The Farm Market Stamp: First Day of Issue

Dedication Ceremony at the White House FRESHFARM Market

Edible DC had a chance to chat with Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and Robin Moline, the stamp’s illustrator at the dedication of the Unites States Postal Service’s new Farmers Market stamp, a forever stamp that is designed as a four stamp mural depicting the bounty of the farm market—produce, flowers, cheese, bread and fruits. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was at the dedication as a guest speaker, as well as FRESHFARM Market co-founder Bernie Prince and the Postmaster General.  According to Sec. Vilsack, the stamp is timely as 2014 marks an over 50% increase in the number of U.S. farmers markets in the past 10 years.

Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. The number of farmers markets in the U.S. has over doubled over the past decade. 

Interview with Postmaster General Donahoe and the stamp illustrator.

Edible DC (EDC): Are you personally excited about the dedication of this Farmers Market stamp?

Postmaster General Donahoe (PGD): Yes I am—first of all it’s one of the prettiest stamps ever. I particularly love the mural design and just the vibrancy. And I’m a farmer—an urban one, so this stamp just is something I really like.

EDC: How did it come about?

PGD: That’s a great question, and it is quite a process. We receive over 20,000 recommendations for commerative stamps, theme stamps—all different ideas from across the county every year. We have a Citizens Advisory Board who reviews the ideas and brings forth their favorites—and then once selections are made, we open a competition for design. And select a date for dedication and release, which wraps up the process.

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