Lovin' the Local

I love farmers markets in the summer. When we lived in Washington state, we became regulars of the Tacoma Farmers Market. Each week, there was music and crafts, homemade baked goods and of course, fresh produce. I discovered my deep love of Rainier cherries at that market and will have to go back at some point in my lifetime just to buy a few more pounds of those heavenly things.

Now in Virginia, these fresh markets still abound but this year my family is trying something new. Thanks to great advice from a savvy friend, we have bought in to a harvest share program at Retreat Farm in Rapidan, only about five minutes from our house. For $20 a week (which is less than I pay for weekly produce at the grocery store) we can select just-picked foods that are organic, in-season, and local. How great is that? From the familiar carrots, tomatoes, and raspberries to the less known broccoli raab, sorrel (huh?) and pac choi, this farm-to-go program has just what we want. Our family even decided to purchase an additional share that we will deliver and prepare weekly for the homeless shelter in our town. Everyone deserves good food.

Want to know if your city does a harvest share program? Just click here to see where participating farms are located in your area.


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