MD Farmers Talk Buy Local Week

(SALISBURY, Md) – Maryland Governor Wes Moore is encouraging people to shop local when it comes to what they put in their fridge this week.

Plenty of people are out at the Camden Avenue Farmer’s Market in South Salisbury, supporting growers like Jeff Pettis who runs Chesapeake Honey with his wife. Or Stephen Blades who runs Blades Orchards in Caroline County with his family.

“Farming is always ups and downs. And so this kind of farmers market really helps the local farmer to, you know, find an outlet for his or her produce. So it’s really it really is important,” says Jeff.

While Stephen tells WMDT, “It’s extremely important for us. It’s our first avenue of getting your name out. It’s a large income stream for us.”

About thirty minutes from Salisbury in rural Dorchester County, Layton’s Chance Winery understands how vital supporting Maryland growers is.

And why this year, more than ever, it’s important to show support to Maryland farmers.

“One of our staple objectives here when we started the winery was to be a voice for agriculture and be a gateway for others to learn more about agriculture,” says Layton’s Chance General Manager, Jennifer Layton.

Plus there’s the added benefit of having the produce be as fresh as it can possibly be.

“Most of the things you see at farmer’s markets were picked within the last 24 hours fresh from the tree. You know, you go to a grocery store. We’ve been picked, you know, as early as seven days before possibly ten, maybe even longer for some fruit, for some products…” says Stephen Blades.

Buy Local Week will run through Saturday, July 25th.