(ALBUQUERQUE) – You’re invited to a pizza party!

It’s not just any pizza you’ll find at this shindig being hosted during the 2013 New Mexico State Fair. These pies will feature tomatoes, onions, green chile, and more locally grown produce – the kind of fresh items you’ll find when you visit one of New Mexico’s farmers’ markets.

The Farmers’ Market Pizza Party is set for Saturday, September 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the courtyard of the Agriculture Building at the New Mexico State Fair. The courtyard will be full of signs with the NEW MEXICO—Grown with Tradition® logo, which was designed to help consumers quickly identify agricultural items that were grown in the Land of Enchantment.

“We want people to come out and see just how simple (and delicious) it is to add locally grown items from the farmers’ market to the meals your family already enjoys,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “Everyone is invited – especially New Mexicans who have never been to their local farmers’ market.”

New Mexico’s network of farmers’ markets has seen solid growth over the last 20 years. Two decades ago, you were lucky if you lived near one of the approximately 20 markets that existed in the state at that time. Today 75 markets are alive and well across the state. Seven markets opened between last season and this one alone.

Contributing to the growth of New Mexico farmers’ markets is the increasing convenience of buying items from them. For instance, several markets have begun to accept credit and debit cards.

The markets are participants in the NEW MEXICO—Grown with Tradition® logo program.

For more information – including when and where to find the market(s) near you, as well as what produce is now in season – please visit the NMFMA’s website at www.farmersmarketsnm.org.
For more information about the NEW MEXICO—Grown with Tradition® logo program , please visit www.newmexicotradition.com