{"id":5930,"date":"2013-07-25T19:00:13","date_gmt":"2013-07-25T23:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=5930"},"modified":"2013-07-25T10:43:18","modified_gmt":"2013-07-25T14:43:18","slug":"governor-and-first-lady-omalley-host-sixth-annual-buy-local-cookout-governor-celebrates-buy-local-challenge-week-july-20-28-with-cookout-featuring-local-products-local-rec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2013\/07\/25\/governor-and-first-lady-omalley-host-sixth-annual-buy-local-cookout-governor-celebrates-buy-local-challenge-week-july-20-28-with-cookout-featuring-local-products-local-rec\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor and First Lady O\u2019Malley Host Sixth Annual Buy Local Cookout; Governor Celebrates \u201cBuy Local Challenge\u201d Week July 20-28 with cookout featuring local products, local recipes, local chefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2013 Governor Martin O\u2019Malley and First Lady Katie O\u2019Malley hosted the sixth annual Buy Local Cookout at Government House this evening and officially recognized Maryland\u2019s Buy Local Challenge Week, which encourages Marylanders to incorporate at least one locally grown, produced or harvested product into their meals each day. Governor O\u2019Malley designated July 20-28 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuying locally is key to ensuring a smart, green and growing future for Maryland families. It preserves farmland, protects the environment, bolsters local economies, and provides wholesome, nutritious, great-tasting fresh food,\u201d said Governor O\u2019Malley. \u201cKatie and I challenge our fellow Marylanders to find local farmers markets and purchase locally grown products for their favorite dishes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Buy Local Challenge, created in 2006 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, has grown into a statewide initiative that has continued to grow. In its 2010 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday, there are 144 farmers\u2019 markets in Maryland and more demand for local products than ever before,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. \u201cWe are working hard to connect local producers with local consumers, and we invite everyone to check our searchable database at www.marylandsbest.net to find the local products and markets near them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In March, Governor O\u2019Malley invited teams of chefs and at least one farmer, waterman or producer to submit recipes featuring locally grown, raised or harvested ingredients. Of the 25 recipes submitted by chef\/producer teams, 14 were selected for the cookout based on their creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients. Government House chefs will provide two additional dishes for the cookout.<\/span><\/p>\n

All recipe submissions have been compiled and published in the 2013 Buy Local Cookout Recipes, which includes wine paring recommendations from the Maryland Wineries Association. The cookbook is available online here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the selected chefs and producers, several enterprises donated products for the cookout, including Honest Tea, Roseda Farm, Firefly Farms, and Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company. Also, Maryland Wineries Association, Amber Fields Malting and Brewing, Monocacy Brewing Company and Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farms donated or provided samples of beverages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five creameries on Maryland\u2019s Best Ice Cream Trail also donated ice cream, including Prigel Family Creamery (Baltimore County), Kilby Cream (Cecil County), Keyes Creamery (Harford County), South Mountain Creamery (Frederick County), and Misty Meadows Farm Creamery (Washington County).<\/span><\/p>\n

Attendance at the cookout is by invitation only. The guest list includes agricultural leaders, producers, chefs, buyers from groceries, restaurants and institutions; and \u201cbuy local\u201d advocates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recipes featured at the cookout are below. View them by county<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Appetizer: English Pea Toast with Pickled Ramps<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n