Summer may be come and gone, but there are all sorts of Virginia products available at farmers markets and your local supermarkets. Think squash, pie pumpkins, leafy greens, white and sweet potatoes, apples, peanuts and more! There’s Virginia-raised (organic and free-range) turkey from Ayrshire Farm and let’s not forget Virginia wine! It’s easy to assemble a Thanksgiving feast by buying from local farmers. You get maximum fresh, taste, and nutrition, and your food travels far less from farm to table– saving energy and preserving food’s nutrients. When you Buy Local, you are also helping the local and state economies, keeping dollars in the region and sustaining Virginia’s vibrant agriculture industry. (Did you know that agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry? Adding $55 billion annually to the state’s economy and providing jobs to 357,000 people?) Look for labels: “Virginia Grown” or “Locally Grown” or “Virginia’s Finest.” Check out the VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website for some recipes featuring VA products!

Image Via Virginia Game & Fish