by Laura Romaneo (Romaneo is the Cooperative Extension Agent for Worcester County and a Coastal Bays Implementation Committee member.)

Did you know that most of our food travels an average of 1,300 miles from the farm where it is grown to our tables? These produce items may be in transit for up to 14 days! The states exporting the most produce include California, Florida and Washington. In order for these fruits and vegetables to reach us in the best possible condition, the varieties grown are chosen for their ability to withstand transportation and packaging.

These are often not the varieties that have the best flavor, or nutrition. When fruits and vegetables are grown and consumed locally, their nutrition, flavor and freshness are at a maximum, as they are often reaching you within 24 hours of harvest. These are the types of foods that you can purchase at local farm stands, farmers markets and pick-your-own farms. Many local grocery stores also contract with local growers to provide fresh produce in season. Farmers often grow a large assortment of unique varieties, ones that cannot often be shipped long distances. This allows the consumer to experience an array of tastes throughout the season.

Buying local food helps keep your dollars circulating within your community. This will insure that more of your money spent actually goes to the farmer. Currently, the average farmer only gets 20 cents of each dollar spent on food. This is down from 41 cents in 1950. The rest of the dollar is spent on advertising, transportation, packaging and labor. It is no wonder that farmers have a difficult time staying profitable! Coupled with encroaching urban areas increasing the real estate value of land, many family farms are going out of business.

Supporting and encouraging the production of local foods can help develop a regional food system. Value-added products can also bring an increased profit to the farmer. Local restaurants can focus upon regional specialties, varying their menu throughout the season to highlight local flavors. Farmers markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), farm stands and grocery stores focusing upon local products can add support to a “Buy Local” campaign. It not only gives the consumer a choice in products, but also
benefits the local economy.

Two state and federally funded programs have been developed in order to make local foods more accessible to mothers, children and the elderly. In the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and SFMNP (Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) programs, coupons are provided to these groups that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands and CSA programs. Both of these programs are available in Maryland at all State (Maryland Department of Agriculture) supported farmers market locations.

By supporting local food producers, we improve our local economies and strengthen families. By supporting the local farm family we preserve open space, natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Encourage your favorite restaurant or grocery store to buy local produce, and visit your local farmers market or farm stand weekly. To get a listing of the market closest to you, call your local County Extension Office or see the Maryland Department of Agriculture Website, <http://www.mda.state.md.us/> click on Maryland Agricultural Products.