Buying local produce (one approach)

Wed, 06/16/2010 - 11:30am — Josh Gentry

I've been thinking for awhile that it would be good to buy local produce. My wife, who buys most of the groceries, already goes to 2 stores each week, and asking her to go to a third would probably not be good for my health. I'm lazy and I don't like driving places, or, well, leaving my home. So if buying local produce means making a special trip to a growers' market on the weekend, it is unlikely I'll do it. Lame, but true.

A discussion of local food on the AIBA Facebook page got me thinking about this again. My friend Ben said he had a similar problem, and that maybe Los Poblanos was the answer. "Los Poblanos," I thought. "What's that?" Turns out its a lot of things, but especially its an organic farm. They have a Harvest Box Program. You join and once a week (or every other week) you pick up your box of local, organic produce. You can pick it up at the farm, but there are several other pickup points. Turns out one is very near my work place. Bingo. On my way home from work I can swing by and pick up my box. I don't have to spend time picking out produce, I don't have to leave my home an extra time. Perfect for me. I just signed up for the minimum 4 weeks, to try it out.

This is just one approach to buying local food. Obviously its not for everyone. You might not like the lack of choice. For me the convenience is worth it, but you might be less lazy. Never fear, there are plenty of other options for you. Check out the AIBA Facebook page for ideas and resources for buying local food.