Discover where food comes from around you.
The grocery store isn't your only food source. Let's find out what's growing, raised or produced near you.
Your saved local food sources will collect here — a market, a farm, an egg producer. One at a time is fine.
Know Your Local Food System
Learn where food is grown, raised and produced around you — and how to buy it directly.
- 01Understand Seasonal FoodLearn what your own region actually produces, month by month.8 minOffline
- 02Understand a CSAHow buying a share of a farm's season works, and who it suits.7 minOffline
- Learn How to Buy Directly From a Farm Companion+Farm pickup, pre-orders, bulk buys and how to ask.9 minOffline
- Build Relationships With Local Producers Companion+Regular faces get first pick, real answers and better food.7 minOffline
- Create Your Personal Local Food Network Companion+Several sources across produce, eggs, meat and staples.10 minOffline
Autumn
It's autumn on the calendar. What's actually being harvested near you depends on your climate, growing zone, this year's weather and how each grower produces.
- · Ask at the market: "What did you harvest this week?" — the most reliable answer there is.
- · Look at what several growers have a lot of. Abundance means it's in season.
- · Check your state or regional agriculture extension service for a local harvest calendar.
- · Notice what changes month to month. One season of paying attention teaches you your area.
Off-Grid Companion won't publish a universal produce calendar. Seasonality varies too much by region, climate and growing method for a single list to be true.
Six things that make the first visit easy.
Food knowledge comes from people. These six questions get you further than any label.
- “What did you harvest recently?”
- “What's especially good right now?”
- “How do you recommend cooking this?”
- “How should I store it?”
- “Do you sell anywhere else during the week?”
- “Do you offer a CSA or farm pickup?”
If something is everywhere at your market, it grows well where you live. That's usually a good thing to try growing yourself.
- “Where can I find local eggs?”
- “What is a CSA?”
- “What should I ask at a farmers market?”
- “How do I know what's in season?”
- “What's the difference between a farm stand and a farmers market?”
- “Can I buy directly from a farmer?”