Go Local, Virginia
A Consumer’s Guide to Buying Healthful, Locally Produced
Foods in Virginia
Authors: Nick Rose, Graduate Student, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods,
and Exercise, Virginia Tech;
Elena Serrano, Assistant Professor and Extension Nutritionist, Department of
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech .
Publication Number 348-127, Posted May 2006
Buying and eating locally grown foods – foods that are produced near you or in Virginia – offer numerous benefits for you and your community.
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Outside of a few winter months; typically you can buy Virginia fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Look at the chart at the end of this publication to see the growing and harvest seasons for different produce. Of course, nonperishable foods that are processed in Virginia -- like grains and specialty items -- as well as meat and dairy products are available year-round.
Return to Table of ContentsThere are many places in Virginia where you can find locally produced foods. Many of these places are listed here, including farmers' markets, grocery stores, and small farms. There are many other ways to find local foods such as purchasing food from farmers at roadside stands, or even growing your own food in your backyard. Contact your local Extension agent for information on which locally produced foods are available in your area, where you can find them, and (if interested) about Master Gardener programs. Your local grocery store, farmers markets, and the websites such as the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website for consumer services, http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/consumer/index.html, are also good resources.
Farmers markets: Get to know the people behind the food – the farmers!
Farmers markets offer consumers the opportunity to buy fresh foods directly
from farmers,
talk with the food producers about the actual foods, and often acquire recipes
or suggestions on preparation techniques. Since there is no “middleman,”
produce from farmers markets usually cost significantly less than produce from
grocery stores. To find a farmers market near you, go to: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/States/Virginia.htm
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs: Help fund a farm! Buy a membership in a local farm, and receive weekly boxes of freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs. There are more than 25 CSA programs throughout Virginia. Each one offers different packages and varieties of food. To find one near you, go to http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown-july/csa.html.
Select-your-own/Pick-your-own fresh produce (U-Picks): Visit a Virginia farm and pick your own fresh produce right off the tree (or bush). Many farms also have pre-picked foods for you to select as well. Some of the foods available at “U-Picks” include peaches, apples, strawberries, asparagus, and pumpkins. To find a farm to visit, look through “Virginia Grown: Guide to Pick-Your-Own and Select-Your-Own Farm Product” online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown/.
Food festivals: Attend a festival centered on food. Food festivals offer you the opportunity to learn about different foods, where they come from, how they are produced, and numerous ways to eat them. Festivals also allow you to celebrate the bounty of food produced right here in Virginia. Food festivals vary by region. There are food festivals celebrating strawberries, peaches, pork, garlic, wine, and even maple syrup. To find what some of Virginia’s food festivals are, go to http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/festival.html.
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Restaurants: Many great restaurants in Virginia serve locally produced foods. Ask the manager of your favorite restaurant if they serve any local foods.
Virginia’s Finest®: You can find foods with the Virginia’s
Finest trademark at many grocery stores, markets, and other retail outlets.
These foods are produced
or processed in Virginia and include peanuts, ham, honey, grits, tortilla chips,
salsa, jams, jellies, pickles, mustards, and soups. Virginia Cooperative Extension
has helped develop several food products throughout the state and continues
to look for other opportunities to support Virginia agriculture. Look for the
Virginia’s Finest logo to help support Virginia producers, processors,
and businesses whenever possible. You can learn more about the Virginia’s
Finest Program and where to purchase some of the items at the VDACS website,
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vafinest/index.html.
Wineries/Vineyards: Virginia ranks 11th among farm wine and commercial
grape growing states with nearly 250 wineries around the state. More than 20
grape varieties
are grown in Virginia, resulting in a wide variety of wines.
Supermarkets/Grocery stores: Some grocery stores carry Virginia-grown
produce and Virginia’s finest products. Also, many small health-food stores
purchase
locally produced foods from small farmers. Ask the produce manager where you
shop if they can carry Virginia-grown products if they don’t already do
so.
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Combined with physical activity, Virginia products can be part of a healthy lifestyle. See examples here of foods that fit into the different food groups of MyPyramid at http://www.mypyramid.gov.
Here are some examples of Virginia-grown foods that fit into MyPyramid:
Grains: grits, cornmeal, buckwheat, flour, pancake mixes, fresh bread
Vegetables: corn, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, salad greens, spinach, collard greens, asparagus, bell peppers, cucumbers, green beans, okra, cabbage, ramps, pumpkin
Fruit: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, cherries, melons, cider
Meat and beans: eggs, peanuts, pork, beef, oysters, fish, crabs
Milk: milk, fresh cheeses, butter
Other: honey, jams, jellies, apple butter, salsa, maple syrup, molasses, wines
Support local farmers and producers and you’ll not only enjoy fresh, tasty food that fits into a healthy diet, but feel good about your purchases. Go Local, Virginia!
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Breakfast:
Buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup
Eggs
Grits
Fresh bread with strawberry preserves
Lunch:
Virginia ham sandwich
Green beans
Corn on the cob
Peach ice cream
Snacks:
Tortilla chips with salsa
Roasted peanuts
Fresh watermelon
Dinner:
Fresh seafood, ham, or crab
Mixed-greens salad with Vidalia onion dressing
Mashed or roasted potatoes
Virginia wine
Blackberry cobbler
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VIRGINIA
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY CALENDAR*
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JAN
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FEB
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MAR
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APR
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MAY
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JUNE
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JULY
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AUG
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SEPT
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OCT
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NOV
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DEC
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APPLES
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ASPARAGUS
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BLACKBERRIES
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BLUEBERRIES
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BROCCOLI
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CANTALOPES
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CUCUMBERS
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GRAPES
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GREEN BEANS
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GREEN PEPPERS
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GREENS/SPINACH
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NECTARINES
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PEACHES
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PUMPKINS
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RASPBERRIES
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SQUASH
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STRAWBERRIES
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SWEET CORN
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TOMATOES
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WATERMELONS
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