Letcher County Farmers’ Market
MACED’s third strategy brief – released today – focuses on the local foods movement in eastern Kentucky, which truly is booming. A new farmers market in the region seems to open every summer. Local butcher shops, like in Hazel Green, are increasing interest in locally-sourced meat products. Small eateries and restaurants, like in Hazard, Summit City in Whitesburg, and The Blue Raven in Pikeville – all of which source some of their food from local producers – are becoming anchors of Main Street rebirth, and leading the way for others to do the same.
It’s all no wonder, given Appalachians’ intimate history with agriculture and local food.
Eastern Kentuckians have been subsistence farmers since they first settled this region. In fact, it’s likely the only thing we as a people have done longer than mine coal. To this day, the favorite foods of many Appalachians come from family gardens – fresh, ripe tomatoes with just a touch of salt, white half runner green beans cooked with salt bacon for flavor, new potatoes with a buttery texture that can’t be imitated. They are eastern Kentucky delicacies and staple foods. And now, they could become one of our economic saviors.
Creating an infrastructure to better support local farmers and food producers is one of the most logical steps we can take toward revitalizing the region’s economy. It just makes sense to capitalize upon one of our most innate assets and find ways to create opportunities with it.
Those opportunities already exist. From MACED’s report:
[I]n 19 Appalachian counties, farms that sell directly to the consumer actually grew between 2007 and 2012. In seven counties, that number more than doubled. Direct-to-consumer sales brought in more than $5.3 million to eastern Kentucky farmers in 2012.
Area health departments, schools and non-profits are promoting the economic and health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally. Formal farmers’ markets exist in more than half of eastern Kentucky counties, along with many formal and informal roadside stands. Farm-to-school programs are putting more local food on children’s plates. In fact, in some areas the demand for local food outstrips the supply.
Eastern Kentuckians have never really known before now that our heirloom vegetables and winter hog killings could help us grow a new economy for the future survival of not just ourselves, but our entire region. Now that we do know this, more needs to be done to ensure the local foods sector can continue to boom.
Local artisans and entrepreneurs are hoping to bring life back to the rural communities along Route 7 in eastern Kentucky through antique shops and by investing in local artists.
Community Members hope to revitalize Route 7
appalachiantransition.org
Route 7 Antique Alley and Route 7 Artisan Fellowship are teaming up in eastern Kentucky, working across county lines, and hoping to make change happen in their communities. With 5,200 plus members …
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"A just transition requires reinvesting in regions that have historically relied on fossil fuel extraction as their economic engine. These communities fueled the growth of our nation and paid a heavy toll with the lives of their workers and the health of their communities. Creating a just transition means building a new economy that is diverse, sustainable and provides opportunities for all."
The folks at have made this awesome video about Pine Mountain and their efforts to preserve it. Take a few minutes to watch it today - you won't regret it.
KNLT has completed production of our short film The Wildlands of Pine Mountain. The film was shown at film festivals in Louisville and Morehead over the last few months. We are pleased to now share it with you. Produced by: Kertis Creative Script by: KNLT Narration by: Joan Shelley Music by: Warren Byrom & Joan Shelley We want to thank the following organizations for their financial support of this project: Owsley Brown II Family Foundation, Snowy Owl Foundation, Forecastle Foundation, Land Trust Alliance, Patagonia and Wolverine Worldwide.