Presence of on-farm markets varies across U.S. counties

On-farm markets, in which farms sell produce and products directly to consumers, are outlets for locally produced food in communities across the United States. These markets often provide access to fresh and affordable food. USDA, Economic Research Service’s (ERS) Food Environment Atlas was recently updated with self-reported data from the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s On-Farm Market Directory. In 2023, on-farm markets were present in more than 900, or approximately 29 percent, of U.S. counties, though distribution varied across the country. Most counties reported zero on-farm markets; however, these areas may rely more on other marketing channels to access local foods, including farmers’ markets, foodstores such as grocery stores, or other outlets. A few counties had relatively high counts of on-farm markets, such as Hillsborough County, FL, with 11 and San Diego County, CA; Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT; McHenry County, IL; Merrimack County, NH; Washington County, OR; and King, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties in Washington were accessible from dense surrounding populations, each with 8 reported on-farm markets. Michigan had a total of 104 self-reported on-farm markets, followed by Ohio with 93, Florida with 89, New York with 81, and Virginia with 77. ERS's recently updated Food Environment Atlas provides a spatial overview of a community's ability to access food, with more than 300 indicators on store and restaurant availability, nutrition assistance programs (including eligibility, participation, redemptions, and policies), community characteristics, and other indicators of the food environment at State or county levels. This figure appears in the ERS Food Environment Atlas data product, updated in July 2025.