FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2008

For More Information:
Robert Lazaro, PEC, Director of Communications
571.225.0198

PEC Expands Buy Fresh/Buy Local into Northern Piedmont Guide Mailed - New Web Site Launched

Kick-Off Event to Take Place on Saturday, May 10 in Marshall

(Warrenton, VA) The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign has been launched and expanded into the Northern Piedmont for the 2008 season.

Last year's inaugural program in the Albemarle/Charlottesville area, which helps link consumers with locally produced foods at farms, farmer's markets, retailers and restaurants, was a great success on all accounts. To build on the success of that program, residents of Fauquier County, Madison County, Culpeper County, Orange County and Rappahannock County will soon be receiving in their mailboxes during the second week of May a Buy Fresh/Buy Local Guide. PEC is also pleased to announce a new web site: www.buylocalvirginia.org which will provide residents across the region information on participating farms, merchants and restaurants.

"Last year's program 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 the Northern Piedmont as well."

For the Northern Piedmont region PEC is partnering with local County governments, the Fauquier Farm Bureau and the Virginia Cooperative Extension to help customers identify and purchase local foods while dining and shopping at restaurants and markets. Area businesses will be utilizing Fresh Buy Local marketing materials and signage to highlight locally grown products on shelves and menus.

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 the Northern Piedmont spent $10 per week on locally produced foods and farm products, it would generate $32.9 million annual dollars of direct economic impact to the region's economy, farms, families and communities!"

To help kick off the Buy Fresh/Buy Local program in the Northern Piedmont a "Meet the Farmer" event will take place on Saturday, May 10, at the Marshall IGA located at 8382 West Main Street in Marshall. The event will take place between the hours of 9AM and 1PM.

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

Counties and Cities of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Region

Culpeper County
$8,400,080

Fauquier County
$12,759,240

Madison County
$3,011,320

Orange County
$6,861,920

Rappahannock County
$1,857,440

Subtotal
$32,890,000

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension