Everyone needs a farmer according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Get to know your local farmer, Marshalls Farm Fresh Foods, Pioneer and Eden Prairie Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tms8ye8mw_k
 
September 15, 2009
USDA launches "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative

“We believe everyone needs a farmer,’’ said Ann Wright, deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And that includes the White House, too. Wright said creation of a farmer’s market to be located outside the presidential mansion would be announced Thursday.

“It’s a real symbol to the rest of the country that we care and are aware of what’s going on,’’ Wright said.

The undersecretary made her remarks before an audience of roughly 165 chefs, farmers, others in the food industry and journalists meeting for a two-day conference on the theme, “Bringing Sustainability to the Table.” The event is sponsored by the Boston-based Chefs Collaborative, a leading non-profit network of chefs fostering a sustainable food system.

“Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” is designed to support local and regional food systems, strengthening agriculture and thus triggering economic opportunities on a community level. Vilsack, in a video posted on You Tube, said the initiative is designed to start a national conversation on where food comes from and how it ends up on the plate.

Source: Chicago Tribune-

Photos of Marshall's produce taken by Victoria Pellar Price