Thanksgiving in Maryland is more than just a holiday — it’s a celebration of the bountiful local produce, seafood and rich agricultural traditions that define our state. This year, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s marketing program, Maryland’s Best, is spotlighting the “Eat Like a Marylander” Thanksgiving campaign. The initiative encourages residents to enjoy local produce through Thanksgiving boxes available from participating local farms curated with delicious, locally sourced ingredients.
Emily’s Produce in Cambridge is one of the farms participating in the program. “This is a great opportunity to promote local food consumption, and identifying local sources of food is an important priority of the business,” Kelly Jackson says. “Eating local is a sustainable approach to keep local agriculture thriving and making your health a priority. The food is also fresher and has not traveled hundreds of miles to get to your table.”
This unique campaign highlights the diverse and high-quality products from Maryland’s farms and waterways. The program partners with local farms to offer Thanksgiving meal boxes featuring everything you need for a festive feast. From succulent turkeys to fresh vegetables and delectable desserts, these boxes provide a hassle-free way to enjoy a home-cooked meal without the usual preparation woes.
Each farm participating in this initiative offers a unique twist on the traditional Thanksgiving meal, ensuring that you’ll find something to suit your tastes and needs.
Emily’s Produce offers an abundance of fresh produce to fill your table. “Our Harvest Box, think almost like a CSA box, is filled to the brim with local fall ingredients such as sweet potatoes, apples, kale, broccoli, pumpkin puree, winter squash and even more surprises to keep your table totally local,” Kelly says. Options include turkey from Sho Nuf Farms and oysters from Madison Bay Seafood. Additionally, for each Thanksgiving order placed, Emily’s Produce will donate a pound of fresh food to their non-profit partners.
In Edgewood, Jones Family Farm features fresh produce from their fields and fresh turkeys from Albright Farms. Customers can customize their boxes with various turkey sizes and even add Maryland crab meat from Chesapeake Brand Seafood in Easton. Their thoughtful offerings make it easy to tailor your holiday meal to your preferences and family size.
Located in Woodsboro, Moon Valley Farm offers a bountiful box brimming with products from their farm and their partners, including 78 Acres, Sassafras Creek Farm, Springfield Farm and Twin Bears Bakery. You can also add oysters from True Chesapeake Oysters. For every box sold, $15 goes toward providing a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need.
Ordering your Thanksgiving box is simple. Visit Maryland’s Best website for more details on available products and how to place your order. Each farm has specific ordering deadlines and pick-up instructions, ensuring your Thanksgiving essentials are ready when you are.
This year, make your holiday meal memorable by dining like a true Marylander. With fresh, local ingredients and the ease of a pre-packaged meal box, you’ll spend less time worrying about meal prep and more time enjoying the company of loved ones.
Why Choose a Local Thanksgiving Box?
Opting for a local Eat Like a Marylander Thanksgiving box is not only convenient but also an excellent way to support local agriculture. These boxes bring several benefits:
- Sustainable Practices: Choosing local supports sustainable farming practices, reduces your carbon footprint and promotes environmental stewardship.
- Community Support: Purchasing from local farms helps sustain jobs and preserve Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage.
- Convenience: With nearly everything you need in one box, meal planning is a breeze. Simply order the box online, pick it up from the participating farm and get cooking!
Hungry for more? Make a homemade pumpkin pie. Read about a turkey farmer.
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Coty Jones Photography
