Unique Gift Ideas that are both Delicious and Support Our Local Economy

Looking for a last minute gift idea? This holiday season, consider your Maryland agriculture options when purchasing gifts.  Maryland farmers and specialty food and beverage producers offer a wide range of items to enjoy.  Options could include a wine, local cheese, fresh meats, yarn, plants, CSA memberships and more.  For a gift that keeps on giving, why not give a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership.  A year’s share offers months of weekly produce from a Maryland farm. Other local gift ideas involve putting together a gift basket of fresh produce from farmer’s markets or purchasing enrollment to a local cheese making class. 

Maryland Food Bank is offering a new way to give to those in need this year. Through their Farm to Food Bank Program, gift givers can purchase fresh produce that is grown in Maryland and then distributed through the Food Bank. Currently, there are 51 farms participating in the program. To donate visit http www.mdfoodbank.org

“Maryland farmers offer a full range of delicious products that will brighten anyone’s holiday,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “Buying locally grown and produced food is not only a unique gift idea, but also helps to support our family farmers and local economy.”

According to the most recent agricultural census completed in 2007 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 12,549 farms marketing products through CSA programs in the United States and 161 in Maryland.  In addition, in the United States there were 78,418 farms producing and selling value-added products, with 683 in Maryland.

To find Maryland agriculture products to give as gifts, visit the “Find Me Local” section of www.marylandsbest.net.  The web site, which is serviced by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Office of Marketing, lists numerous Maryland farmers and specialty food and beverage producers.  Also check out the video profile of Talbot County’s Chapel Creamery, one of the state’s best producers of artisanal cheeses.