Jan 24, 2014 2 min read

In conjunction with the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Washington County Planning Commission is looking for commercial operations that “buy local” when it comes to agricultural products.

Lisa Cessna, director of the planning commission, reported Wednesday at the Washington County commissioners’ agenda-setting meeting that she is developing a list of stakeholders who would be interested in attending a meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 11 in Exhibit Hall No. 2 at the county fairgrounds in Arden.

The Washington County Planning Commission will be issuing invitations, but Cessna emphasized that she is trying to cast the broadest net possible and that the meeting is open to anyone.

The gathering next month at the fairgrounds is one of a series sponsored by the Pittsburgh-based Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, which is studying how to expand the market for local agricultural products, whether they be fruits, vegetables, beef, lamb or chicken, for example.

The regional commission is studying who’s growing or raising food locally and also who’s buying the products. Farmers markets are an obvious source of information, but Cessna said she also needs to track down information about commercial customers.

“We have a pretty good handle on producers,” Cessna said. “What we don’t have as good a handle on is who’s selling these things beyond farmers markets and grocery store chains that promote products grown regionally.”

Washington County Commission Vice Chairman Diana Irey Vaughan suggested that Cessna contact a local restaurant association to discover eateries that promote locally bought foods.

“It doesn’t have to be just Washington County restaurants using Washington County farm products,” Cessna explained. “We would like to expand the markets for all of our various agricultural operations.”