Local Farm Fresh Produce

There is no doubt that local produce tastes better than food that has been trucked across the nation or flown in from other countries. Fruits and vegetables that were picked within a day, rather than a week or more, retain more nutrients and flavor, and have more eye appeal.

While most supermarkets offer a small amount of locally grown produce in season, you still may not be getting the food at its freshest. Many of those products have passed through the hands of a distributor and may be days old.

A way to ensure getting the freshest and tastiest produce available is to buy directly from the farmer. When you buy direct, more money goes back to the farmers, enabling them to continue producing great-tasting food for the region. Not only does this strengthen the local economy, but it’s also great for the environment. Smaller farms are more sustainable than big monocultures. Many smaller farms are organic or at least limit their use of chemical pest controls and fertilizers.

Smaller farms are also able to produce specialty products that you won’t find anywhere else.

So, how do you get your hands on good local produce direct from the farmer?

One of the easiest ways is to visit one of the many farmers markets that dot Snohomish County during the growing season. The benefit of a farmers market is that many growers and vendors offer their wares in a single place. That means consumers have a wider choice of goods, all really fresh.

“Some of the produce is picked that very day,” said longtime Everett Farmers Market owner Inger Hutton.

Growers bring their best products to a farmers market. This is not only because of the friendly competition with their fellow growers, but also because they know that it’s the place where chefs and serious foodies prowl for the most delicious fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products.

Neil Landaas is the manager at Edmonds Museum Summer Market. He grows a flavorful tomato that is in such huge demand they are always sold out within two hours of the market opening.

“If you’re a foodie and you want the best stuff, you need to be there when the market opens,” Landaas said.

But farmers markets aren’t limited to just produce. You’ll also find baked goods, handicrafts, flowers and plants. They are often the venue for master gardener clinics where you can get answers to perplexing plant problems for free. Sometimes they feature entertainment as well.

There’s nothing new about the concept of a farmers market. This sales format has been around for hundreds of years but recently there has been a big surge in their popularity. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), there has been a 6.8 percent increase in the number of operating farmers markets since 2006.

AMS Administrator Lloyd Day suggested this was not only due to consumers discovering how much better fresh produce is, but also that they like an opportunity to talk with the farmers and find out how their food is grown. They’re concerned about health, the environment, and preserving resources.

“Purchasing local produce saves millions of gallons of gasoline that would be used by 18 wheelers driving the produce for thousands of miles,” said Mukilteo Farmers Market representative Cherri Paul. That means less pollution and saving oil.

A unique alternative to farmers markets that is becoming more popular is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). It’s a way for consumers to buy a seasonal share in a farm’s harvest so they always have fresh produce throughout the growing season.

CSA shares or subscriptions are paid in advance. Then, during the growing season, the consumer receives a box of farm fresh produce each week. Details on cost, delivery and contents vary from farm to farm but the basics are the same.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the number of CSA opportunities in the U.S. jumped from an estimated 60 total operations nationwide in 1990 to approximately 1,100 operations by 2006.

This number has no doubt skyrocketed since 2006 due to increased awareness and the demand for better food. Right now there are more than 20 participating CSA farms in Western Washington alone. Some of these are right here in Snohomish County.

CSA farms offer brilliantly fresh produce and also give consumers the opportunity to meet the people who grow their food. Most CSA subscriptions begin this month, so it’s a perfect time to sign up.

Of course you don’t have to buy into a CSA to get good local produce right at the farm. A large number of local farms welcome consumers to come and buy on site.

These can be in the form of a farm stand or as a U-pick operation.

A new organization called the Red Rooster Route identifies several small family farms in the Arlington area that offer fresh food as well as fun family activities. Their Web site, www.redroosterroute.com, also offers money-saving coupons to encourage consumers to try local fruit, vegetables and meats.

There is a common misconception about local produce and farmers market produce. Many people believe it is considerably cheaper than the supermarket. This can lead to disappointment. Usually, the price is a little lower. Sometimes it is the same. One of the reasons is that local farmers have to recoup various fees usually taken on by a distributor.

“The farmers have the cost of getting to the market, they have the cost of licenses, there are health department permit costs,” Landaas said.

Organic farmers also have added certification fees. The quality of their product, however, is so much higher that consumers get far better value for their dollar.

If you would like to learn more about local farmers markets and farm events, see www.snohomishmarkets.com or www.snohomish.org and click on events/ongoing events/farmers markets.

A comprehensive overview of local farms, CSA opportunities, natural markets, restaurants using sustainable produce and more is available from www.localharvest.org. You can also pick up a free 2009 Puget Sound Farm Guide from local farmers markets, farm stands, nurseries or health food stores, or download one directly from www.pugetsoundfresh.org.