Putting Local Farms on the Holiday Menu

Local grocery stores such as Giant also sell Maryland-grown produce, but spokesman Jamie Miller said the supermarket does not promote the food's origin.

In a survey of Marylanders released this year, 76 percent of people said they were more likely to buy produce in grocery stores when it is identified as grown in Maryland. Researchers from the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore conducted the statewide survey of 810 randomly chosen state residents.

Farmers say they prefer to sell to individuals instead of grocery stores because it helps them stay afloat.

"That's the only way that small farms can survive is to do direct marketing," Smith said.

Customers traveled to pick up turkeys from Springfield Farm over the weekend, but they also stocked up on other meats.

"Because it's raised locally, it tastes better," he said. "It's vine-ripened if you will."

Grapes are vine-ripened at 29 wineries throughout Maryland. The locally grown label makes the wines popular at this time of year, said Kevin Atticks, Maryland Wineries Association director.

One grape specific to the East Coast, Chambourcin, pairs well with Thanksgiving dinner -- a feat, considering the variety of foods served, Atticks said.

"Besides Easter, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest wine holidays of the year," said Michael Cullison, sales manager at Fiore Winery in Pylesville.

The Harford County winery holds a Black Friday sale after Thanksgiving at which customers can sip, snack and shop for discounts on cases.

The sale is always a hit, but Cullison said he suspects the wines are so popular because people have pride in local products.

"People always like to talk about wine when they bring it to a meal," Cullison said. "A lot of people have guests coming in from out of town on the holidays, so having a local wine helps them bring out the local charm of the area."