BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – State leaders hope to promote the benefits of locally produced foods through a new partnership.
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Local farmers and food producers were recognized through a new proclamation from Agricultural Commissioner for the State of West Virginia, Kent Leonhardt, who has teamed with Appalachian Regional Healthcare.
The “Food is Medicine” initiative emphasizes locally produced food items for underserved rural communities. We caught up with the commissioner to talk more about the initiative. From economics to overall health outcomes, he said there are a variety of benefits to eating and shopping locally. Perhaps most importantly, he said you can taste the difference when food is produced right here in the Mountain State.
“It tastes a whole lot better when it ripens right there on the vine. So, you’re going to enjoy your food a lot more, you’re going to know where it’s coming from, you’re going to make friends with the farmers, and then when you’re thinking about the local economy, you’re improving the local economy too,” he said. “Those dollars that would normally go flowing out of state are staying right here in West Virginia.”
ARH Chief of Staff, Rocky Massey has addressed the need for healthier food options in the Mountain State. He said “Food is Medicine” is offering greater outcomes for local residents as well as bringing communities together.
“We’ve got our local farmers here on the hospital parking lot bringing their products that are healthy and without those preservatives and coming right straight from the garden,” Massey said. “Which is exactly what we’re looking for and really what ‘Food is Medicine’ is all about.”
Commissioner Leonhardt told 59News the presence of farmers markets in the state has tripled under his administration. Under the new proclamation, ARH will recognize the Food is Medicine initiative and local farmers market as an annual event going forward.
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