So you’ve made a commitment to eating more foods that are locally grown or you’ve at least been thinking about it… but it’s a big change, you’re a little overwhelmed and you don’t exactly know how to start? Never fear…

You’re 10 simple steps away from kicking the mangoes-in-maine supermarket habit.

7. Join a CSA and/or a Food Co-op. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Many farms have CSA programs whereby you purchase a “share” in the farm. By paying an annual membership fee, you are helping the farmer cover the cost of growing the produce (seeds, tools, etc ) in exchange for a weekly ( or semi-weekly, or monthly ) share of the harvest during the growing season. Each farm has a limited number of CSA memberships available each year according to the amount of food they can produce, and they fill up early! Be prepared to sign up 6 months or so in advance of the next growing season, or be put on a waiting list for the next year. To find CSAs in your area, ask around at your farmers markets. Many farmers there will also have CSA programs or certainly know of some. Food co-ops are also membership-based and allow members to buy from many different farms, but in bulk, so pricing is often reasonable. Food co-ops allow you to see what a number of farms have available, order from as many as you like, and pick everything up in one designated spot ( some food co-ops will even deliver to your door ). Some CSAs and co-ops require that you volunteer a bit of your time actually working on the farm or in the co-op. This is a great way to meet like-minded people, get a little exercise and get your hands dirty side by side with the folks that work hard every day to feed us.

 

8. Identify restaurants that specialize in or use lots of locally grown ingredients. Eating local doesn’t have to mean giving up a night out on the town. Nor does it mean you have to abandon your ideals when you eat out. More and more restaurants and chefs are joining the local food movement. Some farmers specialize in growing food exclusively for local restaurants. Eating at a local-food-friendly joint is also a great way to get new recipe ideas. Depending on where you live, finding these restaurants may be challenge. Ask your local farmers (because you know many of them by now, right? Right??) and Google restaurant local food [your town/city here] for starters.

 

9. Find U-Pick farms in your area. Besides being able to stock up on blueberries (asparagus, strawberries, you name it) very inexpensively, a U-Pick adventure makes for a great day trip. Roll down the car windows, turn up the stereo and road trip it for a bit. Once there, you’ll enjoy the mild exercise while you wander, pick, socialize and fill up your basket / bucket / wheelbarrow with yummy treats. Some U-Pick farms will also pick FOR you,so you can just call ahead and swing by to pick up your 10 pounds of rhubarb.
10. Winterize your diet. “But, it’s winter and I live in Washington”. All is not lost! In fact, more and more farmers markets are open year ’round – yes, even in cold climates. Our Facebook inbox is full of invites to winter farmers markets – all here in Missouri, in January. The markets themselves may move indoors, but savvy farmers are still picking lettuce, carrots, garlic greens, and a variety of produce that you may never have thought possible. Remember, before there were supermarkets, our pioneering ancestors still managed to feed themselves in the winter. Some produce is perfect for long storage – apples, potatoes, onions, beets – just to name a few – and can still be found at the markets. You’ll find canned food of every variety, too, as farmers have been busy “putting up” their produce in the fall to last through the winter. Cows and chickens still produce milk and eggs all winter, so you’ll still find milk, eggs, cheese and yogurt. And remember the wheelbarrow full of strawberries you picked in June? ( Psst… they’re in the freezer!)

Here’s hoping this year brings you lots of fresh, wonderful eating and many new friends!

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