Take up the Buy Local Challenge

You can still participate in Maryland's Buy Local Challenge, which runs through July 26. The Challenge asks you to pledge to "eat at least one thing from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week," which is the last week in July.

Dan's modified challenge: Buy at least one product from a local farm -- at a farmer's market, grocery store, wherever -- during the next four days. We're planning to do the Montgomery County 2009 Farm Tour and Harvest Sale this weekend, July 25-26. It includes 12 farms and, conveniently, the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, which is where we'll end up after visiting one or two farms.

Why buy local this week or any other? "Supporting farms promotes fresher air, cleaner water, healthier families, stronger economies, safer food and a greener planet," according to the Buy Local Challenge site. The event is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission.

Virginians, check out Buy Local Virginia for places where you can buy local food. There's also a site promoting Loudoun County farmer's markets: Loudoun Valley Homegrown Markets Association.

Remember, July's a great time to visit a farmer's market, because lots of great produce is being harvested now!