Buy Fresh, Local Chesapeake Food, Eat Local - Save The Bay

 

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CHESAPEAKE®
EAT LOCAL—SAVE THE BAY

Chesapeake Bay Foundation - We're happy to introduce the new "Buy Fresh Buy Local Chesapeake" website! Find out what local foods and the Chesapeake Bay have in common, as well as where to buy local foods, how to get involved, and more.

ABOUT BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CHESAPEAKE

Why Buy Fresh and Local?

• Fresh food and produce is healthier and more nutritious (and delicious!)
• More of your food dollars stay in the community to support local farmers and build local economies.
• When local farmers farm sustainably, they preserve open space, keep their lands productive, and protect their land from urban and suburban development, which harms the Chesapeake Bay.

Buy Fresh Buy Local Chesapeake is one of nearly 80 chapters throughout the country (and currently the only one in Maryland), working to promote locally grown food to the public, connect consumers to local food producers, and change local food priorities. The Buy Fresh Buy Local brand, under the auspices of the Food Routes Network, is nationally recognized.

The Chesapeake chapter began in 2006 with a group of dedicated individuals who had farming, restaurant, and food policy backgrounds. Since May 2010, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has been the coordinating organization for the chapter, providing staff and organizational support.

For over 25 years, CBF has been making the connection between local sustainable agriculture and the Chesapeake Bay's water quality by:

• advocating for policies and legislation that benefit farmers and the Bay.
• educating students, teachers, and the public about sustainable agriculture.
• putting conservation into practice at CBF's Clagett Farm with its CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), grass-fed beef, native tree nursery, and education center.

What's Next?

We're just getting started. In the future, check this website for:

• an online food guide with lists of farmers, producers, farmers markets, and more resources.
• outreach events at fairs and festivals to educate consumers and promote sustainable agriculture and healthy local food.
• invitations to special events, such as a Graze Fest at CBF's Clagett Farm, highlighting grass-fed beef and local produce or an Oyster Fest featuring aquaculture oysters.

 

FIND LOCAL FOOD (MARYLAND)

Maryland's Best: Searchable database of local products from Maryland farmers. From produce, seafood, grass-fed beef, grains, and specialty items to CSA's, nurseries, wine, agri-tourism, and more.
marylandsbest.net

So Maryland So Good: Farm and product guide for Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Mary's, Charles, and Prince George's counties.
somarylandsogood.com
Maryland Direct Farm Market and Pick Your Own Directory: Find out what's in season then find a local farm market or "pick-your-own" farm to get it fresh.
mdpyofarmmarkets.com
Local Harvest: A national searchable database for organic food sources--from local farms and CSA's to restaurants, grocers, and more.
localharvest.org
Amazing Grazing Directory: Produced by Future Harvest, which is helping to create a viable and sustainable local food system, this directory is your source for local grass-fed meat, poultry, and dairy products.
futureharvestcasa.org

OTHER REGIONAL BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CHAPTERS

In the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Pennsylvania:  buylocalpa.org
Virginia Chapters:  buylocalvirginia.org
Hampton Roads, Va: buylocalhamptonroads.org 
Fredericksburg, Va: farmtofredericksburg.com/
Shenandoah Valley, Va: buylocalshenvalley.org/

West Virginia:  wvfarmers.org/buylocalwv/
Outside the Bay Watershed: foodroutes.org/bfbl-chapters.jsp

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CHESAPEAKE® EAT LOCAL—SAVE THE BAY Buy Fresh Buy Local Chesapeake® is part of the FoodRoutes Network   Credit: Chesapeake Bay Foundation