Where Does Your Thanksgiving Dinner Come From?

Baltimore – A new study released today by 1000 Friends of Maryland found that just 48% of the foods commonly found on a Thanksgiving table are grown locally.

“This study underscores the importance of supporting local farmers,” said Kelly Carneal, Director of Rural Lands at 1000 Friends.  “When you buy local you are helping a farmer stay in business, and that is not only good for our farmers, but for our economy as well.

To produce 100% of our Thanksgiving foods locally, Maryland farmers would need to plant over 13,000 more acres in broccoli, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and apples. They also would need to raise over 2 million more 12 lbs. turkeys. 

“Maryland is losing farmland at an alarming rate,” explained Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Executive Director at 1000 Friends of Maryland.  “Current development plans show us on track to lose another 225,000 acres of farmland - an area about the size of Cecil County - in the next 25 years.”

The report highlighted three immediate steps needed to help farmers:

• End the estate tax on family farms that are kept in farming;
• Invest in programs that help farmers onto the land and/or start or diversify their business, such as MARBIDCO,  local incubators, and regional economic councils;
• Buy local for the holidays!
  

“Buying local is a critical way to support farmers,” said Carneal. “The wholesale prices farmers get for their products are low - often near the cost of production. Buying produce straight from the farmer or at a farmers' market enables farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar you spend. And those dollars stay in the community, supporting thriving main streets and local jobs.”

Farming is a key part of Maryland’s heritage, economy, and future sustainability. Agriculture and its related industries are a leading economic engine in Maryland, contributing $2.2 billion to the state’s economy annually. And keeping land in farming improves the local tax base, as farmers pay more in taxes than it costs government to provide them with services.  Local farming is also critical to the creation of a sustainable food base for the region.

“A strong farming community is critical for smart growth and a strong economy,” said Schmidt-Perkins.  “We must do more to help our farmers and protect our farmland from sprawl development.

The survey looked at raw consumption and production numbers on an annual basis.  It looked just at products grown in Maryland.  It did not attempt to take into account what we export or import from nearby states.