Cool Foods Campaign - STEP 6: OTHER RESOURCES FOR LOCAL FOODS

Take a Bite Out of Global Warming

STEP 6: OTHER RESOURCES FOR LOCAL FOODS

If you only had the space for a windowsill or porch garden, there are many ways you can supplement what you grow yourself by enlisting the help of local farm and food initiatives. These include: community gardens, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), farmers markets, local farms, and food cooperatives or buying clubs.

Community Gardens

Many urban areas have started community garden projects. Often these organizations rent out small garden plots for very minimal costs for you tend and grow what you want. Other times these community gardens are overseen by a general grower, who directs volunteers (like you) in what to plant. Volunteers are generally eligible to take home a portion of the produce, some might be sold at farm stands or farmers markets, and others may donate produce to food banks or soup kitchens.

To get you started locating a community garden in your area, check out the American Community Garden Association.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
A CSA is an farming system that involves direct trade between food producers and consumers. The main objectives of CSAs are to ensure fair markets for farmers, support local economies, and promote sustainable agricultural practices that provide nutritious produce for all. In the CSA method, you purchase a “share” in a farm before the growing season begins. You then become a “member,” or “subscriber.” Paying the fees in advance allows farmers to utilize the funds when they are most needed – to purchase supplies necessary for growing and harvesting. In addition, a relationship is created between growers and eaters because the latter is agreeing to take on a portion of the risk typically faced solely by the former.

In return, the subscriber receives fresh farm produce throughout the growing season. CSAs are set up in various ways: some require assistance in farm chores like harvesting while others deliver the product directly to the customer’s house. Depending on the size of the production, CSA shares could include eggs, dairy, meat, or honey as well as fruits and vegetables. Some CSAs offer subsidized or reduced share prices for people in certain income categories. Many CSAs offer half-shares for smaller families, and some CSAs offer a winter share. Not all CSAs are certified organic, so ask the farmer about his or her growing practices. Use these resources to find a CSA near you:

Local Harvest: CSAs

Eat Well Guide

Robyn Van En CSA Center

Organic Consumers Association

Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets provide another simple way to get fresh, local, and seasonal produce, and are becoming ubiquitous in urban and suburban areas. A producer-only farmers market is a central location where local farmers can bring their goods to be sold directly to customers, cutting out the middle-man. You can find all kinds of farm products at a market; eggs, dairy products, herbs, meat, mushrooms, bread, as well as fruits and vegetables. As with CSAs, not all of the farms at a farmers market will necessarily be certified organic, or even grown under organic standards. It is common for farms to be herbicide and pesticide free. Always ask the farmer about their growing practices. Also, be sure to look for producer-only farmers markets, where all involved are selling their own products rather than selling imported or shipped products. To keep your “foodprint” even lower, walk, bike, or take public transportation to the market and bring your own reusable bags!

How to find a farmers market near you:

Local Harvest: Farmers Markets

Eat Well Guide

USDA Farmer's Market

Farmers Almanac

Local Farms

If you live in a suburban or rural area, it may be easy for you go straight to the farm to buy supplemental produce. Some farms have farms stands or small greenhouses where you can directly purchase any number of farm goods. These might also be good places to go for manure or seedlings as well. Find a farm near you:

Rodale Institute: Farm Locator

Local Harvest: Farms

Organic Trade Association: Farm Search

Food Cooperatives (co-ops) and Buying Clubs

Food co-ops are organizations that are owned and operated by their members. They are like grocery stores that have member benefits. They offer price discounts to members, stock many products in bulk, and are often committed to purchasing organic and locally grown foods. Anyone can become a member. Each member invests in the co-op with a small fee and is then able to have a say in how the co-op operates. Many co-ops will offer discounted member fees for working members. Working members often commit a few hours a week to help unload deliveries, shelve products, or work as cashiers.

Buying clubs are much like food co-ops but without the time and monetary investment in operating a store. Often, buying clubs are operated out of someone’s home or office. Buying clubs are formed by groups of people that place large orders directly with a distributor, allowing them to order in bulk quantities at wholesale prices. The shipments are delivered directly to a drop-off destination where club members receive the goods and sort the products immediately. Joining or forming a buying club is a good option for people in suburban or rural areas that might not have a food co-op in the area. As long as you have enough people to make a minimum purchasing order, you can order products wholesale.

To find a food co-op near you:

Co-op Directory Service

Organic Consumers Association

Local Harvest: Food Co-ops

To find buying clubs or for information on forming your own:

Organic Consumers Association

Co-op Directory Service: Blooming Prairie Model

Co-op Directory Service: Buying Club Distributor List

Next, see: Preserving your Produce

Preparing for Next Year