What’s a farmers market in Vermont without the farmers?

Despite Vermont boasting more farmers markets per resident than any state in the nation, most struggle to attract vendors because farm sales have dropped drastically, with average agricultural sales falling by nearly 60% between 2022 and 2025. This financial challenge is causing a quiet reordering of local food purchasing habits, pushing growers toward options like community supported agriculture shares and direct-to-farm stands for steadier income.