Why Buy Local?

·         Buying local food keeps our dollars circulating in our community.

·         Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities. 

·         If every area household spent just $10/week on local foods, it could generate $384.2 million annually in southeast Virginia and $1.65 billion statewide.

·         There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. Between 2002 and 2007, Virginia lost more than 500,000 acres of farm land. With each local food purchase, you choose to support our local farms.

·         Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties grown for their taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.

·         Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised may enable you to choose food from farmers who certify that they avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations.

Become a part of the Buy Fresh Buy Local Community:

• Sign up for the monthly newsletter - it's free.
• Become a member and join the people who are helping to make a difference at the grassroots level; without your help there would be no Food Guide.
• Go out of your way to eat at the restaurants that are supporting the local farmers; support the farms who are growing and selling their products locally and just see what a difference fresh food can make to your table.