Overview
We all know that a key element to healthy living is good nutrition. Inova Health System is proud to sponsor the Northern Virginia Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local, a nationally recognized program that is dedicated to reintroducing Americans to their food – the seeds it grows from, the farmers who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to their tables.
Buy Fresh Buy Local is part of Inova's family of health, nutrition and sustainability programs, which also include Partnership for Healthier Kids, FUN and SNAP (healthy weight management and obesity prevention for children), iPATH, Inova Sustainability Program and Inova HealthSource®.
For information about local farmers markets (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties), healthy recipes, wellness information and more, please download the 2013 Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide to Local Food and Wellness 
Looking for local foods near you?
The Northern Virginia region is fortunate to host a number of farmers markets that provide in some instances year-round access to local foods. Click to see information regarding the location, day and hours of operation of farmers markets in Northern Virginia
We are also pleased to offer a printable Fairfax County farmers markets schedule:
Healthy Cooking Video
Why buy local foods?
You will get exceptional taste and freshness
Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.
You'll strengthen your local economy
Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.
You'll support endangered family farms
There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.
You will safeguard your family's health
Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations.
You'll help protect the environment
Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.
Buy Fresh Buy Local resources
