Farm Catskills and the Pure Catskills buy local campaign urge residents to take the Buy Local Challenge, pledge to spend $10 weekly on local food.


A month of special promotions and events related to the economic, community and environmental importance of local foods will launch on September 6. The Pure Catskills buy local campaign has joined forces with Farm Catskills to connect local residents with healthy, fresh food produced in their communities. Special events will include in-store promotions, a screening of the film "Food, Inc." and a Buy Local Challenge.

Buy Local Month kicks-off at Farm Fair to be held on Sunday, September 6 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. at the West Kortright Centre, East Meredith. 

"Throughout September, Buy Local Month representatives will engage residents at local farmers markets and seasonal festivals to take the Buy Local Challenge. It's all about spreading the word and benefits of eating foods purchased regionally," says Farm to Market Manager, Challey Comer with the Watershed Agricultural Council.  "We've enlisted the help of local farms, businesses and restaurants in helping us. In the Buy Local Challenge, we're asking people to make a simple pledge - to make a commitment to spend a minimum of $10 per week on local foods. If 1,000 people to take the Challenge, this would potentially infuse $10,000 each week into our local economy, ultimately benefiting farm families, local businesses and our communities." 

According to Amy Kenyon of Farm Catskills, "dollars spent on locally grown foods multiplies in our local economy more than any other purchases we make.  Buying local is an investment in our communities."
People taking the Buy Local Challenge will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to be redeemed at one of three local food retailers. They will also receive periodic emails with recipes featuring local food, and where to purchase farm fresh products. 

People interested in taking the Challenge can sign a pledge form in person at several local events or complete the Challenge online at www.purecatskills.com.

The Buy Local Challenge can be found at these upcoming events:

• 9/5: EcoHeritage Festival, Ashokan Center, Ulster County
• 9/6: Farm Fair, West Kortright Center, Delaware County
• 9/12-13: Harvest Festival, Cooperstown Farmer's Museum, Otsego County
• 9/13: A Taste of Sullivan, Bethel Woods, Sullivan County
• 9/20: Earth Day, Bethel Woods, Sullivan County
• 9/26: Cauliflower Festival, Margaretville, Delaware County
• 9/25-26: Clean Sweep, Delaware County

"With hundreds of opportunities to buy local in the Catskills region, farmers and products can be found easily at www.purecatskills.com," said Challey Comer.  "Our region boasts a diverse mix of farms, farmers markets, restaurants and retailers. This month of promotions and education related to local foods will help fortify the connection between the public and these businesses."

For a list of local farm and food businesses, visit www.purecatskills.com.

The month's events will culminate with the screening of the film "Food, Inc." Screening dates include: 

• 9/17: South Side Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta
• 9/20: Walton Theater, Gardiner Place, Walton

Each screening will take place at 7 pm.  Tickets are $8 each.  Seats may be reserved by contacting Liz Searles at (607) 278-5427.

Farm Catskills is a grassroots membership organization which works to strengthen sustainable communities in a working landscape. 

The Pure Catskills buy local campaign is an economic initiative of the Watershed Agricultural Council. WAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City watershed region. WAC is funded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other public, foundation and private sources. WAC is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. For more information, visit www.nycwatershed.org.
 


Your privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or email address to anyone. And, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of any eBurst.