Appalachian Sustainable Development Seeks Farm Listings for 2022-2023 online Local Food Guide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/01/2022
Contact: Lindsey Felty
Outreach Manager
lfelty@asdevelop.org
276-623-1121
Duffield, VA, 03/01/2022 – Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is inviting farmers and food producers in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia to submit their FREE listing (also referred to as ‘registration’) for the 2022-2023 online Local Food Guide here: https://asdevelop.org/local-food-guide/. Please email Lindsey Felty at: lfelty@asdevelop.org with questions.
Since 2006, ASD has been creating the Local Food Guide to connect consumers with the local and regional farmers growing and raising their food. A resource that helps build a vibrant local food economy, the free guide was originally printed and distributed throughout the TriCities and went to the online format in 2020 due in part to COVID-19. The Online Local Food Guide is a handy resource that lists local and regional farms, products that are being grown and raised in the region, farmers market locations and hours, breweries, wineries, restaurants and more.
ASD’s Local Food Guide provide a unique value to farmers and vendors listed in it as well as to consumers seeking to support local. Farmers benefit from the exposure and promotion that encourages consumers to make a personal connection with their food and the farmers that grow it. Ultimately farmers should see additional income streams from people buying their goods. Consumers and communities benefit because they have increased access to healthy, local food. They know where local foods are available, how to cook fresh, delicious products and where they can connect with others that are interested in supporting local (tastings, cooking demos, workshops, agritourism, events, etc). Restaurants and retailers also benefit by increased brand exposure through being included in a free resource that promotes Central Appalachian agriculture products.
Lindsey Felty, ASD Outreach Manager explains, “ASD’s Local Food Guide is a handy resource for consumers who are interested in finding and supporting local farmers, food producers and businesses. I always tell farmers to add their free listings. Whether they want folks coming to their farms for tours or they want people to find them at a farmers market, it’s easy to do. It’s also a great place for wineries, businesses, restaurants and more to add their listings. When people know what’s available locally, they can help local economies. Buying local is always smart. A dollar spent locally multiplies its value each time it’s spent in the local economy.”
About Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD)
Living Better. Locally. It’s what drives ASD’s commitment to propel its mission to build a thriving regional food and agriculture system that creates healthy communities, respects the planet, and cultivates profitable opportunities for Appalachians. Since 1995, ASD has been working in Central Appalachia, providing hope, and making a difference for the people who call the region home. What began as opportunities for struggling tobacco farmers to grow fruits and vegetables have become lasting solutions to regional challenges that impact economic development, workforce development, food access, health, and wellness. Over the years, ASD has expanded its reach from northeast TN and southwest VA to include partners in WV, OH and KY, enabling the organization to bring resources back to the region. For more information, visit: https://asdevelop.org.
