This year, the 13th Annual National Farmers’ Market Week, taking place from August 5 to 11, will mark an important milestone. Since the USDA began declaring National Farmers’ Market Week in 2000, the number of farmers’ markets has grown 150 percent, from 2,863 markets to 7,175 in 2011. These numbers have continued to rise in 2012, as farmers’ markets become fresh food mainstays for shoppers across all socio-economic, political and ethnic ranges.

In celebration, the Greater Lehigh Valley chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local and several producer-only farmers’ markets are holding Discover You Can canning demonstrations to teach shoppers how to can summer’s bounty. Visit the following farmers’ markets to Discover You Can and receive free instruction booklets, coupons, pectin and pickling mix samples will also be available.

The following topics and locations are planned for the week. Relish, by Roger’s Relish, Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, August 5; Freezing Produce, by Heritage Farm CSA, Historic Historic District Bethlehem Farmers’ Market, August 7; Salsa, by Easton Salsa, Bethlehem Farmers’ Market at Campus Square, August 9; Sauerkraut, by Homesweet Homegrown author, Robyn Jasko, at Kutztown Main St Growers’ Market, August 9; Pickles, by Chris Boehm, Macungie Farmers’ Market, August 9; Low/No Sugar Canning, by Kristy Klein, Easton Farmers’ Market, August 11; and a still to be announced topic on August 11 at Nazareth Square Farmers’ Market.

For more information, visit www.BuyLocalGreaterLehighValley.org.