Food
noun: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies
Over the last half century, Americans have become disconnected from the source of their food. Dinner is produced on farms and factories around the world. County residents hail from around the world, bringing with them an entrepreneurial drive to open food markets and restaurants.
While nearly one-third of Montgomery County is protected for farming in the Agricultural Reserve, not many local farm products wind up in our farmers markets. Yet, more people garden, shop at farmers markets, subscribe to community-supported agriculture or find other ways to buy local.
How can we link our food consumption and buying habits to strengthen our farming community and enrich our lives?
QuickFacts
14number of farmers' markets in Montgomery County
3number of farmers markets selling mostly food produced in the county
1,412restaurants in the county that generated total sales of $1.18 billion in 2009
ReThink Speakers
Do you know where your food comes from? Probably not from Montgomery County, even if you shop at one of the County’s 14 farm markets, and even though nearly one third of the County’s land is in the Agricultural Reserve. How can rural communities remain vital in metropolitan influenced areas? The panel discussed the difficulty of farming in Montgomery County.
Speakers: Ben Allnutt (Homestead Farms), Wade Butler (Butler Orchards), Gordon Clark (Montgomery Victory Gardens), Jeremy Criss (Dept. of Economic Development Agricultural Services Division). 
Watch. (04/08/2010)
Learn more about the speaker series.
QuickLinks
Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market
a county institution since 1932
FRESHFARM Markets
local food from local farms
Growing Power, Inc.
gardening to build community