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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/16/2016 Contact: Tamara McNaughton Agriculture Program Coordinator 276-623-1121 tmcnaughton@asdevelop.org

Appalachian Sustainable Development continues to support local farmers and impact economies with Rooted in Appalachia promotions.

Abingdon, VA, 02/16/16 – To create additional jobs in agriculture and meet customer demand for local food, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) launches 2016 Rooted in Appalachia promotions with the aim of continuing to build a vibrant local food economy.

***A 2015 National Restaurant Association Trends report stated that: Local foods generated $12 billion in sales in 2014 and are expected to approach $20 billion in 2019***

Tamara McNaughton, ASD Agriculture Program Manager 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 partnership between ASD and Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau and it seeks to benefit farmers, consumers, restaurants and retailers.

Some benefits:

1. 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.
2. Consumers 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).
3. 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: ria@asdevelop.org or visit: www.rootedinappalachia.com or it’s facebook page.

Appalachian Sustainable Development is dedicated to its mission to grow food, communities and opportunities to build a thriving Appalachia. For 21 years, ASD has served: Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties in southwest Virginia and Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, and Washington counties in northeast Tennessee. For more information about ASD, go to: www.asdevelop.org, facebook or twitter.