Gov. Jack Markell (D) is touting the contribution agriculture makes to the First State in his weekly message.
Agriculture is the state’s leading industry, which makes up $8 billion of Delaware’s economy each year.
Monday kicks off Local Produce Week – a campaign to bring awareness about fruits and vegetables grown down the road or a short drive away.
Markell says buying local sets of a positive ripple effect throughout the state.
“Purchasing locally produced fruits and vegetables and participating in community gardens will help our families grow healthy and strong, ensure that our farmers continue to thrive and grow the state’s economy,” he said.
Markell notes the expansion of community gardens in the state is a wonderful way to foster civic engagement and help boost nutrition in families who need it most.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM58cp91fQ0&feature=youtu.be
Find the full text of Gov. Jack Markell's weekly message below:
From poultry and livestock, to fruits and vegetables, to soybeans and other crops, Delaware’s agricultural community is as vibrant as ever.
It’s our largest industry, injecting more than $8 billion into our economy annually, and our farmers lead the nation in the value of their products per acre.
Our farmers’ markets surpassed $3 million in sales last year, every Delaware public school district buys directly from local farmers, and our family farmers are finding new markets by selling to local supermarkets who recognize the value in selling their products.
The nutritional benefits of locally grown products are incredible; eating local reduces the environmental impact from shipping produce across the country and promotes a safer food supply; and starting Monday, we’ll celebrate Buy Local week, which brings attention to opportunities to purchase fruits and vegetables from local farmers.
So visit a nearby farmers market and ask your grocer to point out locally-grown products you can buy for your family. Agriculture in Delaware isn’t just for family farmers.
In recent years there’s been an amazing increase in community gardens all across our state, in rural areas, suburban communities, and particularly in our towns and cities, from just a handful eight years ago to more than 70 today.
Community gardens increase access to healthy foods - fresh, local produce grown right here. Community gardens allow communities and neighborhoods to come together and have an amazing experience growing for the greater good.
We’ll keep making this a priority, having just announced grants to 11 urban community gardens to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in their communities.
Purchasing locally-produced fruits and vegetables and the community garden movement will help our families grow healthy and strong, ensuring that our farmers continue to thrive, and grow the state’s economy. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.
