PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (September 22, 2011) -- Calvert County is one of five counties participating in Southern Maryland Meats, a new agricultural program that promotes safe, humane, locally produced meats.

Customers have the opportunity to purchase local meats through the Southern Maryland Meats program on three farms and at two farm stores in Calvert County. The county has also received grant funding from the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) to purchase two freezer cases to be filled with local Southern Maryland meats at the farm stores.

These new choices for consumers are part of a burgeoning trend toward the use of locally sourced food. “Americans are becoming more and more interested in knowing what is on their plate, where it comes from and who produced it,” said Dr. Christine Bergmark, executive director of SMADC. “Until now, it has been extraordinarily difficult to purchase local meat. Now customers will get a quality, great tasting product and also help support their farm neighbors.”

Southern Maryland meat is available at these county farms:

Crooked Branch Farm
140 Dalrymple Rd., Sunderland (by appointment only)
410-257-5527; dowellfinancial@comcast.net

Prosperity Acres
5811 Sunderland Ct., Sunderland (by appointment only)
443-964-4972; maryt@prosperityacres.com

Windy Willow Farm
421 Clyde Jones Rd., Sunderland (by appointment only)
301-928-6781; Debbie@windywillowfarm.com

Freezer cases filled with local Southern Maryland Meats are located at these farm stores:

Chesapeake’s Bounty
Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
6415 St. Leonard Rd., St. Leonard; www.chesapeakesbounty.com

Spider Hall Farm
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
3915 Hallowing Point Rd., Prince Frederick; www.spiderhallfarm.com

For more information about the Southern Maryland Meats program, visit www.southernmarylandmeats.com.