Partnership Criteria

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) serves as the nonprofit home of the Buy Fresh Buy Local Chesapeake (BFBLC) Chapter. The following eligibility requirements and participation guidelines for entities and individuals in the Chesapeake Region wishing to participate in the Program as Local Partners has been established by the BFBLC Chapter Coordinator.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farmers that grow or raise foods or other agricultural products (ornamental plants, bedding plants, or Christmas trees, etc.) in the Chesapeake Region primarily for consumption within that same region.

    ii. Must implement Chesapeake Bay Foundation recommended Best Management Practices (streamside buffers, streamside fencing, nutrient management plan, usage of cover crops, continuous no-till farming) whenever and wherever possible.

    iii. Farmers with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the chapter region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their proven ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farmers markets where vendors in the market

    are not reselling products from wholesale markets.

    1. “Farmers Markets” without actual farmers (craft, flea markets) will

    not be eligible.

    2. Farmers markets featuring vendors reselling wholesale products

    will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

    ii. Please note:

    1. A no brokering or limited brokering policy should be in effect for

    the market to demonstrate commitment to local foods.

    2. Farmers Markets can use BFBL materials only to promote their

    markets. Vendors must join individually to use signage and point

    of purchase materials.

    iii. This agreement requires participation in efforts to gauge economic impact

    and general interest in local foods.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farm to table businesses that buy from local farmers and producers for food preparation or resale.

    ii. Please note:

    1. A commitment to purchase and promote local foods should be outwardly stated in the marketing message or principle of the business.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are businesses/individuals/stores/seafood dealers that commit to sell and promote local seafood products with a goal of sourcing local products, buying directly from watermen, or raising product through sustainable aquaculture.

    ii. Watermen/retailers with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

  • i. Eligible for partnership are processing facilities, butcher shops, bakeries and commercial kitchens that use local farm products and sell at markets, to retailers, out of storefronts, etc.

    ii. Processors with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the chapter region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their proven ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy.

    iii. Please note:

    1. The processor’s primary market must be in the Chesapeake Region.

    2. A commitment to purchase and promote local foods should be outwardly stated in the marketing message or principle of the business.

    3. Foods promoted with BFBL materials must contain at least one featured or primary ingredient grown or raised on a local farm. For example, local apples in an apple pie, local oats in oatmeal cookies, or local carrots in carrot bread would qualify, whereas applesauce made primarily with non-local apples, or a pie made with only local butter would not qualify. In areas of question, food items will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the BFBLC Chapter Coordinator.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are businesses that buy from a local farms or producers for food preparation or resale.

    ii. Please note:

    1. A commitment to purchase and promote local foods should be outwardly stated in the marketing message or principle of the business.

    2. BFBL materials should be used only for foods that feature local ingredients. BFBL materials may not be used to promote food or products primarily composed of non-locally sourced ingredients.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farmers that grow or raise foods or other agricultural products (ornamental plants, bedding plants, wool, Christmas trees, etc.) in the Chesapeake Region primarily for consumption within that same region.

    ii. Must implement Chesapeake Bay Foundation recommended Best Management Practices (see farmer section) whenever and wherever possible.

    iii. Farmers with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their proven ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

    iv. Please note:

    1. The primary market for products promoted with BFBL materials must be in the Chesapeake Region.

    2. BFBL products must be traceable to a specific farm.

    3. BFBL materials should be used only for locally grown products. BFBL members that also retail non-locally produced items are expected to take care that such products are properly labeled to distinguish them from local foods. Ex. “South Carolina Peaches.”

    tion

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farmers that grow or raise foods or other agricultural products (ornamental plants, bedding plants, wool, or Christmas trees, etc.) in the Chesapeake Region primarily for consumption within that same region.

    ii. Must implement Chesapeake Bay Foundation recommended Best Management Practices (see farmer section) whenever and wherever possible.

    iii. Farmers with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

    iv. Please note:

    1. The primary market for products promoted with BFBL materials must be in the Chesapeake Region.

    2. BFBL products must be traceable to a specific farm.

    3. BFBL materials should be used only for locally grown products. BFBL members that also retail non-locally produced items are expected to take care that such products are properly labeled to distinguish them from local foods. Ex. “South Carolina Peaches.”

  • i. Eligible for partnership are wineries that use their own grapes or other fruit in production and/or use of grapes and other fruit from local growers.

    ii. Must implement Chesapeake Bay Foundation recommended Best Management Practices (see farmer section) whenever and wherever possible.

    iii. Wineries & Breweries with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

    iv. Please note:

    1. The primary market for products promoted with BFBL materials must be in the Chesapeake Region.

    2. BFBL materials are to be used only for products designated as Chesapeake Region wines that have locally produced fruit as the primary ingredient.

    v. This agreement requires participation in efforts to gauge economic impact and general interest in local foods.

  • i. Eligible for partnership are farmers that grow or raise foods or other agricultural products (ornamental plants, bedding plants, wool, Christmas trees, etc.) in the Chesapeake Region primarily for consumption within that same region.

    ii. Must implement Chesapeake Bay Foundation recommended best management practices (see farmer section) whenever and wherever possible.

    iii. Creameries with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their proven ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

  • i. Eligible for partnership are businesses that produce local honey and bee products within the Chesapeake Region and are committed to promoting the health of bee populations in the aforementioned region.

    ii. Apiaries with a similar local focus that reside outside the Chesapeake Region may be approved for membership based on one of the following exemptions:

    1. A pre-existing market in the Chesapeake Region

    2. Offer a product that is not readily available in the Chesapeake Region

    3. Their ability to significantly/uniquely stimulate the local food economy

  • i. Eligible for membership are nonprofits, hospitals, publications, agencies, etc. that buy, support, or promote local food.

    ii. Please note:

    1. BFBL materials should be used only for locally grown products. BFBL members that also retail non-locally produced items are expected to take care that such products are properly labeled to distinguish them from local foods. Ex. “South Carolina Peaches.”

    2. A commitment to purchase and promote local foods should be in the stated marketing message or principle of the organization.