{"id":21343,"date":"2017-07-20T18:00:42","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T22:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=21343"},"modified":"2017-07-20T10:45:17","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T14:45:17","slug":"governor-larry-hogan-and-first-lady-yumi-hogan-host-10th-annual-buy-local-cookout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2017\/07\/20\/governor-larry-hogan-and-first-lady-yumi-hogan-host-10th-annual-buy-local-cookout\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan Host 10th Annual Buy Local Cookout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Event celebrates \u201cBuy Local Challenge Week\u201d by featuring local products, recipes, chefs <\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD <\/strong>\u2013 Governor\u00a0Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan hosted the 10th<\/sup> annual Buy Local Cookout at Government House this evening and officially recognized Maryland\u2019s \u201cBuy Local Challenge Week,\u201d which encourages Marylanders to incorporate at least one locally grown, produced, or harvested product into their meals each day. Governor Hogan officially declared July 22-30 as \u201cBuy Local Challenge Week\u201d to raise awareness about the benefits of local farms and food so that Marylanders will become more familiar and more frequent consumers of fresh, local products.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Buy Local Cookout is a great opportunity to showcase Maryland\u2019s culinary culture while supporting our local farmers and producers,\u201d said Governor Hogan. \u201cMany businesses\u2014from grocery store chains, to distributors, and restaurants\u2014rely on the fresh, nutritious food grown right here in Maryland, and that relationship helps keep our agricultural industry strong, diverse, and sustainable. I thank all of the talented chefs who submitted recipes for this year\u2019s event.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Buy Local Challenge, created in 2006 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission<\/a>, has grown into a statewide initiative that has continued to grow. In its 2012 Policy Choices Survey, the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that more than 78 percent of Marylanders said they want to buy produce grown by a Maryland farmer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs demand for local products continues to grow, Maryland is now home to more than 140 farmers markets,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cWe are committed to connecting local consumers with local producers, and I encourage all Marylanders to check our searchable database at MarylandsBest.net<\/a> to find local products and markets near them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Governor Hogan invited teams of chefs and producers to submit original recipes that highlight the diversity of local products. Some 45 recipes were submitted, with 20 selected. First Lady Yumi Hogan and Government House chefs provided an entr\u00e9e and dessert for the cookout. This year also featured recipes by student chefs from Annapolis High School, Northeast High School, Anne Arundel Community College, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore at the Universities at Shady Grove.<\/p>\n

All recipe submissions have been compiled and published in the 2017 Buy Local Cookout Recipes<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>which includes wine, beer or spirits pairing recommendations. This year\u2019s cookbook and all previous cookbooks are available for free on the department\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to those contributing to the recipes featured at the cookout, the Brewers Association of Maryland<\/a>, \u00a0George\u2019s Mixes<\/a>, Honest Tea<\/a>, Greenstreet Gardens<\/a>, Maryland Distillers Guild<\/a>, Maryland Wineries Association<\/a> and three of the nine dairy farms on Maryland\u2019s Best Ice Cream Trail<\/a> \u2013 Keyes Creamery<\/a>, Kilby Cream<\/a>, and Prigel Family Creamery<\/a> \u2013also provided products for the event. Musical entertainment was provided by The Geckos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Agriculture contributes $8.25 billion annually and 45,600 jobs to our state\u2019s economy every year, according to a University of Maryland Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics 2013 report.<\/p>\n

Attendees included agricultural leaders, producers, chefs, buyers from groceries, restaurants and institutions, and legislators.<\/p>\n