Maryland recently published revised proposed rules regulating the advertising of "local" foods in the Maryland Register for public comment.
The regulations were drafted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) as part of a 2010 state law that seeks to bring clarity to consumers as to what constitutes "local". After reviewing initial comments, MDA has redrafted the regulations.
According to MDA, food products are adverted as 'local', the proposed regulations will require businesses to disclose the product's origin.
The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms "local" or "locally grown" when used to advertise agricultural and seafood products. It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases.
The law was drafted in response to increased interest in locally produced foods. Local food trends have led to the rapid growth of farmer's markets, as well as demand for local products in restaurants and grocery stores. Despite the popularity, there has been little agreement as to the definition of "local" foods.
Input for the proposal originated from a task force of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders.
The redrafted regulations require businesses that advertise raw meat, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, shellfish and processed dairy products as local or being locally grown, regionally grown or produced, or otherwise represented as having originated close by, must have point-of-sale signage indicating the state of its origin.
A "Frequently Asked Questions" document is available online at: http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/buylocalfaq.pdf
The Maryland Register entry can be viewed at:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDRegister/mdregister.aspx
source: MDA press release
Showing posts with label produce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label produce. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Maryland Law Defines Local Produce and Seafood
Proposed rules regulating the advertising of "local" foods have been published in the Maryland Register and are available for public comment. The regulations were drafted by MDA as part of a new Maryland law which seeks to bring clarity to consumers as to what constitutes local.
The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms "local" or "locally grown" when used to advertise agricultural and seafood products. It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases.
In recent years, interest in locally produced foods has surged, leading to the rapid growth of farmer's markets, and the appearance of Maryland products in restaurants and grocery stores. However, there has been little agreement as to the definition of "local" foods. A task force of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders provided input for the proposal.
The 2010 Policy Choices Survey by the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 78 percent of Marylanders are more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.
The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms "local" or "locally grown" when used to advertise agricultural and seafood products. It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases.
In recent years, interest in locally produced foods has surged, leading to the rapid growth of farmer's markets, and the appearance of Maryland products in restaurants and grocery stores. However, there has been little agreement as to the definition of "local" foods. A task force of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders provided input for the proposal.
The 2010 Policy Choices Survey by the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 78 percent of Marylanders are more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Maryland Farmers' Markets
Maryland farmers grow top quality turnip greens, cabbage, strawberries, asparagus, blueberries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, peppers, string beans, lima beans, watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, squash, pumpkins, and other fruits and vegetables.
Visiting a farmers' market is also a great way to find garden plants for the upcoming season. Independent growers usually offer high quality plants including tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions, and other vegetables.
Herbs for planting include chives, parsley, cilantro, sage, thyme, oregano, and more. Farmers' market vendors also sell house plants, annual and perennial flowers, shrubs and vines to beautify homes and yards.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, Maryland farmer's markets sometimes offer meat, seafood, dairy products and other items. Depending on the location, you may find grass fed beef, local pork, live chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep, lamb, fresh eggs, cheeses, honey, fish, Chesapeake Bay oysters, blue crabs, quahog clams, shrimp, and more.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dishing Up Maryland Cookbook
A first-of-its-kind cookbook featuring local Maryland products, the farmers and watermen that grow and harvest them, and the chefs who prepare the recipes is being released on March 24, 2010 in Annapolis.
This new book captures the unique and delectable cuisine of Maryland with "150 recipes from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake Bay.” Dishing Up Maryland is authored by award-winning Maryland writer Lucie Snodgrass.
Stunning photography by Edwin Remsberg, himself a Maryland farmer, provides the visual counterparts to stories of the farm families and chefs featured in the book. John Shields, renowned chef who embodies the buy local effort, provides an insightful foreword to the book.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Maryland's Best program to promote the purchase of locally grown and raised products for the benefit of the State's farmers, watermen and related businesses. The book is published by Storey Publishing.
This new book captures the unique and delectable cuisine of Maryland with "150 recipes from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake Bay.” Dishing Up Maryland is authored by award-winning Maryland writer Lucie Snodgrass.
Stunning photography by Edwin Remsberg, himself a Maryland farmer, provides the visual counterparts to stories of the farm families and chefs featured in the book. John Shields, renowned chef who embodies the buy local effort, provides an insightful foreword to the book.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Maryland's Best program to promote the purchase of locally grown and raised products for the benefit of the State's farmers, watermen and related businesses. The book is published by Storey Publishing.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Maryland Farmers Markets - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Farms occupy one-third of Maryland's land. Farming 2 million acres, farmers produce 33.5 million pounds of apples, 3.5 million tons of peaches and 1.6 billion pounds of chicken. Maryland farms also produce corn, wheat, soybeans, nursery products, maple syrup, hay, fresh market vegetables, livestock, dairy products and other goods.
Visiting a Maryland farmers market is an excellent way to shop for fruits, vegetables, produce, herbs, flowers, garden plants, seafood, meats, cheeses, poultry and other local products.
Visiting a Maryland farmers market is an excellent way to shop for fruits, vegetables, produce, herbs, flowers, garden plants, seafood, meats, cheeses, poultry and other local products.
Maryland Celebrates National Agriculture Week - March 14-20, 2010
Recognizing that agriculture is one of Maryland’s most important industries, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is celebrating National Agriculture Week March 14-20, 2010.
One-third of Maryland’s land is in farms. On those 2 million acres, farmers produce 33.5 million pounds of apples, 1.6 billion pounds of chicken, and 3.5 million tons of peaches among many other food products for citizens to eat.
“Maryland’s agriculture industry is vital to the long-term health of the state’s economy, environment and quality of life.Agriculture week is a great time to recognize the hard work of our farm families and the important role they play in providing a safe and abundant food supply and protecting the environment,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.
One-third of Maryland’s land is in farms. On those 2 million acres, farmers produce 33.5 million pounds of apples, 1.6 billion pounds of chicken, and 3.5 million tons of peaches among many other food products for citizens to eat.
“Maryland’s agriculture industry is vital to the long-term health of the state’s economy, environment and quality of life.Agriculture week is a great time to recognize the hard work of our farm families and the important role they play in providing a safe and abundant food supply and protecting the environment,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.
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