LONG ISLAND GOES GREEN IN APRIL, COMMEMORATING EARTH MONTH
WITH SUPPORT LONG ISLAND GROWN CAMPAIGN
Self-funded by grower donations only, the Support Long Island Grown campaign is intentionally coinciding with Earth Month, although its planning began early in 2009. The campaign’s immediate audience are Long Islanders, and kicks-off in April with Suffolk County’s nationally-recognized horticultural growers, followed by the region’s famed food, wine and seafood industries whose products are in-demand throughout the US due to their long-standing reputation for excellence, and their incorporation of earth-friendly cultivation and production methods. Suffolk County is New York’s largest revenue-producing agricultural region.
The message from Suffolk County’s horticultural and agricultural businesses is a green one, supported by the Long Island Farm Bureau’s members and Executive Director, Joseph M. Gergela III in conjunction with New York State’s “Pride of New York” campaign. Long Islanders are being asked to do their part in saving the planet and reducing their carbon-footprint by buying locally-grown fruits, vegetables and horticultural items.
Purchasing locally-generated items also provides a savings incentive, a factor of increasing concern amid our current economic climate. “New York State has tremendous agricultural resources including fertile soils and a perfect climate for farming. This means fresher produce and healthier plants grown closer to home by people you know. When you buy bedding plants and nursery products grown in Long Island, you not only keep your garden growing, you keep the Long Island economy growing too,” explains New York State Agriculture Commissioner, Patrick Hooker. In addition, there is the increased nutritional value for those purchasing locally-generated items. “The roots of our hospital are in our farming community. Our ability to partner with the Long Island Farm Bureau and our local growers to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce to our patients is fundamental to our mission of providing exceptional care close to home,” said Andrew Mitchell, Peconic Bay Medical Center’s President and CEO. Colorful banners will be on display at garden centers, supermarkets and farmstands, as well as brochures with the top 10 reasons to buy locally.
Partnering with Support Long Island Grown are Green Island Distributors, a horticultural supplier located in Riverhead which provides greenhouse-related education and supplies for Long Island’s horticultural growers, Martin-Viette Nurseries, whose premier horticultural center in East Norwich is one of Long Island’s largest and finest, as well as King Kullen, America’s First Supermarket, whose retail support of Long Island produce and locally-produced food items are evidenced within its 51 Long Island stores, offering “Long Island Grown” for more than a decade. Tom Cullen, the CEO and Owner, said: "Since 1999 King Kullen has proudly supported and partnered with Long Island Farmers in an effort to provide the Long Island Consumer with fresh locally grown produce as well as preserve their farming heritage."
More details about the Support Long Island Grown campaign can be found online at: www.grownonli.com. On this site there are also locations of local retailers who sell LI grown items, some of the top reasons to buy locally on LI, as well as various gardening tips and recipes.
Consumers can further contribute to Support Long Island Grown by becoming a “green friend” with a $25 donation. Retailer-involvement is welcome, as are all media-inquiries.
Contact Support Long Island Grown via the www.grownonli.com web-site, or by calling Joe Gergela, at 631-727-3777.
LINKS – campaign graphics to in-store banners (high-resolution available upon request)
Stimulate the Economy and Your Taste Buds – Eat Greener – Supermarkets
http://lifb.com/Portals/1/FoodApril23lo.pdf
Love Your Garden and The Planet – Buy LI Grown – Garden Centers
http://lifb.com/Portals/1/PlantBanner2rev2.pdf