farmersmarket365

I heard that last week was Made in America week and I couldn’t think of a better way for any of us to celebrate this than to honor the farmers and marketers who bring us beautiful local foods each and every week.  Here we live in this tiny state and yet there is at least one market on every day of the week; check out this site for those near you, https://www.farmfreshri.org/summermarkets2019/  .  I make use of this web site to find products that my local farmers don’t grow.  To buy local is a buzz word these days and can make some feel guilty if they don’t buy something grown more than 50 miles from their home; each person should come to their own definition but be sure to take time to check out what is out there. A farmer’s market is a good start but don’t forget farm stands, farm stores, and why not stop at the side of the road to check out what your neighbor may be selling at the end of their driveway.- In fact sometimes the food there is for free.

“Green grocery” markets are coming on strong and offer another option. I am just starting to explore these and have found checking out their web sites to be a good first step.  Some talk about natural foods but deal mostly in supplements and are limited as to the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available.  Co-ops are making a bit of a resurgence and the idea of “buying” in to the market is good if you find that the store provides you with enough of what you want.  Most don’t require you to be a member but the prices might differ.  Be careful of the membership information as some ask you to volunteer a certain amount of time and if you are pressed for time this might not be a good option.  The co-op in Providence (new and exciting for sure) does not require you to be a member, and if you do join the option can be spread out over a number of years.  https://urbangreens.com/  I also like to buy in bulk and South coast bulk foods provides me with what I need.  They do deliver and you can shop on line. https://southcoastbulkfoods.com/ . The Green Grocer in Portsmouth is more of a full service grocery store, and offers pre made meals, spices, and items you need for your pantry.  Everything here is not “local” but it is chosen because of its quality; the reality is that it is not sustainable to have a store like this with only local products.

Too busy to shop We have been seduced by the limitless hours that grocery stores are open and can easily fit a visit into any schedule, not so for the farmers markets. There are other options though that are gaining favor in this area.  On line shopping is an option many farmers and local business are buying into.  In some cases, you can order and pick up on your own at certain places, or have your food delivered (for a fee for sure.  Pats Pastured (meat and eggs), and Fully Rooted (raw cold-pressed juice & kombucha) have both a pick-up option and home delivery. – And of course, in this day and age what would this world be if we didn’t have an app-Strongly recommend you check out the app What’s Good. https://sourcewhatsgood.com/  Pick up options are located throughout the state, and some local companies have become pick up sites for their employees.  Home delivery is also an option.  Not only is this app growing in popularity and products, if you leave the state the app uses your location to let you know where there are farmer’s markets and stands for you to visit.

Shifting your patterns to shop local for your food it a time-consuming effort, one that you might have to take on gradually, but options are expanding and in doing so the excuse that you can’t do it are becoming less valid.  In my next post I will share some of how I evolved into my patterns, which might help spark some change for yourself.