PEC Expands Buy Fresh/Buy Local Into Loudoun County

Local Guide Mailed

(Leesburg, VA - July 28, 2008) The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce that its Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign has been expanded into Loudoun County for the 2008 season. In Loudoun County PEC is partnering with the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, businesses and local organizations to help customers identify and purchase local foods while dining and shopping at restaurants and markets. A guide is being mailed to every household in Loudoun County.

"Last year's program in the Albemarle region was a great success on all accounts," said Melissa Wiley, Director of Special Projects for the PEC. "85% of farmers listed in the guide reported that their sales increased over the past year and that customers routinely mentioned using the guide a resource for finding local foods. We are excited about this progress and our expansion of the program into Loudoun County as well." Earlier this year PEC expanded the program into the Northern Piedmont to include Fauquier, Culpeper, Orange, Rappahannock and Madison Counties.

"The variety of food and wine produced right here is Loudoun County is remarkable," said Michael Kane, Land Conservation Officer for PEC in Loudoun County. "My hope is that the Loudoun Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign will encourage more residents to explore the County's bounty. Aside from experiencing tasty food and wine, buying local supports the local farmers that are the foundation of the County's rural economy."

According to Matt Benson of Virginia Cooperative Extension there is a critical economic impact from increasing the amount of local food purchased in the area. "If each household in Loudoun County spent $10 per week on locally produced foods and farm products, it would generate $48.5 million annual dollars of direct economic impact to the region's economy, farms, families and communities!"

Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life. By buying local foods you will:

- Strengthen Your Local Economy

- Support Endangered Family Farms

- Safeguard Your Families Health

For more information, residents are encouraged to visit the Buy Fresh Buy Local website.