Janice Gilroy considers herself spoiled, at least when it comes to fresh
produce.
The La Plata resident heads out to Shlagel Farms in Waldorf to pick her
own strawberries throughout May and June or heads to her town's farmers'
market when she can't make it out to the farm. She also likes to
purchase locally grown string beans, squash and other crops.
For Gilroy, buying local makes sense.
This July, Southern Marylanders are urged to get out and buy local food
products that support local farm families, taste better, are healthier
than products shipped in and reduce carbon emissions by not traveling as
far as other food items.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission will host the
2nd Annual Buy Local Challenge during the week of July 19-27. The
challenge is to eat one thing every day from a farm. The event is in
July since a variety of farm products are available.
Prince Frederick farmer Michael Cox depends on the local community to
make ends meet and hopes others will decide to sample the products the
area has to offer.
"We're actually here; we're in the community (and) people know where we
live," said Cox, owner of White Oak Point Farm. He handed out
information on last year's challenge and plans to be involved this year.
"We depend on our local customers."
Cox said it is hard to tell if the challenge brought in more customers
last year, but he doesn't think the attention hurts.
Buying products directly from a farm is only one way to participate.
People can also go to farm stands, farmers' markets or wineries, buy
local produce at participating grocery stores or eat local products on
restaurant menus.
If each household spends $8 on local farm products for 12 weeks, about
$54 million can be invested back into the farms and local economy,
according to the Web site for the Buy Local Challenge.
"The first thing is economics," said Cox. "The second thing is people
want a connection with the farmer."
Local restaurateur Rob Plant, of Blue Wind Gourmet in California, Md.,
catered the July 26, 2007 event focusing on buying straight from the
farm, which included a visit from state Gov. Martin O'Malley to the H.
H. Walter Farm in Hughesville as part of the "Capital for a Day" event.
The menu featured locally grown products.
This year, Plant, along with other business owners, kicked off the
challenge a little early with a "Local Flavor, Local Fare" event in the
Leonardtown Square on June 24, with proceeds to benefit Habitat for
Humanity. Restaurants, wineries and retailers offered samples of food
and wine made from fresh, local products.
On July 17, Leonardtown will become "Capital for a Day" and host the
luncheon to kick off the Buy Local Challenge. O'Malley is supposed to
attend the event, according to Katherine Stormont, communications and
public relations consultant with the Southern Maryland Agricultural
Development Commission. The details of where the lunch will be held and
who will cater are in the works.
Do you think you have what it takes to meet the challenge? Why not
venture out and grab some Maryland lettuce, tomatoes, squash or
strawberries. Perhaps you'll have an impact on the community and your
neighborhood farmers.
If you have a story to share on your experiences with the Buy Local
Challenge, please share it with us at somdthisisliving (at) aol.com.
Here are local farmers' markets in your area and some of the restaurants
that carry locally grown food.
Local Farmers' Markets
California Farmers' Market
Located in the BAE parking lot on Route 235 and Town Creek Drive in
California, Md., 301-475-4200 x 1402, or 301-872-5605. Sat. 9 a.m. - 1
p.m.
Calvert County Farmers' Market
Located in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center parking lot, 98 S.
Solomons Island Road, 410-535-4583. Sat. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wed. 2 - 6
p.m.
La Plata Farmers' Market
Located in the Courthouse parking lot off Washington Avenue and Charles
Street, 301-934-8421. Wed. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Loveville Produce Auction
Located in Loveville at 40454 Bishop Road, off Route 247 (Loveville
Road). Fresh produce picked daily, bedding plants and flowers from local
Mennonite and area farms. Wed. and Fri. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
North Beach Farmers' Market
Located between Chesapeake Ave. and Bay Ave. 301-855-6681, 410-257-9618.
Fri. 6 - 9 p.m.
North St. Mary's County Market
Located at the Charlotte Hall Library at the corner of Route 5 and Route
6, 301-475-4200 x 1402. Mon. and Sat. daylight hours.
Waldorf Farmers' Market
Producers only. Located at Waldorf Festival shopping center in the
parking lot on Route 228 and Route 301, 301-934-8571. Wed. 4 - 7 p.m.,
Sat. 8 a.m. - noon.
Restaurants or Caterers Carrying Local Produce
BlackHawke Productions
43925 Commerce Ave., Bldg. B, Unit 1, Box 6, Hollywood, Md.;
888-229-8975 or
www.BlackHawkeProd.com
Brewing Grounds Coffee & Tea, Inc.
41658 Fenwick St., Leonardtown; 301-475-8040.
Brome Howard Inn
18281 Rosecroft Rd., St. Mary's City; 301-866-0656 or
www.bromehowardinn.com
Cafe Des Artistes
41655 Fenwick St., Leonardtown; 301-997-0500 or cafedesartistes.ws
The CD Café
14350 Solomons Island Rd., Solomons; 410-326-3877 or
www.cdcafe.info
The Coffee Quarter
22576 McArthur Blvd., California, Md.; 301-866-0106 or
www.CoffeeQuarter.com
The Crossing at Casey Jones
417 East Charles St., La Plata; 301-932-6226 or
www.thecrossingatcaseyjones.com
Dry Dock Restaurant
251 C St., Solomons Island, MD 20688, 410-326-4817
J.T. Daugherty Center
22111 Three Notch Rd., Lexington Park; 301-863-9345 or
www.htwhospitality.com
Lenny's
23418 Three Notch Rd., California, Md.; 301-737-0777 or
www.lennys.net
Mom's in the Kitchen
114 South Solomon's Island Rd., Prince Frederick;
410-535-4355.
Old Field Inn
485 Main St., Prince Frederick;
www.oldfieldinn.com
Petruzzi's
23415 Three Notch Rd., California, Md.; 301-866-0777 or
www.petruzzis.com
Robertson's Crab House
11455 Popes Creek Rd., Newburg; 301-934-3300 or
www.robertsonscrabhouse.com
The Royal Tea Room
110 East Charles St., La Plata; 301-392-1111.
Saphron Restaurant
135 Central Square Dr., Prince Frederick; 410-414-9903.
Tea N Scones
2267 Washington St., Leonardtown; 301-997-1110.
The Tea Room
26005 Point Lookout Rd., Leonardtown; 301-475-1980.
The Tides Restaurant & Oyster Bar
46580 Expedition Dr., Lexington Park; 301-862-5303 or
www.thetidesrestaurant.net
Vincenzo's at Calvert Marina
14415 Dowell Rd., Dowell; 410-326-9900 or
www.vincenzosgrill.com
The Westlawn Inn
9200 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach; 410-257-0001 or
www.westlawninn.com
To find other stores carrying local farm products or a list of local
farmers visit
www.somarylandsogood.com . |
