Our Goal at BFBLGLV is to Build the Greater Lehigh Valley Local Food Economy
Madeline Squarcia
Project Lead
Coordinator of Local Foods
& Environmental Initiatives
madeline@nurturenaturecenter.org
Program Overview
BFBLGLV is working to build the Greater Lehigh Valley local food economy by educating our community about the many benefits of choosing locally grown foods; promoting our local food partners; improving fresh food access; facilitating local food purchases; providing research about our local food economy; and enhancing the connectedness of our local food system.
BFBLGLV is a program of the Nurture Nature Center, a 501(c)3 organization. Buy Fresh Buy Local is a network of chapters across the country, dedicated to increasing the economic viability of small family farms and strengthening regional food systems by expanding markets for locally produced foods. These chapters are working to rebuild local food systems and promote sustainable agriculture by connecting consumers in communities throughout the country to fresh, locally grown and produced foods. Each Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide showcases local food producers and businesses who pledge to adhere to the standards of their Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter, helping shoppers navigate the crowded food marketing landscape. Through the creation of local food guides, community events, and educational materials, Buy Fresh Buy Local makes it easy for shoppers to find and connect with local food and the farmers who grow it. Learn more about the national Buy Fresh Buy Local here.
Buy Fresh Buy Local is a registered trademark of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (Pasa).
Find Local Food
Wherever you are in the Greater Lehigh Valley, BFBLGLV makes it easy for you to find locally grown foods with an interactive Local Food Finder and a downloadable Local Foods Guide. We also offer a Farmers’ Market Map and a Lehigh Valley Harvest Calendar (find them and many other great resources here) so you know when your favorite foods are in season and where to find them. Monthly newsletters keep you up to date on what’s happening with our partners and the local food system.
Why Buy Local?
There are so many reasons to buy fresh and local foods, but some of our favorite reasons include the fact that local foods are tastier, healthier, better for the environment, and help promote the social and economic wellbeing of our communities and farm families.
Fresh Food Access
Use your SNAP/EBT card to purchase fresh, local fruits and vegetables at a participating location, and BFBLGLV will match every dollar you spend, up to $10 per day with the Fresh Food Bucks program!
Food System & Other Resources
BFBLGLV is deeply engaged in food policy work. It has conducted food forums within the communities it serves and has undertaken research about the local food system. It has also developed an Assessment Report: The Lehigh Valley Local Food Economy, and convenes the Thriving Local Food System branch of the Food Policy Council. BFBLGLV continually identifies policy issues and makes recommendations to further support farmers, businesses, and consumers, as well as the local food system as a whole.
