Commissioner Farmer Issues 'Eat Local' Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 27, 2009

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-1137

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer challenges all Kentuckians to buy local Kentucky Proud foods and eat locally as often as possible.

“When you buy local, you’re buying fresh, wholesome food for your family,” Commissioner Farmer said. “You’re also helping Kentucky’s economy. If everybody in Kentucky planned just one meal a week featuring all Kentucky Proud products, we could add an enormous amount of money to our hard-working farm families’ bottom lines.”

Farmers’ markets offer a vast array of local fruits, vegetables and other products. Most fruits and vegetables grown in Kentucky are at their peak, and Commissioner Farmer said there’s no better time to shop at one of Kentucky’s 124 farmers’ markets than Farmers’ Market Week, which continues through Saturday, Aug. 1.

“Farmers’ markets give consumers the chance to buy tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelon, apples, peaches and many other fruits and vegetables at the height of freshness and nutritional value,” Commissioner Farmer said. “You also can look for sauces, cheeses, meats, crafts, cut flowers and other products. And you can meet the people who raised or made those products.”

About 2,000 Kentucky farmers’ market vendors rang up an estimated $8 million in sales in 2007, up from $5.4 million in 2003.

The Good Foods Market & Café in Lexington has joined Kentucky Proud and more than 50 food co-ops nationwide to challenge consumers to eat local this summer. Good Foods will host a kick-off event for the challenge on Aug. 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Customers can sign up for the challenge and enjoy samples by local producers, music and a grill out with local hot dogs and hamburgers.

Dozens of other retailers, restaurants, state parks and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets throughout Kentucky offer Kentucky Proud products.

Kentucky Proud is the Commonwealth’s official farm marketing program. Kentucky Proud has generated $250 million in retail sales of Kentucky farm products through member retailers in the past three years, including $100 million in 2008.