In the last article, we looked at the many benefits of eating foods while they’re in season. Today we’ll look at different places where we can shop for the freshest seasonal produce.
Farmers Markets
These past few years, farmer’s markets have grown in popularity. They are a great way to network and get to know your farmer. Shopping at a farmer’s market is more fun than wandering around the endless aisles at grocery stores. The food is fresher because it’s usually picked that morning or the day before. We also have indoor farmers markets like the Farm Hippie, which host a space for a variety of vendors or producers to sell produce year-round. This is especially important in Oklahoma where we have such unpredictable weather and both farmer and customers can stay out of the hectic weather.
Roadside Stands
Oklahoma roadside produce stands are everywhere, especially in the summer. They’re also a great way to get fresh, local food and they’re usually conveniently located on your way home.
Farmers Co-ops
Agricultural Co-ops are usually controlled by farmers, ranchers, or growers. Through their cooperatives, farmers have control, as elected board members to make decisions that affect them. The farmers market their products together and share the supplies, and services they need to market to their customers better. The co-ops are available online and bring the food to a central pickup, making it convenient to shop for whatever you need. We have several in different regions of Oklahoma, so do a quick Google search or ask your local farmer about other ways they distribute food.
CSAs
Community-Supported Agriculture, also known as CSAs, is one of my favorite ways to eat seasonally. At the beginning of the season, you purchase a weekly 1/2 share or more of vegetables, fruit, bread, eggs, milk, meat, or whatever your local CSA has available. Every week the farmer brings you an order or will meet you in a centralized location. It takes the guesswork out of everything. Sometimes it’s difficult to find ways to use the produce available, but it also forces you to get creative and eat healthier, so you don’t let the food go to waste. This program benefits the farmers because they give out whatever extra they have and they are able to guestimate how much food they need to grow to meet the demand.
Farm Produce Stores
Farm stores are usually small stores that sell only the produce they grow and a few other local products. This can also be a collective of farmers, but it definitely makes it easier to find what’s in season and buy from local farmers.
Search
Ask in your locally based Facebook groups, such as the Farm Hippie Farmers Market 411. There are also farm search engines like Local Harvest, Local Food directories from the USDA, and even a Google search to find options to eat seasonally in your area. When you do find your favorite way to support local farmers, make sure to promote them and encourage all your friends to buy from them too!
In conclusion
These are just a few ways to find local food, which benefits our health, economy, community, and environment. I hope this post gave you some great ideas and please, feel free to comment or contact us with your favorite farmers or local produce outlets!
Written by Kayla Kamp, Owner of Replenishing Farms and Advocate of Local Food and Farmers