Kentuckians are invited to “the freshest party in town” in a new advertising campaign promoting farmers’ markets.

The campaign is part of the Kentucky Proud program, which is the state’s official agricultural marketing program.

The campaign includes video and radio spots as well as limited TV and print buys. The campaign will run for nine weeks, driving consumers to make direct farm purchases at a registered Kentucky Proud farmers’ market. The marketing plan includes ads on social media.

In a press release issued Monday, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles sang the praises of Kentucky’s many farmers’ markets.

“Kentucky’s farmers’ markets enable Kentuckians to get healthy, fresh food while supporting local farmers at the same time. Kentucky has more than 165 markets in 113 counties, so I hope this new advertising campaign will get Kentuckians to visit the freshest party in their town,” he said.

The new advertising campaign is just one more tool in the box to help Kentuckians continue gaining access to fresh, local foods.

The number of farmers markets in the U.S. has grown rapidly in recent years, from just under 2,000 in 1994 to more than 8,600 markets currently registered with the USDA.

The Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market is a superb example of a quality market, and has grown over the past decade.

The many volunteers who put hours of work in annually to facilitate and organize the market deserve praise for their efforts.

The local market participates in various programs that help put fresh, healthy foods on the tables of families from all walks of life in our community. Programs like WIC, SNAP and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offer access to the freshest of produce to some of those who struggle most to access it.

Farmers’ markets are mutually beneficial because local farmers help their communities with access to produce — they know where it came from, how it was grown and who grew it — and the community helps support local farmers with their valuable dollars.

Our local market also offers various community-building opportunities throughout the season with the annual Veggie Fest, Kids Day, Holy Smokes and more.

The market, the member farmers and the volunteers deserve a lot of recognition for all that goes into making our market incredibly successful.

Hopefully this new advertising campaign will spark more interest in Kentucky’s farmers’ markets, which have become a vital part of many communities.