PLENTY Spring 2020 Plenty Spring 2020-WEB | Page 45

a bud of any idea or an old family recipe that they
want to produce. Actually, Dawson’s has been the
first retail location for a number of businesses that
have gone on to regional or national distribution,
like Everbar that makes great tasting hemp-based
energy bars.
Local also plays a big part in reducing waste and
energy. Supporting local businesses in our Agricul-
tural Reserve helps reduce energy use and carbon
emissions. For Dawson’s, local is within a 100 mile ra-
dius, which means far less fuel needed to get product
to our shelves. In addition, local often requires less
packaging and frequently allows for reuse of packag-
ing. Many produce farms bring product to the store
in reusable crates they pick up on their next delivery.
When items do require packaging, it is still far less
than what is needed for shipping across the country.
Just think about how much packing material you
need when sending something fragile through UPS!
People are the most important part of the local
movement. Getting the opportunity to meet the folks
who make or grow your food was typical 100 years
ago but today is very uncommon. One of our best
give-backs at Dawson’s is our monthly “Meet the Lo-
cal” events where 10-15 producers and our custom-
ers come together. I love seeing kids come in and try
things for the first time, often because it feels safe
for them when everyone’s having fun. At Dawson’s
we are also passionate about employing people with
differing abilities, as is true for many of our local
producers. Together we give purpose and a feeling
of value to many in our community who may have
fewer employment opportunities.
Over the past 25-plus years the natural foods
industry has exploded and really shone a light on
food production. I am happy to be a part of a genera-
tion that is making food food again, sourcing locally,
and getting rid of all the chemicals, additives, and
over-processed ingredients. We are not there yet but
we are moving in the right direction. I guess I could
have been a doctor with the purpose of healing the
sick, but I chose food. Have you heard that food is
medicine?
Bart Yablonsky hails from Baltimore and began his love
of great food as a teen going to DC to sample the latest
new restaurants. While attending college in New Orleans
his interest in food continued to grow. Bart has worked in
natural food management, manufacturing, and recently as a
member of the Montgomery County Food Council.
Celebrating the 40th
Anniversary of our
Agricultural Reserve!
Visit our new
website for an
up-to-date listing
of area Farmers
Markets as well as
the many instructive
agricutural programs
and services offered
in the County.
In 1980 a significant land-use decision
was made to create the Agricultural
Reserve. The 1980 Functional Master
Plan for the Preservation of Agriculture
and Rural Open Space began with a
clear statement: It is in the public
interest to preserve farmland.
The goal is not just to preserve the
County’s heritage, individual farms
or a way of life, but also to:
l Control public costs
l Prevent sprawl
l Conserve energy
l Preserve regional food supplies
l Protect the environment
l Maintain open space
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/agservices/
R B Savage &
Sons Farm, LLC
OPEN year Round
Thursday 12 pm - 6 pm
Friday 12 pm - 6 pm
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Pasture Raised Beef, Pork, Chicken (our farm)
u Goat meat (Thistle Thickets Farm)
u Fresh Eggs, McCutcheon’s Products, BBQ Sauce
(Poolesville Pickers)
u Long Looked For Apple Butter (Produced at Kingsbury’s
Orchard)
u Hay (square/round bales), Straw (square/round bales),
Deer Corn (shelled corn), Seasonal Produce, Seasonal
Decorations, Hand Crafted Items, Goat Milk Soap
(Thistle Thickets Farm)
u Honey Effects Honey (Joe Long)
u Home Baked Items
u
Now offering:
MANURE REMOVAL and ROLL-OFF SERVICES
BULK MULCH, LEAFGRO, SAWDUST
23035 Mt. Ephraim Rd, Dickerson, MD u 301-340-7111