What you buy and where you buy your groceries every week can have a pretty big effect on Virginia's economy.

It's the choice we have to buy locally grown food from farmers' markets.

The Virginia Food System Council (VFSC) says those purchases will directly benefit the State's economy.

They report that if every household in the state spends $10 a week at Virginia farmers' markets on locally grown food, about $1.65 billion would be kept in our state.

Some customers are skeptical, but farmers say it's possible.

"I find it incredible to believe it would be that high, but I can assure you that since less than one percent of the population shops at farmers' markets anyway, that it would have a major impact," said Beth Nowak of Mayfair Farms.

While $10 may be a lot to spend a week on locally grown food like fruits and vegetables, farmers say many don't realize that can include milk, eggs and meats.

Nowak says some of her customers spend upwards of $80 a week at her stand at the Freight Station Farmers' Market.

The VFSC is encouraging all households to make this change.

They've started the $10 a week pledge.

Those who signed up are pledging to spend ten dollars on Virginia grown food a month.

The VFSC says this pledge will keep that $1.65 billion in the state to support our farmers, fund our schools, and contribute to a healthy local food system.

So far, they have more than 500 thousand dollars in pledges from individuals, businesses, schools and community groups.

To make the pledge, visit http://www.virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org.

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