Buy local to discover Maryland's 'authentic treasures'

BALTIMORE (July 10) –During the last week of July, participants in Maryland's annual Buy Local Challenge agree to eat at least one item from a Maryland farm each day. The Challenge promotes eating fresh, seasonal food from local sources – a practice that supports family farms and sustainable food production, according to the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the group that established this event five years ago. 

A "buy local" perspective also goes beyond eating fresh produce and other products from area farms, says the Maryland Office of Tourism.

"Buying local is investing in Maryland's signature products, attractions and events," says Margot Amelia, executive director of the tourism office. "Travelers can sample the best of Maryland and enjoy Maryland's authentic treasures with a multi-faceted 'buy local' approach."

She recommends dining on Chesapeake Bay seafood, selecting Maryland wine and beer, acquiring the work of local artists, and visiting places along the state's collection of Civil War trails, five wine trails (each featuring the wineries of a particular region) and a new ice-cream trail (includes seven dairy farms). 


Ideas for trips into Maryland's five regions with examples of events and attractions reflecting local flavor are below. Also, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has an online directory of farmers' markets in the state.

Western Maryland

• Artist Studio Tour of Garrett County, July 28-29, is an opportunity to meet 21 artists at seven locations and view their work: pottery, wood-work, fused glass, jewelry, handmade paper, recycled wood art and two-dimensional art (paintings and photography). Tour includes artist demonstrations. For more information, call or e-mail the Garrett County Arts Council, 301-334-6580.

• Mountain City Traditional Arts Center, Frostburg (Allegany County) – A showcase for local Appalachian art, the center has demonstrations, hand-crafted items for sale, artwork on display, classes and workshops, and occasional performances. It was established jointly by the Allegany Arts Council, Folklore & Folklife Programming at Frostburg State University, and the FrostburgFirst Main Street Program.

• Rinehart Orchards, Smithsburg (Washington County) – This 400-acre grower of apples and peaches has been in business 81 years, in a county known for its abundance of fruit orchards. Peach season begins in mid-July. Other summer produce includes nectarines, plums, watermelons, cantaloupe, corn and tomatoes.

Capital Region

• Frederick Wine Trail – Seven wineries and a combined 120 acres of vineyards along this trail represent more than half of Maryland's total wine production. (Four of the wineries are located near Mt. Airy.) The trail intersects myriad locations that have historical significance for the Civil War. Here are the wineries:Berrywine Plantations/ Linganore Winecellars, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, Distillery Lane Ciderworks, Elk Run Vineyards and Winery, Frederick Cellars, Loew Vineyards and Orchid Cellar. Black Ankle Vineyards is also in this area and Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard straddles Frederick and Montgomery counties. 

• Montgomery County's annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale, July 28-29 is a way to become familiar with the local products produced at 14 county locations, including farms, orchards, animal sanctuary, alpaca farm and a vineyard. The county also has 21 farmers' markets.

• Romano Vineyard and Winery, Brandywine (Prince George's County) – Since 1998, the Romano family has kept bees and produced honey under the Golden Leaf Farm label at their property in the southern part of the county. In 2007, the family transformed the farm – where tobacco and soybeans had grown – into a vineyard. They now cultivate six wine-grape varietals and craft wine that comes only from the grapes in their vineyard. Honey is still available in season.

• The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick (Frederick County) – The Gift Gallery here features the work of Delaplaine members: jewelry; wood, metal and paper items; paintings; ceramics; and fiber arts. Located in the 100-year-old Mountain City Mill along Carroll Creek, the center offers arts classes and presents more than 50 exhibits each year in eight galleries. Events also include lectures, films, workshops and art trips.

Central Maryland

• Howard County's third annual film Feastival, Tuesday evening, July 17 at Clark's Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, presents a screening of the documentary American Meat – a look at the industrial meat industry and the sustainable, local-food movement that has emerged in response to it. The evening also includes food samples from county restaurants that will participate in Farm-2-Restaurant Weeks, July 18 – Aug. 6. During that time, more than 20
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