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#GetyourFRESHon AT THE CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' MARKET

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Maryland’s Best program is launching a new promotion of the state’s farmers markets this week called #GetYourFRESHon! This initiative comes quickly after Maryland Farmers’ Market Week urged communities to get out and shop for locally-grown produce Aug. 2-8.

 

Using social media, MDA is urging smart-phone loving Marylanders to snap “selfies” with their favorite farmer and tweet or post them on Facebook using #GetYourFRESHon! The MDA’s Maryland’s Best program will use some of the hashtagged photos in its promotions of farmers markets and Maryland agriculture around the state.

 

“We’re encouraging consumers to get out to farmers markets and connect with farmers who are now offering their freshest products including produce, meats, dairy, and more,” said Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder. “As Governor Hogan stated, it’s not about buying fresh local food just one week a year, we need to buy Maryland products all year long.”

 

“This is an easy campaign for us to get behind,” said Cambridge Main Street executive director Brandon Hesson, whose organization is responsible for the Cambridge Farmers’ Market which takes place Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. at Long Wharf. “It promotes shopping and supporting local efforts, eating healthy, and making local producers rock stars in our community. It takes something conventional, like a Farmers’ Market, and put a modern, technological edge to it.”

 

The social media campaign will run until Dec. 1st, after which MDA will pick a few favorite shots of consumers with their farmers that were tagged with #GetYourFRESHon!, and winners will be rewarded with a collection of Maryland’s Best goodies! This will include the first two seasons of Maryland Public Television’s popular show Maryland Farm & Harvest on DVD an a basket of fresh local produce, Maryland cheeses and other artisan ‘goodies’.

 

The summer months are traditionally strong months for Maryland farmers markets, but as Labor Day nears, MDA is reminding consumers that the markets are still filled with locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and many other products throughout the fall – which leaves plenty of time to #GetYourFRESHon! Early varieties of apples are coming into season now. Peaches, watermelons, tomatoes, sweet corn and greens are all available.

 

“There are still plenty of great items showing up in our weekly market, so we hope the community continues to come out,” said Hesson.