There’s a local food revolution going on. We’re reversing a decades-old trend of mass produced food trucked in from thousands of miles away in favor of locally produced foods. It’s never been easier (in most of our lifetimes) to access locally grown and produced foods as well as naturally raised meats. There’s more work to be done, and we’ll get there. We salute the Maine farmers, producers and proprietors who are leading the charge.
Community supported agriculture, fisheries & kitchens
CSA memberships continue to grow in popularity. They are a great way to support local farms and find a constant supply of fresh, seasonal produce. In exchange for your purchase of a “share,” you receive an allotment of the produce that is harvested each week, which you pick up from a central location or direct from the farm. You can even buy a share in a community supported fishery for a supply of fresh, local seafood or a share in a community supported café for an allotment of freshly made meals whenever you need them. It’s a win-win-win for the farmer, the consumer and the community. The farmer gets guaranteed buyers, shareholders get a great price on a season’s worth of produce and local land is preserved as a working farm. Because shareholders receive whatever is in season, you may be introduced to foods you would not otherwise buy. Many CSAs provide recipes and suggestions on how to prepare the items delivered each week as well as opportunities to participate at the farm. Visit www.mofga.org.
Winter CSAs & markets
Relatively new on the scene is a crop of winter CSAs that provide access to local foods throughout the winter, including vegetables, meats and more! For a list of winter markets, visit www.mofga.org.
