On Buying From Local Farms

So you are thinking of buying from a local farm, fabulous! Most people enjoy buying from a local farmer and developing a relationship, versus the mass anonymity of the grocery store. Before you make that first trip to the farm, there are some things you should know, to make it a more enjoyable experience for you and the farmer. 

1. You are getting a far higher quality product than you can get at the grocery store
2. You have the opportunity to see how and where the animals were raised and ask questions. Most farms are even willing to give tours if you ask nicely. 
3. Expect to pay more. For one, you are getting a better product from a local source. Second, small farmers lack the economies of scale to keep costs down. Third, our animals take longer to grow because we do not push them, and while it takes longer and is more expensive, we know it is better for the animals, the environment and it simply tastes better. 
4. Did you know that a lot of foods were intended to be seasonal? Chickens slow down on the number of eggs they lay as daylight decreases. Lamb is typically available in Fall/Winter because lambs are born in the Spring. While grocery stores source from all over the world,  so seasons do not seem to exist. Local farms tend to only sell what they grow, or perhaps source from neighboring farms. So not everything they will raise will be available year round. Especially for those of us farming in cold climates.
5. The selection will not be as broad as the grocery store. Part of this goes back to the seasonality of food and farming. The other part is we simply do not have the room or the volume to offer every variation there is. 
6.  Farms are often run by a single individual or family, meaning one person is wearing a lot of hats.  I can start the day with morning chores, do some social media marketing, go build a fence, run the shop and finish the day with some business planning. Just because I have the ability to do everything does not necessarily mean that I am the best at it or can even find the hours in the day to fit it all in. Be patient with us, we are trying to do everything, and can’t do everything perfectly. 

I really hope this post gives you the push you need to try shopping at a local farm. Grocery stores are so large that one more or less customer is hardly noticed. But an extra customer stopping at a local farm can make their entire week. Without your continued support we wouldn’t be able to heal the Earth, nourish your family or do a job we love. Thank you. ​

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Ready to shop at a local farm? Check out our on farm shop!

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