On Saturday, July 2, the Greater Des Moines Buy Fresh Buy Local (BFBL) campaign will debut and distribute the 2011 edition of its annual directory at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market.
Shoppers can stop by the BFBL booth to pick up a free copy of the directory, a compilation of farms, grocers, cooperatives and farmers markets where individuals can purchase fruits, vegetables, honey, wine, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products while supporting local producers. Those who pledge to buy fresh, buy local will receive a refrigerator magnet.
“Bringing healthy, local food to central Iowa families is win-win for local farmers and consumers,” says Matt Russell, coordinator of the campaign and staff member at Drake’s Agricultural Law Center. “We’re excited to continue to lead this effort.”
The Greater Des Moines BFBL campaign, a project of Drake University and Iowa Heartland Resource Conservation and Development, began in 2004.
The program aims to provide fresh, local food to consumers through a network of local farms, restaurants, food retailers and processors to increase the number of residents, farms and businesses serving up locally grown foods in the nine-county area surrounding Des Moines.
“As with any successful effort, one goal is to continue to grow and innovate,” says Neil Hamilton, director of the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. “We’ve expanded the campaign nearly every year. This year, we’ve reached out to organizations working to bring greater food access to the hungry and homeless in the region.”
BFBL included organizations in their directory like Des Moines Area Religious Council and Meals from the Market and encourages people to donate fresh produce and money to these organizations so they can purchase and deliver more locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The Greater Des Moines BFBL represents 81 farms, 22 businesses, and 48 farmers markets from Polk, Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Story, Warren and surrounding counties. Three co-sponsoring members are providing additional support to the campaign: Kitchen Collage, Campbell’s Nutrition and the Downtown Farmers Market.
For more information, contact Matt Russell at 515-689-8219 or bfbl@drake.edu.