Vote with Your Taste Buds

Smart Growth and Food

Eating local and sustainable food is all the rage, but did you know there's a smart growth connection? Smart growth is about using our land more wisely. This means both building more walkable communities with transit and preserving the Washington region's farmland. Accommodating future growth near jobs and existing transit, while converting our acres of parking lots to walkable communities, reduces the pressure to develop our farmland and the places that provide us with food.

Every time you choose to buy locally grown food, you are casting a vote for a more sustainable future for our region!

Local Food Benefits Us and the Entire Region

In the Washington region, we are fortunate to have working farmland so close to us, due to public and private efforts to save land and the dedication of local farmers.

For example, Montgomery County’s 30-year-old Agriculture Reserve has over 500 farms that contribute millions of dollars to the County’s economy. In Virginia, Loudoun and Fauquier Counties are among the Piedmont communities with vibrant farms and vineyards and over 300,000 acres of land protected by donated conservation easements, most arranged by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). These agricultural areas are a natural and essential part of our region:

Local Food Creates Vibrant Communities – Buying local food helps keep dollars in your community, creating a strong, local economy. Farmers’ markets are great community gathering spots adding to the vibrancy of our urban and suburban neighborhoods.
Local Food is Good for the Environment –Preserving some of our region’s land for agricultural use means that some of our food may travel a very short distance to us, reducing the amount of fossil fuel required to transport it and the associated air pollution.
Local Food Supports Farmers – Buying local food also supports farmers who will continue to thrive and serve the community with your support.

Bringing Local Food to All of Our Communities

In some parts of the D.C region, healthy food is difficult to find. The report When Healthy Food is Out of Reach found that grocery stores are distributed very unevenly across the District, which can make it difficult for some residents to find fresh, healthy food.

Ward 3 has one grocery store for every 7,300 people, while Ward 8 – the Ward with the lowest average income – has one store for every 23,000 people. A lack of access to healthy food is often referred to as a food desert. D.C.'s food deserts can be seen using Greater Greater Washington’s interactive map.

Many people and organizations are working hard to address this challenge with community gardens and new farmers’ market locations. And, many farmers’ markets throughout the region accept food stamps and WIC (Women, Infants and Children). Some will even double your EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) dollars.

What You Can Do to Support Locally Grown Food

Shop at Local Farmers’ Markets

Numerous farmers’ markets dot the region. From Prince George’s, to D.C., to Loudoun, you can find a farmers’ market to suit your schedule. Many are open on weekdays and throughout the year (yes, even in winter!). Here are some great resources to help you find a market near you:

Washington Post interactive guide to the region’s farmers’ markets
FRESHFARM Markets
Local Harvest
There are a bunch of other independently run markets around the area. Be sure to check out the Washington Post guide to see where they are.

Pick Your Own or Buy Directly from a Producer

There are dozens of farms and orchards where you can pick your own produce or buy products directly:

Butler’s Orchard – Pick your own apples, pumpkins and raspberries in nearby Montgomery County.
NoVa Pick Your Own – A comprehensive list of pick-your-own farms in Northern Virginia.
Loudoun Valley Sheep Producers Association– Contact producers directly to buy locally-raised lamb and lamb products, including great yarn.
Buy Fresh Buy Local – Virginia – Find a farmers’ market, buy directly from a farmer or find a great U-Pick spot.
Buy Fresh Buy Local – Chesapeake Region
Loudoun Wine Trail – Vineyards are a fun way to support local agriculture. Be sure to check out Fabbioli Cellars -- and say hi to Doug, who has been a great supporter of our work.

Summary of Available Resources

Start an Urban Garden

Even in urban areas there are opportunities for growing your own veggies. You can start a garden in your own backyard or get a plot at a community garden.

Common Good City Farm– D.C.urban farm offering classes and workshops
The Slow Cook – A blog by local urban gardening expert, Ed Bruske
Southern Exposure Seed Company - A great source for local seeds. Plus, they give 30 percent of the cost of their Virginia Heritage Seed Sampler to support the Piedmont Environmental Council’s Buy Fresh Buy Local program
Montgomery Victory Gardens
Menu for the Future - Join a discussion circle and learn more about sustainable eating.

Purchase a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Share

A CSA allows members to purchase a share of a farmer's crop before it's planted. This way, the farmer pays for seed, water and equipment upfront without having to take out a loan. Each week during the harvest season, a portion of the crops are picked up or delivered to members so they can share in the fresh food. Here are some resources to help you find a CSA.

Montgomery Countryside Alliance – Find a CSA in Montgomery County
Local Harvest – Learn more about CSAs and find one near you.
DC Food – Includes info on where to find CSAs, farmers’ markets and co-ops throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Washington Post Guide – Every year the Washington Post publishes a list of CSAs throughout the region. This is from January 2010, but the list is still relevant.

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