There are so many rules out there about eating organic, local, seasonal whole foods and we all have our own opinions affected by costs, availability, diet restrictions and preference.
Over the years I have seen an incredible increase in access to local food straight from farmers and producers and with spring starting to break out I wanted to go over some of those resources and I encourage people to post about their experiences.
What is a Farmer’s Market? A local area where vendors meet to sell their products. Vendors will send a variety of products. This is a great way to get to know different producers and are often a regular event for families each week.
What is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)? A farmer offers a share or membership to members of the community which they can purchase. Their share is worth a set amount of product (a weekly box/bag or personally selected and deducted from an account) during the growing season. CSAs are set up in a variety of ways and not just limited to farmers. CSAs help put cash in farmers hands often before the growing season begins.
What is a Food Co-op? Basically it’s a collectively owned “store”. You must be a member to purchase from the co-op.
The great thing about these options is that there is a way, in my opinion, for every family to get local food in their kitchens.
What Works for Me
I don’t go to Farmer’s Markets very often. We have activities that I’m running the kids to so it’s sometimes a scheduling conflict. It’s also expensive for me because I have a hard time telling my kids NO when it comes to purchasing healthy foods. I believe if they want it they will eat it. If your kids are picky eaters this is a great way to get them selecting their own food. Give them a little money and let them try something new each visit. When we do go my kids love to work together to figure out an entire balanced meal. I do the various markets on my calendar so when I need something I can try and get it directly from a local producer. This is a great way to get to know the various farmers and producers. Keep in mind some may only take cash! I have heard great things about South of the James Market and admit that if I lived closer I might be a more regular market goer. Also, I’ve been known to change me whole family’s schedule to get to the market for Petites Bouchees.
Kids eating straight from the Dominion Harvest red box.
We participate in three Co-ops/CSAs. Dominion Harvest delivers local products to your front door every week (or every two weeks). When you sign up you select the size of the box you want and your account is charged each week before delivery. You pay a set amount each week, you can put your account on hold if you need to, and you find our that week what you are getting. Now, the not picking what you want or knowing what you are going to get does not work for some people. But I like that it has pushed me to try new things and improve my cooking skills. I also love the mid-week delivery. It saves me from having to run out and I always know I’ll be able throw together a meal from the contents of my box.
We also participate in the web-based Fall Line Farms. With this online program you pay a seasonal membership fee and then each week the buying pages open for 72 hours and you shop for the items you would like from a variety of different farmers and producers. With this program it helps to shop early, like at the Markets, because they may run out of the portion/size or item you want. You then have a meeting spot where you pick-up your items later in the week. More than once I have forgotten a pick-up. I’ve set an alarm on my calendar to help remind us and that has worked. This is how I get through the winter with local greens thanks to local greenhouses like Manakintowne Specialty Growers.
And finally Ault’s Family Farm has chicken, eggs, pork and lamb. We pay up front for our share and have meat from this CSA May – October. I can’t express how strongly I feel about knowing the people who raise the food I feed my family. The CSA is changing this year so I can’t really speak to how well this system will work for us.
Paying up front for shares and memberships is worth it to me for two reasons. First, it commits my money to local healthier eating. My food budget is spent up front and I use what I have; when we run out of meat we don’t eat meat. Second, and more importantly, it’s about trust. I am putting my money out there in advance supporting and trusting local farmers and the work they are doing. And I trust our farmers are equally passionate about putting healthy, SAFE food on my family’s table.
I’m not going to reinvent the wheel and list all the CSAs and Markets in the Richmond Metro area. Below are links to two great sources. Please note that CSAs are starting to take memberships and Markets are in planning stages so some information may not be updated yet. The best thing to do is go to a specific site or find their contact information for the most accurate information.
Richmond Good Life has a great listing.
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also has a listing of Markets and CSAs throughout Virginia.
What I would like is to hear from other Richmond families what works for them. Where do shop? How has it worked for your family? What are some tips to making shopping easier?
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