🌽 You get fresher and healthier products 🍅 You get better tasting food 🚜 You support an economy near your home, rather than thousands of miles away 🐓 You support Southern Maryland's rich agricultural heritage and natural beauty
Buying local produce is simple. Consumers can choose from farmers markets, CSAs, restaurants, roadside stands and pick your own operations. Local school systems also have the opportunity to feature local produce in school cafeterias through various farm to school programs.
Interested in subscription boxes?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers members the opportunity to purchase a ‘subscription’ for weekly or monthly boxes of produce. CSA produce ranges from veggies and fruits to meats, eggs, flowers and seafood items. Visit www.calvertag.com/CSA to learn more.
Buy Local Challenge
When you buy local, you help ensure that the benefits of our farms survive for many years to come. Every year the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) sponsors the "Buy Local Challenge" where consumers pledge to eat at least one thing from a local farmer every day during Buy Local Week which is the last week in July. For more information about the challenge, visit the Buy Local Challenge Website.
According to the Buy Local Challenge website, buying local is good for you, good for the local economy and good for the planet. In addition to providing food that's fresh and nutritional, buying from local farms promotes cleaner air and water and reduces our carbon footprint on the planet. If every household in Maryland purchased just $12 worth of farm products for eight weeks (basically the summer season), over $200 million would be put back into the pockets of our farmers.
Southern Maryland Buy Local Guide
An interactive guide featuring seasonal and year-round farms and farmers markets in Southern Maryland. It includes opening dates, business hours, contact information, and details on which markets, farm stands, and stores accept federal nutrition benefits and participate in the Maryland Market Money program. To view the guide online, visit the SMADC Southern Maryland Buy Local Guide.
Maryland's Best
Maryland's Best is your source to find the best local products from Maryland farmers. From produce, seafood and specialty foods to grains, nursery items and ag-recreational activities, find everything you need and more. Visit Maryland's Best Website for more information.