With all the recalls for eggs and processed foods lately, it’s becoming obvious that the safest route to ensuring you are eating healthy fresh foods is by purchasing locally. For some metropolitan and rural areas, that’s hard to come by. But in Cleveland, OH and Richmond, VA., several groups are trying to bring the Farmer’s Market to you.
Courtesy of FarmtoFamilyonline.com
Virginia-based Farm to Family drives its large converted school bus to neighborhoods that can’t easily access fresh produce. Their slogan? “Feeding the Community one stop at a time.” Conceptually, it’s a pretty remarkable service as it introduces people, who might not have the opportunity to shop anywhere but a mega-chain grocer, to fresh sustainably-farmed vegetables and fruits while also accepting food stamps.
Fresh Fork Market is also trying to deliver farmer-fresh goodness to Cleveland, OH locals and offer the ability to order online via myfreshfork.com. They also offer a network for farmers and restaurants and provide regional drop-off locations – essentially organizing to make getting local produce to consumers, faster.
A few other similar services have popped up in other areas, specifically in Seattle, where Full Circle Farms, an organic farm and produce delivery service, cultivates and distributes their sustainable and organic food to subscribing members and the general public. For Seattle residents, delivery of a standard-sized box starts at $35 per week and includes such delights as Arugula (Greens), Snap Peas, English Peas, Spinach, Bunched Carrots, Green Chard, Rainbow Chard, Mixed Baby Lettuce, Raspberries, Yellow Onions, Farmer’s Choice Of Lettuce, Roma Tomatoes, White Sweet Corn, Apricots, Peaches, Cherries and Valencia Oranges. Not too shabby for $35.
They’re frequently seen on Groupon and deliver to Washington and Alaska residents.
Similarily, Seattle residents are offered another grocery delivery service – Amazon Fresh. While millions of products are eligible for delivery, shoppers can select the “local” tag and only purchase products produced locally. We hear from our Seattle team that fruit quality can be so-so at times, though.
Would you be interested if either types of services were in your area?
What other things can we do as grocery shoppers to know we are putting quality food in our bodies?
Send us your thoughts: info (at) consumerbell (dot)com
