The Shreveport Farmers' Market has been selected to participate in the 2012 America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest hosted each year by American Farmland Trust.

The online contest is a nationwide challenge to see which of America's farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. At the end of the contest on August 31st, one large, medium, small, and boutique sized farmers market will win the title of "America's Favorite Farmers Market" for 2012. Shreveport Farmers' Market placed in the Top 25 in the large category in 2011. Winners will be featured on Epicurious.com, an award-winning food site, and will be honored at local celebrations where they will receive prize packages from American Farmland Trust and its partners.

Farmers markets are a vital link between local farms and their supporting communities, providing fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. By partnering with farmers market managers, American Farmland Trust is encouraging consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers. Market shoppers can cast their vote in support of their region's farmers, community and market. To vote for Shreveport Farmers' Market, simply go to www.farmland.org/vote by using the market's name or the zip code 71101.

"The America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest is a fun and engaging way for farmers' market shoppers to show their pride for their local farmers markets and to directly support their communities," said Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust. "Farmers markets provide a vital connection from town and city centers to surrounding local farms, supplying fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else."

Shreveport Farmers' Market is located in Festival Plaza in Downtown Shreveport, and takes place on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to noon through September 1, and on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. until July 17.