Support your local farmers/growers

[rbh]

Ah yes locally produced food!
As with most towns and cities there is usually a farmers market set up somewhere.
We do not see venders selling meat products due to all the regs, but fresh fruit, veggies and root products (spuds, carrots ETC) when in season sure is nice.
Plus there is the jams, jellies fresh bread products.

(and the guys selling those lawn ornaments/whirlly gigs)

There has been alot of people getting into the 100 mile diet, this is everything you eat is produced within 100 miles of your home.

So support local foods

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

The wife and I are advocates of buying local and the weekly farmer's market in town gets our business. The other big perk is my neighbor sells fresh produce about 75' from my property line

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

When in season I buy locally.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

Hear hear!!! (I am biased as I live in farm country.)

The problem in many areas (and before I'm accused of being negative again I always buy local if/when I can) is the short growing season. I am not sure what the Missouri growing season is like, and how long there is anything to be had in your markets, but up here, there is still nothing that local growers can offer...except maple syrup.
edit: and man, this spring everything will be later than ever!!
The permanent stalls have bananas...oranges..etc. all imported....not much if any difference from the mega-stores. These are just an extra hand in the supply chain and don't add anything really, except occupying market spots that for 3-4 months would be better allocated to an actual grower/market gardener.

I think it is a difficult task for the food regulatory gang to strike the right balance between not strangling the small producer with a regulatory burden from he** vs maintaining a safe food supply.

 

[rbh]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

You have to look at the difference between fresh and processed.
Meat, cheese, fish, dairy and some processed goods have stringent regulation on them to protect you from those nasty bugs, which is good, so if you can find away to work within the guidelines "do it please".

Have we gone paper work crazy??? maybe, but on the other hand if little Johnny has a peanut allergy and your product kills him, "well"

But there should be no issues with fresh fruits and veggies though! (I hope)
(and garden knomes and whirly gigs are safe!!!! )

 

[mike64]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

I just did this by buying 5 lbs of Michigan asparagus from a local farm. Can't beat Michigan asparagus.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

You can't beat fresh veggies from the local farm stand. Carrots, green beans, corn, there is a huge difference in flavor than ones from the market. IMO

They just plowed the field a couple of weeks ago here, so we have a ways to go yet.

 

[JB]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

I almost forgot what a proper tomato tastes like, and cantaloupe, too. Locally grown produce, range fed chickens and eggs from them remind me of my youth.

The problem here is separating locally grown fresh produce from imported, cardboard flavored varieties, even in roadside stands.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

We get eggs and honey locally all the time.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

Well I also have a YEAR round hydroponic tomato farm about 2 miles away..... grows the prettiest tomatoes around HOWEVER....... I am a snob and they do not have the taste to me. Full of color, right shape, right texture when sliced......but no taste to me

Last Summer I helped my neighbor out with his vegetables and sweet corn. Since he produces so much he also sells to the local supermarkets...... I helped my neighbor obtain his USDA GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) Food Safety Audit and Certification during the Summer of 2010. Pretty involved process that dealt with sanitation, safety and handling process. It was interesting and actually was a boost for the business.

The fields are being prepped and planted soon. Our local rule of thumb for sweet corn is .....knee high by the 4th of July

 

[fireman57]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

I grain farm and we have always put out a "sizeable garden" of about a half acre. When he kids were little my wife always canned and froze the produce. They are all either in or out of college now but still come home and love the food. We also raise and butcher our own beef which is a huge plus but the kids always say that they can taste the difference. When they left I thought that I might truck farm some of it but the neighbors really appreciated the dozen or two ears of sweet corn or the grocery bag of green beans so I told them all if they are willing to pick it they can come get it. We still have plenty to put up for our needs and all we want to eat fresh but it is more worth it to watch my few neighbors and especially their kids helping pick it and rave about it. Selling it now would be like taking 30 pieces of silver for it. The cost is only about 40 bucks to put it all in and we save four times that much and still get to spread enjoyment.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

knee high by the 4th of July

Yep or its a sh#ty growing season for all.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

Summer you are right but this way everyone shares in the bounty no matter if it is great or small.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Support your local farmers/growers

I love the produce stands where I live.....so much better than store bought.....plus it helps the little guy make a living