FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/23/2017 Contact: Lindsey Keen, Farmers Market Promotion Coordinator 276-623-1121 lkeene@asdevelop.org
Appalachian Sustainable Development support local farmers and impacts economies with Rooted in Appalachia promotions in 2017
Abingdon, VA, 05/23/17 – To create additional jobs in agriculture and meet customer demand for local food, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) launches 2017 Rooted in Appalachia promotions with the aim of connecting consumers with the farmers growing and raising their food and to continue to build a vibrant local food economy.
Lindsey Keen, ASD Farmers Market Promotion Coordinator explains, “There are a number of ways people can be part of building a vibrant local food economy and support Rooted in Appalachia’s message – ‘Grown and Served Locally’. You can: Make a good faith effort to purchase locally grown foods year-round; Grow your own food; Ask “what’s local” wherever you shop; Support local farmers and farmers markets; Participate in efforts to promote local foods in your community like farmers market demonstrations; and Choose local beers and/or wines. Buying local is always smart. A dollar spent locally multiplies its value each time it’s spent in the local economy.”
Rooted in Appalachia is a consumer campaign that seeks to benefit farmers, consumers, restaurants, retailers and the communities where they are.
Some benefits:
Farmers benefit from a unified, local food marketing campaign that encourages consumers to make a personal connection with their food and the farmers that grew it.
Consumers and communities benefit because they will have increased access to healthy, local food. They will 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 foods (tastings, cooking demos, workshops, restaurant events, road shows, etc).
Restaurants and retailers also benefit from a unified marketing campaign and the opportunity to connect with farmers that can grow fresh and delicious local foods for them.
Rooted in Appalachia events and promotions will be happening in many communities in the coming months. To learn more about Rooted in Appalachia, email: lkeen@asdevelop.org or visit: www.asdevelop.org or its Facebook page.
About Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD)
Nationally known and respected for its commitment to local farmers, Appalachian Sustainable Development is transitioning Appalachia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities and connecting people with healthy food. Since 1995, ASD has been serving 15 counties northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. As ASD’s work expands to include regional partners in Eastern WV, KY, and southeast OH, delivery routes for the Appalachian Harvest food hub will extend from its current routes that range from MD to GA, building important connections to increase market access and bring necessary resources to the rural communities in our physical footprint. ASD operates programs that create jobs in farming and agriculture and address food insecurity. For more information about ASD, go to www.asdevelop.org, facebook or twitter.