The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages you to buy local this Thanksgiving.

“To put it another way, be sure you eat and drink Virginia foods and beverages for Thanksgiving dinner," says VDACS Commissioner Todd P. Haymore. "At our house, that means Virginia peanuts while we watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade; Virginia turkey, potatoes, squash, pumpkin, or apples for dinner; with Virginia wine for the grownups and milk or apple juice for my three daughters. On a special occasion, we may even give them Virginia’s Finest ginger ale or a sparkling cider.”

Haymore says it’s easier than you might think to Eat Local for Thanksgiving. Even though most summer vegetables are gone, there is a wide variety of fall and winter vegetables, and many farmers’ markets remain open through the end of November. He encourages people to go to the VDACS Website for sources of Virginia products, as well as recipes featuring many of those products.

When you buy from local farmers, you get maximum freshness, taste, and nutrition because your food travels far less from farm to table. You’re saving food miles because local food comes from down the road, not across the country. The less time your food is en route, the quicker it gets to you and the more flavor, vitamins and nutrients are preserved. Saving on food miles also means saving valuable energy.

When you buy local, you also help the local and state economies. Buying locally keeps food dollars in the region and within the state and keeps Virginia’s agriculture industry healthy. Many people are surprised to learn that agriculture is by far Virginia’s largest industry, contributing $55 billion annually to the state’s economy and employing more than 357,000 people.

There are several ways you can find local products to purchase. Look for signs in your local supermarket that indicate local products. This time of year that could include all kinds of squash, pie pumpkins, leafy fall vegetables, white and sweet potatoes, peanuts, apples, honey, milk and dairy products, wine, apple cider, eggs, meats, fish, and seafood.

Local produce is usually easy to find. Many store managers post signs saying Locally Grown or Virginia Grown right on the bins. Most milk is distributed within miles of its farm of origin, but for cheese, yogurt, and butter, look for labels that state the product is manufactured in Virginia. If you order a fresh turkey, specify that you want a bird raised on a Virginia farm. Ham is easy, because you can look for some of the famous Virginia brand names.

Virginia also offers a great variety of processed products. Look for the Virginia’s Finest label and you’ll know you’re not only getting local products, you’re getting the very best of the best. Virginia’s Finest products include wine and other beverages, sauces, peanuts, hams, jellies and jams, honey, meats, seafood, dairy products, baked goods, snacks, and much more. A listing of these products can be found online.

To inspire you and add a little flair to Thanksgiving dinner, here’s a quick recipe for a White Wine Mustard Sauce to go with your turkey. It goes well with a freshly-roasted turkey, as well as leftover chilled breast meat:

1 1/2 cups brown hot dog mustard
1/3 - 1/2 cup medium sweet, white Virginia wine

Whisk together, adding white wine to desired consistency. Make several days ahead to let flavors mellow.

(Recipe courtesy of Karla Jones Seidita, Home Economist. Used by permission. More recipes can also be found online.)