When it comes to the state of Maryland, the momentum to buy local food is rather extraordinary. Last year, the state ranked 9th in the nation in the consumption of local produce and meat. And over 80% of Marylanders responded in a recent poll that they had increased their purchasing of local products in the last three years, while nearly 90% said they would pay more for locally grown products.
These key indicators show a remarkably robust market for farmers in Maryland to tap into, but the challenges of connecting with buyers remains a significant roadblock for many. That is one of the reasons the Maryland Farm Bureau and the University of Maryland Agriculture Law Education Initiative teamed up last night at Chesapeake College for a fascinating panel discussion on what buyers and sellers of Maryland’s finest need to know to tap into this expanding revenue source.
The Spy caught the first panel of the evening of buyers, that including Kelley Jackson from Emily’s Produce, Beth Brewster from the Caroline County Public Schools, Ed Bush from Teddy Bear Fresh Produce and Chef Jordan Lloyd from the Bartlett Pear Inn. They talked about their own experiences about buying from area growers and what the future looks like for locally grown food.
This video is approximately twenty-two minutes in length
Kathy Bosin says
Thank you for being there, Spy! Excellent.