Governor, First Lady O'Malley Host Second Annual "Buy Local" Cookout
Governor Kicks-off "Buy Local Week," July 18-26
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 16, 2009) –Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by First Lady Katie O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, today hosted the second annual “Buy Local” cook out and officially kicked-off Maryland’s “Buy Local” week, which challenges Marylanders to incorporate at least one locally-grown, produced or harvested product into their meals each day.
Governor O’Malley has designated July 18-26 as “Buy Local Week” in Maryland to raise awareness about the benefits of local farms and food so that the use of fresh, local products among consumers becomes more familiar and more frequent. The cookout featured recipes from 16 teams of local producers and chefs from across the State showcasing the diversity of local products available in Maryland.
“Governor O’Malley and I challenge all Maryland residents, institutions and organizations to expand their purchases of locally grown products for their favorite dishes and to try some new ones,” said First Lady Katie O’Malley. “Buying locally is key to ensuring a smart, green and growing future for Maryland families. It preserves farmland, protects the environment, keeps our money in Maryland, and provides fresh, nutritious food for a healthy diet.”
For this year’s Governor’s Buy Local Cook Out, 16 teams of local producers and chefs were selected to showcase the diversity of local products available in Maryland for farmers, buyers, elected officials, and “buy local” advocates on the front lawn of the Government House in Annapolis. The recipes were submitted by chef/producer teams and selected for their creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients. Government House chefs also prepared a few favorites recipes of theirs and the O’Malley family featuring local products, including Crepes filled with Peach Chiffon Ricotta and White Wine Sangria.
“Including local, seasonal foods in our meals is easier than ever and buying local food helps our farmers, our environment, economy, and the health of our families,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “Today, there are more than 90 farmers’ markets in Maryland. Community Supported Agriculture farms are thriving, and grocery stores are tapping into the demand for local farm and seafood products while saving transportation costs to bring the most nutritious, great-tasting food to our plates. The number of pick-your-own operations, roadside farm stands, and on-farm markets is growing too.”
In addition to the selected chefs and producers, Deer Creek Beef, Honest Tea, Kilby Cream Ice Cream, Maryland Wineries Association, Roseda Beef and Snikiddy Snacks donated their products for the cook out. Waste Neutral Group donated recycling and composting disposal services.
The Challenge, created in 2006 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, has grown since into a statewide initiative. This year, Governor Martin O’Malley invited teams of a chef and one or more farmer, waterman or producer to submit recipes featuring locally grown, raised or harvested ingredients. Over 60 recipes were submitted in the categories of appetizers, side dishes or salads, main dishes, desserts, beverages and table decorations (centerpieces). All 60-plus recipe submissions, along with a few O’Malley family favorites are available online at: www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cookbook.pdf. The Maryland Wineries Association recommended wine pairings for each recipe.
In its 2009 Policy Choices Survey, the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 77 percent of Marylanders want to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.
To find local products, locate a farmers market and to learn more about Maryland’s Buy Local Week Challenge, visit www.marylandsbest.net. Sources of local seafood can be found at www.marylandseafood.org.
Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance will make a series of visits during Buy Local Week to highlight the diversity of products and places to buy local food in Maryland, including farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture farms, county fairs, wineries, and grocery stores.
Click on the following links for additional information:
- Buy Local Benefits www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cookout_local_benefits.pdf
- Biographies on Producers/Chefs www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cookout_bios.pdf
- Menu Statistics www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cookout_menu_stats.pdf
- 2009 Maryland Buy Local Cookbook www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/cookbook.pdf.
