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Good Food

State Supports Local Farmers

By Zachary D. Lyons

Jun 20, 2002 -- Agriculture employs more people than any other industry in the state of Washington. It supports thousands of families in our urban and rural communities. So Governor Gary Locke has launched, "From the Heart of Washington," a campaign to remind Washington residents that choosing to buy Washington farm products helps ensure the economic well being of the families that produce and harvest our state's bounty. "The choices we make go further than the shopping cart or refrigerator door," notes Valoria Loveland, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The campaign was launched by Governor Locke Monday, June 17, at press conferences spread across the state, including a locally owned grocery store in Spokane, a family-owned winery in Pasco, and Pike Place Market in Seattle.

From the Heart of Washington has brought together diverse, and often competitive, agricultural and retailing interests into a rare, and somewhat extraordinary, coalition working by consensus to promote the virtues of supporting Washington's farmers and food processors. The campaign was created using federal funds allocated by Congress to support non-commodity crops, known as "specialty crops". Specialty crops include everything from apples to shellfish to wine, and Washington is the third largest specialty crops producing state in the nation.

Working together since November, leaders of Washington's many crop commissions, along with grocery retailers and farmers markets, have been working with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to develop an educational campaign, built around a central logo which will identify Washington agricultural products at retail outlets, farmers markets, restaurants, and wherever Washington residents purchase food. The campaign will be supported by newspaper, radio, and television advertising, as well as special events and editorial content. Such celebrities as Chefs Tom Douglas and Kathy Casey, and even the Seattle Mariners, are expected to lend their voices to the cause. For more information, go to www.heartofwashington.com.


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