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Farmers Markets/Buy Local Initiatives

AAEDC promotes the county farmers markets and engages in other buy local initiatives to direct consumers to fresh produce and locally produced products. These initiatives are a great way to support small businesses and Anne Arundel County’s economy.

Customers can expect to find a wide variety of locally produced agricultural products at Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Markets. Products include: organic options, seasonal produce, milk, yogurt, cheese, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, baked goods, fermented food, jams, candies, soaps, jewelry and herbal products.

Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets are ‘producer only,’ meaning that vendors can only sell goods they produce, grow, or harvest and not items they have purchased and plan to re-sell.

Take a look at our 2024 Farmers Markets Guide to discover when and where you can buy local this summer and fall, and remember to support all of our great Arundel-based farmers and producers when you go!

Why Buy Local?

  • Buying Local is good for you and the local economy – Local Foods are fresher, more nutritious and taste better than food bred to be shipped long distances with extended shelf life.  In Maryland, if every household purchased just $12 worth of farm products for 8 weeks, over $200 million would be put back into our farmers pockets.
  • Support Independent/Family Farms and a Stronger Local Economy  – every local food purchase ensures that your money goes to the farmer and keeps your dollars circulating in your community.
  • Enhanced Health and Safety for your family– Locally grown food retains more nutrients and is less likely to cause foodborne illnesses than food that is shipped from far away. Buying local enables you to meet and choose farmers who may avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified seed.
  • Protect the Environment – Green areas and open spaces that farms provide help to recharge our aquifers, cleanse the air and purify the water. Buying from a local farm cuts down on the distance food travels, reducing the consumption of oil and carbon emissions nationwide while reducing our carbon footprint.

Interested in starting a farmers’ market? Click here to get started.

For a list of local products see links below:

Contact Our Agricultural Representative

For additional information or guidance, please send us a message!