What if you could make one simple change every day for a week that would have a positive impact on your health, your local economy and the health of the planet? Join the thousands across Maryland who will take the Buy Local Challenge ("I pledge to eat at least one item from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week") from July 17 - 25 and enjoy food that's fresh and nutritious while you support local farmers.

The Buy Local Challenge (always the last full week in July) will celebrate its fourth anniversary in 2010. One of several SMADC programs geared to boost the local farm economy the Challenge was designed to highlight the environmental, health and economic benefits farms provide. Participants are encouraged to shop at farms, farm stands, farmers' markets and grocers that offer locally grown food and wine, and dine at restaurants that include local farm food and wine in their menus.

"The Buy Local Challenge is gaining incredible momentum," said Christine Bergmark, executive director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC). "It's easy for anyone to make this simple commitment; individuals, families, even businesses and institutions", she commented. "But our goal is also to remind people that local farms need consumer support to thrive and ensure they survive for future generations. We see this Buy Local Challenge concept spreading beyond Maryland and continuing to fuel the growing trend toward healthy choices for ourselves and our planet."