Commissioner urges Kentuckians to support local farmers, businesses

Published 8:00 pm Friday, March 27, 2020

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is announcing two new web pages for consumers to support Kentucky farm families during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles announced on Thursday.

“The nation is mobilizing for war against an invisible enemy: the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Quarles. “Just because you are working from home does not mean you have to stop supporting Kentucky farm families. My office has developed a web page for consumers to find Kentucky Proud Buy Local Restaurants offering carryout, curbside, and delivery during this time. Additionally, we have developed a new page dedicated to Community Supported Agriculture, commonly called a CSA.”

Kentucky Proud® Buy Local Restaurants source from and support local farms. Offered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, this program rewards participants for enhancing their menus with locally sourced Kentucky Proud® farm ingredients. For Kentucky Proud® Buy Local Restaurants offering takeout options during the COVID-19 pandemic, go to kyproud.com/takeout.

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“I encourage Kentuckians to go to kyproud.com/takeout to find a list of Kentucky Proud Buy Local Restaurants you and your families can support while you are working and staying at home,” said Quarles. “Be sure to snap a photo and share it to social media with #KyProudTakeout to encourage people in your social network to buy local, too.”

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. Consumers buy “shares” of a farm’s harvest in advance and then receive a portion of the crops throughout the harvest. Many Kentucky Proud CSAs have pick-up and delivery options. For Kentucky Proud CSAs, go to kyproud.com/csa.