Digest for Week-endng 18 June 2011

Here in New England, the growing season is in full swing and there are lots of ways to take advantage of the local produce and hand-crafted goods. This week’s posts explore ideas for getting to know your farms and how to experience all that they have to offer.

Sustainably Eating Seafood

Similar to CSA’s, if you’re living near the water, you may have the opportunity to invest in Community Supported Fisheries.

A Virtual Farmer’s Market

A company here in Connecticut allows you to purchase online from over one hundred farms in the state and will deliver your order to your door!

Dining Close to the Source

Many farms are getting more involved with their consumers by offering dinners on location featuring some of their bounty.

Pick and Choose

Check with your local farms because some offer the choice to pick much more than just berries and apples.

Farm Fresh Cooking

What better atmosphere to learn how to cook than right on the farm?

Know Where Your Food is Coming From

The idea of organic versus conventional is much more complicated than you may realize. Knowing your farmer and how they cultivate their crops to make informed decisions about what you’re eating.

A Virtual Farmer's Market

Yesterday I talked about joining a Community Supported Fishery, or CSF to help support local fisheries, to eat locally, and to contribute to the sustainability of fish and seafood populations. A couple of years ago, I discovered a neat business that I have yet to try out, but I wanted to mention it for anyone interested.

It’s called Connecticut Farm Fresh Express. Their site features foods that are locally grown and raised on Connecticut farms as well as artisan products. Most of the items can be found at one or more of the many farmer’s markets throughout the state, however since many people don’t have the opportunity to travel around, they miss out on what their fellow residents are crafting.

Orders can be placed from the site from over 100 participating farms and the items are home-delivered. I was actually very excited to see Nate’s Naturals, a brand of granola made by some friends in New Haven, available on the site.

And unlike a CSA box, you can order exactly what you want, in the quantity you want, for whichever weeks you would like it. You can order year round as well. If you’re not living in Connecticut, you can also check the Local Harvest Store. You can search over 10,000 items by farm (when in season if applicable) throughout the country, so if you’re trying to buy locally, you can choose farms in your state.

Thankfully, supporting small farms is getting easier...