Buy Local Campaign

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

In the summer of 2008, Harford County launched a “Buy Local” promotional campaign. Managed by the Division of Agriculture in the County Executive’s Office, the program encourages the public to patronize the county’s farm-based businesses as much as possible. This program is largely a civic education activity, as it endeavors to inform the public about the positive outcomes of buying local. These include supporting the local farming community, knowing where one’s food comes from, eating healthy, and decreasing one’s carbon footprint. The campaign utilizes a variety of media to connect with the public—the web, printed advertisements, and bumper stickers to name a few. However, the most recognizable sources of information are the barns around the county that have been painted with the “Buy Local” slogan and logo. Harford County’s “Buy Local” campaign has produced measureable results, including increased customer traffic at the county’s six farmer’s markets.