DNR to Host Farmer's Market Every Thursday This Summer

Annapolis, MD - Every Thursday throughout the summer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a farmer’s market in the parking lot of the Tawes State Office Building at 580 Taylor Ave. in Annapolis. The markets will run from 3 to 6 p.m. each Thursday beginning June 18 and ending on September 17. They will feature locally-grown fruit and vegetables from Maryland farmers.

“This is a great opportunity to support our local farmers, and we invite everyone who lives or works in and around Annapolis to stop by and pick up some fresh, local produce,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin.

Buying locally is one of the tenets of Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative, which aims to secure a more sustainable future for the state of Maryland. The program urges Marylanders to buy locally-grown products at farmer’s markets, restaurants and grocery stores, as this keeps land open and productive, leading to a healthier overall environment.

Farmers’ markets provide an important source of income for farmers and also provide the community with a meeting place where residents can catch up with each other while purchasing farm-fresh, nutritious, local products.

“Buying locally-grown products, especially directly from farmers strengthens our local economies, the health of our environment and our families, and keeps land open and productive,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Buddy Hance. “Farmers’ markets across Maryland are increasingly popular sources of farm-fresh, locally-grown, nutritious produce. Every dollar spent on local products supports independent family farmers who contribute to the economic health of the community.”

“The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are lifelong,” added Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary John M. Colmers. “Studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease and some cancers.”

For more information about DNR’s summer farmer’s market, contact Lisa Barge at 410-222-7410.

With 93 farmer’s markets in every county and Baltimore city, buying locally can be easy and convenient. Find a farmer’s market near you, or read more about how you can participate in creating a better future for Maryland’s communities at http://www.green.maryland.gov/communities.html.
 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.