Eating well, close to home

We all know that a key element to healthy living is good nutrition. Inova is proud to sponsor the Northern Virginia Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local, a nationally recognized program that is dedicated to reintroducing Americans to their food – the seeds it grows from, the farmers who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to their tables.

Buy Fresh Buy Local is part of Inova's family of health, nutrition and sustainability programs, which also include Childhood Obesity Prevention programs, Partnership for Healthier Kids, Inova Sustainability Program and Inova Well.

For information about local farmers markets (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties), healthy recipes, wellness information and more, please download the newest Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide to Local Food and Wellness  

Why buy local foods?

You will get exceptional taste and freshness

Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.

You'll strengthen your local economy

Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.

You'll support endangered family farms

There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.

You will safeguard your family's health

Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations.

You'll help protect the environment

Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.

Buy Fresh Buy Local resources

Buy Local Virginia		Comprehensive list of local food sources in Virginia
Eat Well Guide		A database to help consumers find fresh, healthy, local food
Farm to School		Information on programs that aim to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias, improve student nutrition, provide health and nutrition education opportunities and support local small farmers by connecting schools with local farms
Healthy recipes		Check out our healthy recipes database, searchable by food type and dietary requirements