Those who love farm-fresh produce and meats are enjoying the bounty of the seasons at the several dozen local farm markets that dot the Centre County landscapes. From Philipsburg to Millheim, State College to Snow Shoe, hundreds of farms are producing nearly all of the product sold at these roadside and parking lot mini-communities. Several also provide the many meats and vegetables found inside neighborhood grocery stores.
In an effort to continue to support the buying of fresh, local produce and meats in the region, the Centre County Board of Commissioners has officially proclaimed July 31 through Aug. 6 as “Local Foods Week” in the county.
“It’s an honor to be able for us to proclaim next week as ‘Local Foods Week’ in Centre County,” commented Commissioner Steve Dershem. “This is a wonderful time of the year to get local produce. It’s tough to beat the flavor of farm fresh produce, and there’s lots and lots of it available here.”
Alicia Leitch from the Centre County Buy Fresh, Buy Local group, and representing the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, attended the meeting to discuss the event.
“For this special week, we’re not only focusing on the people who are producing the food, but also to the food system contributors, such as the area farm markets and other food suppliers.”
Leitch said several events are planned during the week, and a full schedule is available by visiting www.pasafarming.org.
“The event will culminate on Aug. 6 with the 11th Annual Farm Tour, which includes a vintage road trip and self-guided tour of 11 farms in the area,” said Leitch.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved a grant adjustment submission to the Office on Violence Against Women requesting a 12-month, no-cost time extension of the Safe Heaven Grant awarded to county. The total award was $748,652 and as of June 30, 2016, a total of $599,222 has been expended, leaving a fund balance of $149,429.
• Authorized Commissioner Chairman Michael Pipe as the new authorized signing official for the Centre County Safe Havens Grant award.
• Approved several contract addendums and renewals in the county’s Children and Youth Services programs.
• Approved a contract renewal between the county and Roxbury to provide inpatient detoxification and residential drug and alcohol treatment, including clients with a co-occurring diagnosis. The contract is estimated at $5,000 with 100 percent state funding.
• Approved a contract renewal between the county and Gaudenzia Erie Inc. to provide drug and alcohol detoxification and residential treatment to adult men and women, including those with a co-occurring diagnosis. Halfway house services are provided for adult men and for women with a focus on pregnant women and women with children. The contract is estimated at $5,000 with 100 percent state funding.
• Approved a contract renewal between the county and Firetree Ltd. to provide drug and alcohol services to include inpatient non-hospital treatment and rehabilitation and non-hospital detoxification. The contract is estimated at $5,000 with 100 percent state funding.
• Announced the Aug. 9 meet of the Centre County Board of Commissioner is canceled due to the board attendance at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Conference.
