Internet: Maryland Launches Online Farmer's Market

A new, free online service from the University of Maryland allows consumers to buy the freshest food Maryland farms have to offer with just a click. FoodTrader.org is a virtual farmer's market that lets small independent Maryland farms create an instantaneous listing of the fresh foods they have to sell, the price and the location.

A new, free online service from the University of Maryland allows consumers to buy the freshest food Maryland farms have to offer with just a click.

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FoodTrader.org is a virtual farmer's market that lets small independent Maryland farms create an instantaneous listing of the fresh foods they have to sell, the price and the location.

"Anything you typically find at a farmer's market can now be found on our website," says the University's Joanne Throwe, associate director of the EFC. "We are encouraging Marylanders to buy more local food and support our farms. Plus, we're helping to bolster the economic viability of our working agricultural lands in the state. That's a heritage this state can't afford to lose."

Since going live July 15th, listings from more than 20 farms have included specialty cuts of meat, all types of fruits and vegetables, flowers, honey, dairy products and even soap made from goat's milk.

Throwe says the new Website is available free to any consumer, Maryland business or institution. The Maryland Restaurant Association is one of the early organizations cooperating.

This project is consistent with Governor Martin O'Malley's "Buy Local" initiative and the state Department of Agriculture's "Maryland's Best" initiative, Throwe says, adding that a variety of other institutions, such as universities, community colleges, public and private schools, and hospitals and nursing homes can make use of the easy access to fresh and nutritious food directly from Maryland farmers.

At a time when rising fuel prices are making the long distance transportation of food more expensive and amid growing concern about the vehicle emissions that contribute to climate change, "buy local" programs have suddenly become more popular.

"Buying directly from Maryland farms just makes good economic sense," says Gerrit Knaap, director of the National Center for Smart Growth. "We have some of the best quality food you could ever want to eat right here in Maryland."

One important aspect of the FoodTrader.org Website is that it includes a category for charities. Farmers can receive tax deductions for donations that they make to the Maryland Foodbank. Consumers can also make a food pantry donation and receive a deduction.

In addition to buying what farmers are offering to sell on FoodTrader.org, consumers can also make individual requests online for a particular item. All payment arrangements are made between farmer and consumer.

This new online farmer's market complements another popular EFC website, agtrader.org, which is frequently used by farmers to buy, sell and trade agricultural equipment and other resources.

FoodTrader.org is a secured website that will be monitored and maintained by the Environmental Finance Center staff. All information is kept private.

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