Fresh Approach

Buy local. Eat local. Film local.

That’s the new idea that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has in store for Farmers Market Week.

“This year we have issued a challenge to all Virginians to eat local for a day,” noted Todd P. Haymore, commissioner of VDACS. “Choose a day during Farmers Market Week … and on that day, consume only foods and beverages grown or produced in Virginia. Then show us how you did it.”

This year’s dates run from Sunday through Aug. 9.

“Send us a video showing what you bought, where you bought it, how you cooked it and, of course, how much you enjoyed it,” Haymore wrote in his latest newsletter.

The winning video will be posted on YouTube and the VDACS Web site. A basket of Virginia goodies,

valued at $200, also will be awarded to the creator of the best video, including a collection of Virginia food and beverages, a Virginia Grown polo shirt and a logo cap or tote bag, among other Virginia specialty items.

The deadline to submit videos is Sept. 3. Videos must be less than five minutes in length and feature locally grown and Virginia Grown or produced products. A panel of three judges will select the winner based on creativity, enthusiasm, appeal and the number of products showcased.

According to Haymore, Farmers Market Week is a time that the VDACS sets aside to emphasize the importance of farmers markets.

“When you select fruits and vegetables grown on nearby farms, you are choosing produce that was on the vine, in the field or on the tree just a short time before you get to enjoy it,” Haymore added.

“The only way to get it any fresher is to pick it yourself. And a lot of people are doing that, too, and having a great time in the process at Virginia’s many pick-your-own farms and orchards.”

A list of farmers markets in the state is posted at http://www.virginiagrown.com along with more details of the video contest.

Charlottesville City Market

Water and South streets

7 p.m. to noon Saturdays

Crozet Farmers Market

Jarmans Gap Road and Crozet Avenue

8 a.m. to noon Saturdays

Fluvanna Farmers Market

Route 53, Palmyra

3 to 7 pm. Tuesdays

Forest Lakes Farmers Market

South Recreational Facility

4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Greene County Farmers Market

Technical Education Center, Stanardsville

8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays

Louisa Farmers Market

Glen Marye Shopping Center, Louisa

8 a.m. to noon Saturdays

Madison County Farmers Market

Hoover Ridge Park, Madison

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays

Farmers in the Park

Meade Park, Charlottesville

3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays

Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative

Route 151, Nellysford

8 a.m. to noon Saturdays

Orange County Farmers Market

Taylor Park on West Main Street

Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays

Scottsville Farmers Market

Dorrier Park, Scottsville

3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays

8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays