Finding Local Produce: Farm Stands
Farm stands, farmers’ markets, and farm stores have stayed popular with consumers who like to buy their food directly from the farmer.
The USDA maintains a database of local food producers here. You can search for farmers’ markets, on-farm markets, and CSAs. LocalHarvest.org also maintains a database of local food producers.
If you look in your NextDoor app, chances are you can find neighbors who like to grow and sell their produce in farm stands. They might also be listed on social media channels.
The advantage is that you can find locally grown produce that is in season and often much fresher than what the grocery store offers. Purchases from local food producers build community, support local growers, and bring super fresh food to the table.
Cooking healthier meals can be a fun and motivating experience when you have time to shop at local farmers’ markets and farm stands.
Many farm stands are “unmanned” and “first come, first served,” so it pays to get there early, take your own bag, and bring your smartphone with the “Venmo” app so you can serve yourself.
Once you get home, it is a good idea to rinse and prep your items so you can use them easily all week. Rinse and chop your items so they can easily go into salads, side dishes, and more.
