ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s Best has introduced the “Eat Well. Buy Local.” campaign and a refreshed logo to promote the purchase of locally produced food and agricultural goods.
The updated website, MarylandsBest.net, allows users to search for nearby farms, farmers markets, restaurants and retailers that carry Maryland-grown and sourced items. The campaign runs through the summer and appears on billboards, digital ads, in movie theaters, EdibleDC magazine and at WTMD’s First Thursday Festivals at Canton Waterfront in Baltimore.
Maryland’s Best began in 2002 under the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s marketing program to support small farms. It has since expanded to cover seafood, value-added agricultural products and agritourism businesses, with roughly 1,000 members. The new logo uses bolder, brighter colors focused on food to emphasize choosing local options.
Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks said the program connects consumers directly to producers. “Maryland’s Best is more than a logo — it’s a connection between consumers and the hardworking farmers and watermen who produce the food we enjoy every day,” Atticks said. “This free marketing tool helps showcase the incredible diversity of Maryland agriculture and seafood, while making it easier than ever for consumers to buy local. We encourage everyone to visit the new website to find fresh products, on-farm experiences, summer favorite recipes and restaurants committed to serving Maryland-grown foods and drinks.”
Consumers can follow Maryland’s Best on Facebook and Instagram for chances to win branded bumper stickers or yard signs. The site lists options for produce, seafood such as Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and other local items suitable for summer meals and gatherings.
In Southern Maryland, the tool can help residents of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties locate nearby farms, markets and restaurants offering local products. The region includes producers of vegetables, fruits, livestock and seafood harvested from the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Agritourism sites in the area also appear on the platform for on-farm visits and related experiences.
The campaign supports direct connections between buyers and producers without requiring travel to distant suppliers. Users can search by location or product type to identify options close to home.
