the story of resilience that our broader WNC community is co-authoring in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has been deemed a geological disaster. In the past year, we have grieved, we have rebuilt, and we have reimagined how our market can fully embody what it means to be “locally grown” and “community cultivated.”

This honor not only affirms our market’s vibrance, the impact it has made on our region for 31 years, and elucidates the critical role that our patrons, friends, and neighbors play in the success of our organization… but it also presents the challenge of living up to the titles we have been awarded.

As we continue on the road to recovery, we are ever more aware of our organization’s mission, the importance of our work to nourish our community, and our ability to co-create the beautiful, bountiful, and verdant future we want for this and future generations. Our work is to create a sacred, harmonious space, to serve and love our people, and to strengthen our local economy. We wholeheartedly appreciate everyone who has helped to tell the story of the strength and resilience of our beloved Appalachian Mountains, its soil, waters, and people.”

Jacqueline Smith, Market Manager, Black Mountain Tailgate Market

NINTH: Windward Mall Farmers Market, Kaneohe, Hawaii: Awarded $875

“For us here in Hawai’i, it’s more than an award. It’s a celebration of local culture, tradition, and the spirit of aloha that connects us all. Hawai‘i has always been about mālama ‘āina (caring for the land) and supporting one another, and this recognition shows the strength of that commitment. Winning this award honors our farmers, small businesses, and community, reminding us that supporting local and mālama ‘āina strengthens our islands.”

Nicole Smythe, Market Manager, Windward Mall Farmers Market

TENTH: Downtown West Bend Farmers’ Market, West Bend, Wisconsin: Awarded $875

“The Downtown West Bend Association is thrilled that our West Bend Farmers’ Market has earned the recognition as the best farmers market in Wisconsin by popular vote for the 4th year in a row, along with the number 10 market in the nation.

Our city is in a largely agricultural region of Wisconsin. This recognition is a testament to the hard-working, multi-generational local farms and orchards that represent the core of our full-season market vendors.

Between the quality of our vendors’ produce and the appreciation of our many patrons from near and far for the fruits of their labor, we have established a farmers market that is not just a weekly open-air grocery store, but a Saturday social gathering place, with food, fun, and friendship.”

Nate Waech, Events Coordinator, Downtown West Bend Farmers’ Market

COMMUNITY CHAMPION: The Mt. Washington Farmers Market, Mt. Washington, Kentucky: Awarded merchandise and digital award

Regional Winners

• Midwest: De Soto Farmers’ Market, DeSoto, Missouri
• Pacific: Moscow Farmers Market, Moscow, Idaho