SMADC Releases 2009-10 Farmers’ Market Guide

Posted by chris on April 29, 2009

Searching for farm fresh produce and want to find it locally? The 2009 – 10 So Maryland, So Good Farmers’ Market Guide is now available through the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC). The guide lists the locations of regional Farmers’ Markets in the Southern Maryland and metro-Washington DC area that offer the finest and freshest products from Southern Maryland farms. The user friendly guide provides market contact information by county (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and DC Metro) as well as hours of operation, individual Web sites and the dates of special market events and Customer Appreciation days. A handy fold out map makes it easy to pin-point the exact location of each market and a regional harvesting chart shows you when your seasonal favorites will be available at their most delicious peak. For restaurants, stores and brokers seeking local produce, the guide also includes the locations of the region’s two wholesale produce auction sites. To view or download the Farmers’ Market Guide, visit www.somarylandsogood.com or call (301) 274-1922 for a list of pick-up sites.

Not all produce that is marketed as ‘local’ is truly locally grown. In these environmentally conscious times look for the So Maryland So Good logo at a farmers’ market in your neighborhood to be certain of Southern Maryland home-grown freshness, and do your part to reduce the carbon foot print by minimizing the distance your food travels to your plate. Southern Maryland’s markets offer a wide range of produce year round and many more farm raised products including cut flowers and potted plants, fresh eggs, local honey, jellies, jams and baked goods. A trip to a farmers’ market makes a wonderful family outing and is a great way to teach children about healthy eating habits, farm fresh foods and how important farms are to the environment.

The Farmer’s Market Guide is one of many resources created by SMADC in support of regional agriculture to assist local farm-based businesses in their continued growth and commercial viability. A related effort is the upcoming state-wide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 18 – 26). Marylanders are challenged to pledge to eat at least one locally grown item per day for a week. To participate in the Buy Local Challenge, simply visit www.buy-local-challenge.com for more information and links to local farms, farmers markets, menu ideas and shopping tips, and special Buy Local Challenge Week events. Check back regularly as the Buy Local Challenge Web site is being updated so that you can post your own BLC event.

Reasons to Buy Local:

• Exceptional Taste and Freshness
  Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.
• Strengthen the Local Economy
  Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.
• Support Independent/Family Farms
  There’s never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.
• Enhance your Family’s Health
  Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations. Buy food from local farmers you trust.
• Protect the Environment
  Local food doesn’t have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.

To find out more about the guide or to learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@somarylandsogood.com; or visit these websites: www.somdtrails.com or www.somarylandsogood.com .