Make it a Pennsylvania Thanksgiving: Agriculture Secretary Shops Local for Family Thanksgiving

HARRISBURG, Pa. – At Broad Street Market yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and his wife, Nina, bought everything on their Thanksgiving dinner grocery list from local, PA Preferred® vendors. It was a demonstration of how with intentional choices, it’s easy to buy local and support Pennsylvania farmers around the holidays and year-round.

“The best possible way to show gratitude to Pennsylvania’s farmers is to shop at your local farmers market or look for the PA Preferred logo at your grocery store,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Buying local supports the small business that call Pennsylvania home and fuels local economies, making it the perfect thank you.”

The foods found on your Thanksgiving dinner plate are produced abundantly by Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, including more than seven million turkeys, 74 million pounds of pumpkins, and 160 million pounds of potatoes annually. At the market today, the Reddings purchased everything from their turkey and potatoes; to bread and celery for filling; and carrots and cheese for Nina’s famous Cheesy Carrot Casserole.

“The Broad Street Market is an oasis in the midst of a food desert. We have been connecting our urban Harrisburg community with agriculture for more than 150 years,” said Amy Hill, Broad Street Market Alliance chairperson. “Providing access to fresh, nutritious Pennsylvania produce is an important part of our mission.”

In the Pennsylvania Farm Bill signed earlier this year by Governor Tom Wolf, PA Preferred received an increase in funding by $1 million to provide improved benefits to its farmer members and improve consumer awareness around the statewide branding program and fuel the buy local movement in Pennsylvania.

“We should always be thankful for Pennsylvania’s farm families, but Thanksgiving serves as the perfect reminder of their hard work,” added Redding. “As you enjoy a wholesome and nutritious Thanksgiving feast next week, I encourage you to pause in recognition of those whose livelihoods make the holiday bounty possible for us all to enjoy.”

To find more ways to support Pennsylvania agriculture and buy local, visit papreferred.com, to learn more about the Department of Agriculture’s commitment to a thriving, sustainable agriculture and food industry, visit agriculture.pa.gov or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.


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