The Maryland Buy Local Challenge

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The Maryland "Buy Local" Challenge

One Maryland-grown, -caught, or -produced product every day for the week of July 19th to 27th. Let's get eating, folks!

"Use one Maryland-produced item a day." That's the challenge, folks, laid before us this week during "Buy Local Week" in Maryland.

Eight whole days, from July 19th to the 27th. Yes, eight days in a week. The explanation -- it's either an opportunity to bookend your week with two visits to Maryland farmers markets, or because our farmers work so hard, they can cram eight days of work into a seven-day week.

The kickoff event was a total foodfest. The heat was sweltering. The remarks, from our Secretary of Ag, Lieutenant Governor, Guv and Christine Bergmark of the Southern Maryland Ag Development Commission, were kept blessedly short. And the food, oh, my heavens, the food...all local, all fab.

The week is brought to you by the good people at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, in all its food-growing glory, from water to fields to wine. It's really a win-win-win-win for everybody when we try to adhere to the simple requirements of the week. By keeping our food-dollars in the state:

We reduce the food-miles our meals take -- less fuel, better for planet!
We keep our dollars close to home -- good for the producers, good for our state's economy.
We support family owned farms -- so they can keep farming!
And it just tastes fresher and better. Good for us!

We were curious about who put together the menu for the picnic. Everybody started pointing at everyone else (in a spirit of sharing credit, of course). Members of the team included people from the Government House and staff from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The food itself was donated by the producers.

We also are at work to bring you some of the recipes from the Executive Chef at the governor's mansion. People rolled their eyes to the heavens over the potato salad and the deviled eggs. Check back soon. We will post them as soon as we have them!

Contributors:

Chesapeake Fields snacks and artisan breads
Swann Farm corn on the cob
Perdue pulled chicken BBQ and grilled chicken

Poached striped bass from the Seafood Marketing Board
Watermelon from Hales Farm
Sauders deviled eggs. Must get recipe.
Potato salad. With potatoes from Priapi Gardens, Homestead Farms, Clagett Farm
Binkert's Frankfurters, Baltimore
Hamburgers from Deer Creek Beef and Sassafras River Beef
Tomatoes, Clagett Farms
Chapel Country Creamery Cheddar Cheese
Pies and Desserts from Baugher's Orchards and Emily's Produce.
Honest Tea drinks from Montgomery County.

One Maryland-grown, -caught or -produced product a day? Not a prob! They're everywhere. At supermarkets, seafood stores, at farmer's markets, and restaurants that feature local foods. And we suggest topping off one of your dinners with a local Maryland wine. For a list of last year's award winners, check the Foodie Archives.