Buy Local Cookout Launches State’s Agriculture and Seafood Celebration
Governor Wes Moore hosted the 2025 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, launching Maryland Buy Local Week from July 17 to 27.
The event calls on Marylanders to join the Buy Local Challenge by including local food in their meals every day.
Highlighting agriculture’s role, Governor Moore said, “When we buy local, we aren’t just investing in small businesses. We’re uplifting our shared heritage and securing the future of our state for generations to come.”
Maryland’s agriculture and seafood industries remain vital, contributing over $16 billion to the state’s economy, according to a 2022 Salisbury University study.
Poultry leads the agriculture sector, with 12,550 farms managing 1.9 million acres. The seafood industry provides over 2,000 jobs, especially on the Eastern Shore.
The Buy Local Challenge, created in 2006, has grown statewide. This year’s cookout showcased dishes from 11 local chefs using Maryland ingredients.
Attendees enjoyed oysters, BBQ chicken, ice cream from Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail, live music, and exhibits about state agriculture.
Kevin Atticks, Maryland’s Agriculture Secretary, stated, “Making the conscious choice to eat and drink locally keeps our economy humming.”
The 2025 event also features a photo contest. Participants can post their Buy Local shopping photos on Facebook or Instagram with #BuyLocalChallenge for a chance to win a prize.
Marylanders are encouraged to visit marylandsbest.net for information on local products, farmers markets, and how to participate in the Buy Local Challenge beyond the 10-day event.