Onondaga County

(Syracuse, New York): Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and the Onondaga County
Agriculture Council today launched year two of the “Buy Local. Buy Onondaga Grown”
campaign to encourage the community to purchase food products grown in Onondaga County.
A kickoff event was held at Reeves Farm Stand and allowed everyone in attendance to enjoy a
taste of locally produced foods. Onondaga County Legislator and Chair of the Agricultural
Council David Knapp and Onondaga County Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon spoke about
urging shoppers to seek out locally grown products.

The “Buy Local. Buy Onondaga Grown” campaign builds on last year’s efforts to educate the
public on the importance of farmland to our community. The campaign runs now through
October 2016 on local TV and radio stations, and has two goals. First, the public will learn
about the size and scope of Onondaga County’s agricultural industries such as produce, dairy,
meat, maple and honey products, and more. Second, the community can select Onondaga
Grown items by looking for the Onondaga Grown logo at local grocers, convenience stores,
farm stands, farmers markets, and restaurants.

“Fresh food is the best food,” Said Onondaga County executive Joanie Mahoney. “When you
buy locally grown products you get the freshest food and also support our local farms. The Buy
Local, Buy Onondaga Grown campaign is a great way for you to support the people in our
community who operate and work on farms right here in Onondaga County.”

“We’re expanding on the foundation we built last year by adding in a special event on
September 24th: ONFarm Fest. On this day, select local farms will host free tours and invite the
community to take a closer look at agricultural practices today. Nationally known recording
artist Tom Chapin will be performing throughout the day as well. We’ll share more details as
they become available,” said David Knapp, Onondaga County Legislator and Agriculture Council
Co-Chair.

All local retailers who offer agricultural products grown in Onondaga County are invited to
participate in the Onondaga Grown campaign by requesting a free media kit containing posters,
window clings for entryways, and sheets of stickers for Onondaga Grown products. This gives
consumers an easy way to identify and purchase Onondaga Grown products. In addition to
seasonal TV and radio messaging, there are three other ways the public can interact and
engage with the campaign and discover where to purchase Onondaga Grown products:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OnondagaGrown
Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/OnondagaGrown
Website: https://www.wsyr.com/features/onondaga-grown-837/