ALBEMARLE/ CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville City Market Corner of First St. and Water St., Downtown Charlottesville Contact: Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy (434) 970 · 3371 [email protected]www.charlottesvillecitymarket.com April – October, Saturdays 7 AM-12 PM Holiday Market November 29 – December 20, Saturdays 8 AM-1 PM Crozet Farmers Market Parking lot of Crozet United Methodist Church Contact: Al Minutolo (434) 823 · 1092 [email protected]May 3 – October 18, Saturdays 8 AM-12 PM Earlysville Farmers Market 4167 Earlysville Road Buck Mtn Episcopal Church in Parish Hall Parking Lot Earlysville Contact: Wendy Russo (434) 996 · 8313; (434) 978 · 2058 [email protected]earlysvillefarmersmarket.wordpress.com May 1 - Mid October, Thursdays, 4- 7 PM Farmers in the Park Meade Park on Meade Avenue Charlottesville Contact: Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy (434) 970 · 3371 www.charlottesvillecitymarket.com May - September, Wednesdays from 3 -7 PM 8 TH A NNUAL S E P TEM BER 1 2-1 3, 2 0 1 4 www.HeritageHarvest Festival.com Joe Lamp’l • Barry Glick • Rosalind Creasy Ira Wallce • Peter Hatch FEATURED SPEAKERS Forest Lakes Farmers Market South Recreational Facility in Forest Lakes on Ashwood Blvd (off of Route 29 North) Charlottesville Contact: Alisa Wildman [email protected]Mid April - October, Tuesdays 4 - 7 PM Scottsville Farmers Market 125 Fleet Street, Scottsville Pavilion Scottsville Contact: Tanya Cornwell (434) 286 · 4994 [email protected]www.scottsvillefarmersmarket.org April 19 - October 25, Saturdays 8:30 AM-12:30 PM FLUVANNA Fluvanna Farmers Market 1735 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy Pleasant Grove Park Palmyra Contact: John Thompson (434) 591 · 1950 [email protected]www.fluvannafarmersmarket.web.com April - October, Tuesdays 2-6 PM GREENE Greene County Farmers Market Greene County Technical Education Center, Route 33, Stanardsville Contact: Bob Burkholder (434) 882 · 1324 [email protected]www.vgreene.com June 21 – September 20, Saturdays 8-11 AM LOUISA Town of Louisa Farmers Market 213 E Main Street, Louisa Contact: Mark Bailey [email protected](540) 967 · 1400 Saturdays, Memorial Day–Labor Day Mineral Farmers Market In the large field across from the Mineral Town Park on Louisa Avenue Mineral Contact: Becky Vigon (540) 854 · 7626 [email protected]www.MineralMarket.org May 3-October 25, Saturdays 8 AM-1 PM , Rain or Shine NELSON Nelson Farmers Market-Nellysford Route 151, under the big white tent Downtown Nellysford Contact: Bo Holland (434) 244 · 2399 nelsonfarmersmarketmanager@ gmail.com www.nelsonfarmersmarket.com April 12-October, Saturdays 8 AM-12 PM Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 57 Warrenton, VA Post Office Box 460 • Warrenton, VA 20188 www.pecva.org Find Local Food, Join the Conversation www.facebook.com/BuyFreshBuyLocal.PEC Regional Events Loudoun Spring Farm Tour Loudoun County, VA, May 17-18 Edible Fest Orange, VA, August 9 Loudoun’s Main Street Agriculture Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, Loudoun, VA, August 10 Epicurience Virginia Leesburg, VA, August 29-September 1 Taste of the Mountains Madison, VA, August 30 Heritage Harvest Festival Charlottesville, VA, September 12-13 Virginia State Fair Doswell, VA, September 26- October 5 Fall Fiber Festival Montpelier, VA, October 4-5 Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour Culpeper County, VA, October 4-5 Fauquier County Farm Tour Fauquier County, VA, October 12 Taste of Culpeper Culpeper, VA, October 12 Visit www.pecva.org/eventsto check for events throughout the season! CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA FRESH FOODS FROM LOCAL FAMILY FARMS FARMERS MARKETS ALBEMARLE, FLUVANNA, GREENE, LOUISA & NELSON COUNTIES 2014 FOOD GUIDE Photo by Cindy DeVore
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ALBEMARLE/CHARLOTTESVILLE
Charlottesville City MarketCorner of First St. and Water St., Downtown Charlottesville
Sells on-site by appt. (phone or email), free Charlottesville area delivery. Credit cards accepted.USDA-Certified Grass-Fed Beef by Half, Quarter and Individual Cuts
Sells at numerous independent stores and three major grocery chains. Contact us for more info Produce Grown Year Round: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Sweet & Hot Peppers, Herbs, Ginger, Eggs, Salsa, Hummus & Habanero Jams
Free Union Grass Farm3567 Ballards Mill RoadFree Union
Sells on-site Wed & Fri 1-6 pm, Farmer’s in the Park Market, full list of local retailers/food purveyors can be found on websitePastured Chicken & Duck, Grass-Fed Beef, Free-Range Eggs, Forest-Fed Pork
Free Union Produce Gourmet Edibles1813 Old Orchard RoadFree Union
Sells at Charlottesville City Market on-site by appointment by special order. VDACS inspected kitchen.Organically Grown Seasonal Produce, Artisanal Bread, Pestos, Seasonal Jams Chutneys Granola, Key Lime Pie, Scones, Chutney
The Market at Grelen1511 Yager RoadSomerset
Dan Gregg(540) 672 · 7268info@themarketatgrelen.comwww.themarketatgrelen.comwww.facebook.com/MarketatGrelen
On-site: check website for hours of operation and in-season fruit and vegetablesPYO: Blackberries, Raspberries (Red/Yellow/Black), Blueberries. Pre-Picked: Peaches, Pears, Apples, Mushrooms, Honey!
Farm Stand at East Gate of Foxfield every Thurs afternoon April 1 – Thanksgiving Seasonal Produce, Free Range Eggs, Herbs, Flowers, Specialty Foods, Flower and Vegetable Plants, Hanging Baskets and Patio Pots
Sells on-site (call or email for information), Charlottesville City Market, local restaurants, CSAGrains, Dry Beans, Ginger, Hops, Garlic, Spring-Raised Trout
Sweet Seasons FarmP.O. Box 194Batesville
Mark & Sally Tueting(540) 456 · [email protected] Beef & Lamb, Pastured Pork, Sausage & Hamburger Shares, Hay
Nelson Farmers Market, Forest Lakes Farmers Market, Deliveries to Drop Locations USDA Inspected Grass-Fed and Finished Beef; Pastured Chicken, Turkeys, Pork and Eggs
Sells through biweekly share pickups and open-market sales at Charlottesville City Market. Delivery also available. Register on website.No Hormones, No Antibiotics Catfish, Freshwater Shrimp and Rainbow Trout
Cheese & Dairy
Specialty Products
Poultry U-Pick
Meat Produce
Seafood
COCO COC
O CountrysideOrganics
Certified Organic, Soy-Free Feeds • Animal Health Products • OMRI Approved Gardening and Farming Products • 801 2nd Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980
888-699-7088 • www.countrysideorganics.com
The Healthiest Choice is Organic.Local Organic is Even Better.Soy-Free, Certified Organic Feeds. Great products for organic farming and gardening. Regular delivery runs within 130 miles of Waynesboro, VA. Online ordering. Helpful phone service. Ask questions. Go Organic. We are here to help.
Sells on-site by appt, at Charlottesville City Market, Relay Foods, Greenwood Gourmet, Rebecca’s Natural Foods, Yoder’s County Market, Specialty Grocers (see website)Grass-Fed, Natural Beef Year Round, No Antibiotics or Growth Hormones, No Grain, Hay grown without Chemicals
LOUISA
Forrest Green Farm2317 Evergreen RoadLouisa
Krista & Rob Rahm(540) 967 · 1165www.forrestgreenfarm.com
Sells on-site (Thurs-Sun 9-5 pm), Fall Line Farms Co-op, Local Roots & Retail Stores (see specific stores on website)Culinary/Medicinal Herbs, Vegetable & Flower Plants, Dried Herbal Teas, Dips, Seasonings, Pastured Eggs, Poultry, Grass-Fed Beef, Winter CSA
Sell On-Site, Mineral Farmers Market, Online from website Grass-Fed Beef, Pasture-Raised Chicken & Eggs
PatchWork Farms, LLCP.O. Box 53Bumpass
Paula & Ed Fensom(540) 872 · 1465www.patchworkfarmsva.comHeritage Breed Beef, Pork, Lamb, Poultry; Eggs, Vegetables, Fruit, Honey, Prepared Foods, Natural Body Care and Pet Care
Sells at Nellysford Farmers Market, On-Site by appointmentSeasonal Produce, Flowers, Fresh and Dried Culinary and Medicinal Herbs, Wildcrafted Mushrooms, Berries
Sells On-Site, call ahead; Delivery Available; Also at Nelson and Crozet Farmers MarketsSeasonal Produce (peaches, squash, sweet corn, potatoes), Eggs, Chickens
Nelson County Farmers Market, Elderberry in Cville, Sells On-Site by appointmentMedicinal Herbs, Produce, Culinary Herbs
Farmstead Ferments and New Moon NaturalsFarmstead Ferments and New Moon Naturals
Photo by Paula Com
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by Paula Combs
Sitting less than 100 yards from gardens and a variety of fruit trees on a farm in Charlottesville, I met with Dawn Story,
founder of New Moon Naturals and Farmstead Ferments. Story tells me that she grew up in the Virginia Piedmont, and she was raised by a family who appreciated nature and a healthy diet.
“I’ve always been drawn to plants, and I started to learn about their properties and health benefits from a young age,” explains Story.
In 1998, as a trained herbalist, Story founded New Moon Naturals, which sells herbal medicines, teas and elixirs. She sources as much locally as possible, and she collaborates with local partners such as Sharondale Farm, located 12 miles outside of Charlottesville. Sharondale Farm provides mushrooms that Story blends with herbs and spices to create Reishi Mushroom Tea.
While managing New Moon Naturals and conducting herbal health consultations, Story decided that overall diet should have more of an emphasis in her efforts, so she began to focus on the fermentation of foods.
What started as a small venture at farmers’ markets, quickly blossomed into Farmstead Ferments, which took off in 2010. Now, Story
provides customers with live and raw, naturally-fermented foods and beverages such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled vegetables, water kefir sodas and kombucha cultures, which are created with sustainably-grown, fresh ingredients from local farms.
“Fermented foods are an ancient form of preservation, and they are probiotic and loaded with vitamins and enzymes, which help with your digestion and immunity,” says Story.
Story sources her ingredients from farmers who use techniques such as no or low spray, crop rotation, soil building and other regenerative agricultural practices. “From Madison to Richmond, we work with farms,” explains Story. “Sourcing our ingredients as close to home as possible preserves small family farms, contributes to our region’s food security, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and creates long-lasting and symbiotic relationships with folks we honor and trust.”
Both New Moon Naturals and Farmstead Ferments products are available at a variety of locations such as select Whole Foods stores, farmers’ markets and local grocery stores. They are also available through special orders.
FARMS
Little Hat Creek Farm163 Shaeffers Hollow LaneRoseland
Sells on-site, call for availability Nelson Farmers Markets, Local Food Hub Seasonal Produce, Strawberries, Blueberries, Market Lettuce and Greens Year Round
www.BuyLocalVirginia.org
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery2800 Berry Hill RoadNellysford
Sells to members weekly or bi-weekly—home or office delivery, pick-up locations in C’ville, Crozet and moreFruits & Vegetable Boxes; Meal Boxes; Pasture-Raised Beef, Chicken, Turkeys & Forest-Raised Pork; Eggs; Goat Cheese; Trout; Locally Made Foods
New Branch Farm1070 Bishop Hill RoadCharlottesville
Stephanie Meyers(434) 977 · 0155www.newbranchfarm.com3 Seasonal CSA’s; All Shares Delivered Weekly to Fifth Season Gardening in CvilleSeasonal Vegetables, Strawberries, Flowers, Potted Plants, Herbs.
Steadfast Farm1554 Taylors Gap RoadCharlottesville
Sells on-site (call or email for information), Charlottesville City Market, local restaurants, CSAGrains, Dry Beans, Ginger, Hops, Garlic, Spring-Raised Trout
LOUISA
Forrest Green Farm2317 Evergreen RoadLouisa
Krista & Rob Rahm(540) 967 · 1165www.forrestgreenfarm.com
Sells on-site (Thurs-Sun 9-5 pm), Fall Line Farms Co-op, Local Roots & Retail Stores (see specific stores on website)Culinary/Medicinal Herbs, Vegetable & Flower Plants, Dried Herbal Teas, Dips, Seasonings, Pastured Eggs, Poultry, Grass-Fed Beef, Winter CSA
NELSON
Little Hat Creek Farm163 Shaeffers Hollow LaneRoseland
Sells through CSA, On-Site, Farmers Markets (Charlottesville City Market, Meade Park, Nelson, Lexington)Seasonal Produce, Berries, Eggs, Culinary Herbs, Bedding Plants
Visit www.pecva.org/gardens for more information
Congratulations to our 2013 Community/School Garden
winners!
$500
Hillside Hawks Vegetable Garden, Loudoun
Belle Meade School Garden, Rappahannock
Urban Agriculture Collective of Charlottesville
$300
Earlysville Forest Community Garden,
Albemarle
Millwood Community Garden, Clarke
4H Fox’s Garden, Culpeper
Cheese & Dairy
Specialty Products
Poultry U-Pick
Meat Produce
Seafood
Harrison Keevil and his wife, Jennifer, opened Brookville in the summer of 2010 with a goal to provide patrons
with as many local ingredients as possible. Their menu proudly states, “The most locally sourced restaurant in Charlottesville, Va. All plates 90-99% sourced within 100 miles.”
As I sit with them at a charming wooden table adorned with mason jars, their 15-month-old daughter scampers around us giggling and pointing towards the pleasantly tall windows that overlook historic Main Street.
Keevil is the executive chef while Jennifer is the front of the house manager. “Our team really believes in what we’re doing,” said Keevil, proudly. The couple’s ultimate goal is for Brookville to become the most locally sourced restaurant in all of Virginia.
Their menu changes almost daily, and the recipes are inspired by what is new and fresh at the market. Jennifer explains, “In the summer, we tend to have a lot of vegetables; and in the winter, dishes can be more meat-centric.”
One of the summer favorites for customers is a “shortstack” of squash pancakes covered in maple syrup. “We take inspiration from Italy, France, Northern California—basically whatever I
want to cook and tastes good,” said Keevil. With every topic I address, Keevil’s deep
respect for farms and his desire to give back to the community is apparent. “Farmers do the hard work, and it’s my responsibility to not mess it up. It’s up to me to make their hard work shine through [the food].” When they’re unable to source locally, for such things as salt, the couple purchases the ingredients from small local purveyors in town, so the money still goes back into the community.
Keevil has recently teamed up with Jason Alley, co-owner and executive chef of Comfort and Pasture restaurants, to do experimental gardening on a 5,000 square foot plot of land on a farm in Manakin-Sabot, located between Richmond and Charlottesville.
Keevil still plans to source from his suppliers. He sees this project as a way to experiment with local produce such as old Virginia heritage seeds. “We’ll plant some things to see what works, and see what doesn’t work,” said Jennifer.
From regional markets and farms to experimental gardens, Brookville is strong and true in their efforts to provide fresh, quality local food to the Charlottesville community.
Brookville RestaurantBrookville Restaurant
Photo by Paula Com
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WHAT IS A CSA? A CSA is a farm that grows for a group of families. Members join before the season begins and receive a weekly basket of farm products.
U-Pick and on-site sales June-November; hours vary by season Country Store, April-December; Online year-round/while supplies lastU-Pick & Fresh-Picked Peaches and Apples, Apple Cider, Pumpkins, Bakery, Country Store, Wine Shop, School Tours
U-Pick, and On-Site Sales, April-November, hours vary by season
Sells on-site May through November, hours vary by season—visit website or callStrawberries, Sweet Cherries, Peaches, Apples, Nectarines, Pumpkins, Seasonal Vegetables, School Field Trips, U-Pick Available
Sells on-site (Daily 9 am-6 pm)Apples, Cider, Pumpkins, Over 65 Varieties of Jams, Butters & Pickles
Dickie Brothers Orchard2685 Dickie RoadRoseland
John Bruguiere(434) 277 · 5516www.dickiebros.com
Sells July 10-November 30 at Farm Stand; also at Nelson Farmers MarketU-Pick Available, Blackberries (July), Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apples, Pears, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkins and More!
Sells at local retail stores Sorbet Made with Whole Raw Fruit (Dairy, Gluten Free, Vegan) in BPA-free packaging
Planet Earth Diversified165 Earth Way DriveStanardsville
Michael Clark(434) 985 · 3570market@planetearthdiversified.comwww.planetearthdiversified.comSells at Cville City Market, Forest Lakes Farmers Markets, CSA, online, by phone, retailers, restaurants
LOUISA
Garden Medicinals and CulinariesP.O. Box 460Mineral
Sells On-Site Jan-April, M-F, 9 am-4:30 pm; May-Dec, M-F, 11 am-3 pm Medicinal and Culinary Herbs, Vegetables and Flowers
www.BuyLocalVirginia.org
NELSON
Barefoot BuchaAfton
Ethan and Kate Zuckerman(434) 760 · 3629www.barefootbucha.com
Available at grocers and restaurants throughout the Virginia. No sales/tours onsite.Artisanal kombucha in a reusable bottle. Flavors include Ginger, Classic, Elderflower Sunrise, Jasmine, more. Best tasting and most earth-friendly kombucha around.
Sells at Charlottesville City Market, Albemarle Baking Co. and a variety of local specialty food stores and vineyards. See website for details & ordering. Jam in 100 Flavors, Made with One Pound of Local Fruit in Every Jar (No Pectin Added)
Farmers Markets, Local Retailers, Special OrderDried Bulk Herbs, Herbal Teas, Medicines and Elixirs Featuring Locally Grown Herbs
~ We Support Our Rural Economy ~
ALBEMARLE COUNTY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
www.albemarle.org/business
ALBEMARLE COUNTYA Great Place for
Food Producers & Food Lovers!
ALBEMARLE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
www.albemarle.org/business
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DECApples
Asparagus
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Cucumbers
Grapes
Green Beans
Green Peppers
Greens/Spinach
Nectarines
Peaches
Pumpkins
Raspberries
Squash
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Tomatoes
Watermelons
FRUIT & VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY CALENDAR
In addition to the standard fruit and vegetables you see on this chart, Charlottesville area farmers and farmers markets offer an even broader variety of produce to pick from. Explore your farmers’ websites and other online sites to find recipes that might appeal to your family.
The Farm at Red Hill2400 Southside DriveNorth Garden
Sells at numerous independent stores and three major grocery chains. Contact us for more info Produce Grown Year Round: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Sweet & Hot Peppers, Herbs, Ginger, Eggs, Salsa, Hummus & Habanero Jams
Farmstead FermentsCharlottesville
Dawn Story(540) 718 · 3200info@farmsteadferments.comwww.farmsteadferments.comwww.facebook.com/FarmsteadFerments
Over 40 locations throughout Central Virginia, see website for full listingSeasonal Naturally-Fermented Foods and Beverages (Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Pickled Veggies, Kombucha Starters, Water Kefir Sodas, Kraut Juice and Starter Cultures)
Charlottesville City Market, Meade Park and Grove Street Farmers Markets Gourmet, Butter-Crust Fruit Pies, Quiches, Scones, Brioche and Granola using Fresh, Seasonal, Local Ingredients
THE MANY REASONS TO
BUY LOCAL!BUY LOCAL!BUY LOCAL!Buying local gives you freedom of choice for your family’s health and nutrition.
Locally grown & produced foods are exceptionally fresh, delicious and abundant.
Buying local protects the environment.
Buying local supports endangered family farms and strengthens the local economy.
Buying local protects open space and farmland.
RESTAURANTS CATERERS
Greenwood Gourmet Grocery6701 Rockfish Gap TurnpikeCrozet(540) 456 · 6431www.greenwoodgourmet.com
Harvest Moon Catering946 Grady Ave., Suite 17Charlottesville(434) 296 · 9091www.hmcatering.com
Ingrid Berger Personal Chef & Catering Service137 West Park DriveCharlottesville(434) 825 · 5116www.ingridcuisine.com
Simply-VA Personal Chef(434) 825 · 9510www.simply-va.com
Vinegar Hill Café & CateringJefferson School City Center233 Fourth Street NW(434) 245 · [email protected]
L’etoile817 W. Main StreetCharlottesville(434) 979 · 7957www.letoilerestaurant.com
The Local824 Hinton Ave.Charlottesville(434) 984 · 9749www.thelocal-cville.com
Mas Tapas Bar501 Monticello RoadCharlottesville(434) 979 · 0990www.mastapas.com
Maya633 West Main StreetCharlottesville(434) 979 · 6292www.maya-restaurant.com
by Jessica Palmer Serves 4
One of our favorite recipes to make with our fresh CSA eggs is a quick and easy frittata—it’s simple to throw together eggs and milk with whatever vegetables you have in the fridge. All of these ingredients can be found through your local farmers.
Orzo416 W. Main StreetCharlottesville(434) 975 · 6796www.orzokitchen.com
Petit Pois201 E Main StreetCharlottesville(434) 979 · 7647www.petitpoisrestaurant.com
Revolutionary Soup108 2nd Street SWCharlottesville(434) 296 · 7687www.revolutionarysoup.com
Ristorante Al Dente925 2nd Street SECharlottesville(434) 295 · 9922
The Shebeen Pub Braai247 Ridge McIntire RoadCharlottesville(434) 296 · 3185www.shebeen.com
3 ounces local cheese (i.e., goat chevre, grated cheddar)
• Preheat oven to 400.
• Whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes and mushrooms, cook for 10-15 minutes until browned. Carefully not to let them burn! Reduce the heat if needed.
• Sprinkle green onion and leafy greens over potato mixture, cover with lid to wilt the greens.
• Pour egg mixture evenly over vegetables, top with cheese, and place skillet in oven for 15 minutes.
www.BuyLocalVirgina.org
Search through these listings and more at our newly re-launched website
WELLNESS SPONSOR
Community Sponsor
Conservation Supporter
www.gm.com/gmfoundation
www.albemarle.org/business
www.farmcreditofvirginias.com
www.bluemountainbrewery.com
Legal and Regulated LabelsAnimal Welfare Approved: Audits and certifies family farms who raise their animal outdoors on pasture or range according to specific handling and welfare standards. Third party verified: www.animalwelfareapproved.org
Certified Humane: Certification and labeling program that requires the humane treatment of farm animals from birth through slaughter. Animals have ample space, shelter, gentle handling, fresh water and healthy diet. Crates, cages, and tie stalls are forbidden and animals must be free to do what come naturally.Third party verified www.certifiedhumane.org
Certified Naturally Grown: Private farmer-to-farmer certification program small-scale, direct-market farmers and beekeepers using natural and “beyond organic” methods. Third party verified www.naturallygrown.org
Free-Range/Free-Roaming Poultry: Producers must demonstrate that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside.USDA defined www.fsis.usda.gov
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Certified: An audit that focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. USDA defined www.ams.usda.gov
Grass Fed: 100% of diet of grass-fed animals consists of freshly grazed pasture during the growing season and stored grasses (hay or silage) during the winter months or drought conditions. No grain is fed throughout the animals’ lives. USDA defined www.ams.usda.gov
Natural: A product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed. USDA defined www.fsis.usda.gov
Naturally-Raised: Livestock used for the production of meat and meat products have been raised entirely without growth promotants, antibiotics, and have never been fed animal by-products. USDA defined www.ams.usda.gov
Organic: In general, organic production limits the use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other inputs. USDA defined www.fsis.usda.gov
USDA inspected: Implies that the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Agriculture Marketing Service have officially evaluated a meat product for class, grade, or other quality characteristics. USDA defined www.fsis.usda.gov
Market-driven Labels Cage-Free: Animals are not kept in battery cages.No legal or regulated definition
Grass Finished: Not to be confused with ‘grass fed’, this term implies that animals are fed grass and forage for an undefined period before going to slaughter, although they may have been given grains and other non-forage feed for a large part of their lives.No legal or regulated definition
Heritage Breed: A term applied to breeds of livestock that were bred over time so that they are well-adapted to local environmental conditions.No legal or regulated definition
Know where your food comes from:
Virginia Local Food Labels“Local” is a relative term defined locally by individual consumers and the local community. The word “Local” on a sign or label has neither a common nor legal definition in Virginia or nationally. Better to ask who is the farmer and where is the farm. What does local mean to you? Tell us on Facebook
Buy Fresh Buy Local: Buy Fresh Buy Local is a voluntary program where local food producers are able to market their business. While we are not able to audit each business, our understanding is that each BFBL partner is doing the most to offer consumers fresh, locally-grown products. As a consumer, remember to always ask if it’s local! Charlottesville Area Chapter: Agricultural products that are grown or raised within Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson.
Virginia Grown: Product must be grown in Virginia. Program administered by VA Department of AgricultureVisit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown
Virginia’s Finest: A VA Department of Agriculture administered trademark used for processed food products since 1989. To use this label a company must be headquartered in VA and have control over recipe, production, quality, labeling, marketing, and sale. The product ingredients are not required to be grown or raised in Virginia, and the product does not have to be processed in Virginia.Visit www.vafinest.com.
Free Union Produce and Edibles
Free Union Produce and Edibles
1. Work on a farm
2. Help farms find seasonal labor
3. Glean seconds or surplus crops from farm fields and use to create value-added products
4. Help farms develop their marketing strategies: product labeling, online presence, etc.
5. Assist farms in record-keeping and accounting
6. Open a local-only store
7. Help create infrastructure to process meat, dairy, or produce
8. Develop distribution routes and coordinate product delivery to restaurants and retailers
There are many opportunities to help build our local food system. Think about investing in or operating a local business.
Check out these suggestions:
Business Opportunities in our Local Food Economy
Labels Defined!
TO OBTAIN COPIES OR TO BE LISTED IN THIS GUIDE, please visit www.buylocalvirginia.org or call (434) 977·2033.
The developers of this guide do not have the capacity to independently verify all of the information presented here. Contributors to the guide are responsible for its content.
Printed on paper from sustainable forests.
Production Team: Paula Combs, Kristie Kendall, Don Loock, Tiffany Parker • Design: Keith Damiani, Sequoia Design
THIS GUIDE IS A PUBLICATION OF
Piedmont Environmental CouncilPiedmont Environmental Council
The Piedmont Environmental Council
works with citizens to keep Virginia’s
Piedmont a wonderful place—by
protecting beautiful and historic landscapes,
building great communities, promoting
local farms and food, restoring natural
resources, and connecting people with nature.
We are pleased to have helped citizens protect nearly 369,000
acres in our nine-county region with voluntary conservation
easements—one of the most dramatic private land conservation
success stories in America.
Check out our website if you want to:
` learn about local and sustainable farming
` protect land
` build wildlife habitat where you live—from butterfly gardens to vast preserves
` make your home more energy efficient
` browse community events that can help you live more sustainably—or just get outdoors
` get involved in the issues shaping your local community
PEC is a non-profit grassroots organization supported by people who care about the Piedmont.