Finding Healthy and Local Food to Help Us Thrive in the New Normal

(Note: I keep updating this post. Scroll down for a list for specific resources. And check back for updates.)

Was it when I spotted a lone bag of frozen sliced peaches jammed against the rear wall of the otherwise barren freezer case at the grocery store? Or when my neighbor reported that there’s no fresh chicken to be found? Or when I tried to place an online order from Whole Foods and upon checkout learned that there were no delivery slots available? All of these experiences contributed, but when I kept refreshing my browser in the hope of scoring an opening in grocers’ delivery schedules, I realized that food anxiety had fully set in. Would my family have adequate food in the coming days, weeks, and months?

My thoughts have been drifting back to the Berkeley Bowl market in northern California, with its eye-popping abundance of food across every category. I was there only a couple weeks ago, but it seems like a feverish dream.

We’re all in the same boat of trying to adjust to the new reality and the need to maintain social distance as a result of coronavirus. Supermarkets are unable to keep up with the spike in demand. At the same time, most farmers’ markets have abruptly closed. It’s unclear how they will adjust operations going forward. The spate of bad news gets more dire by the day. But after doing some research, I’m excited to share with you the good news: There are numerous options for getting really good food—fresh and local—without leaving home!

It’s great that many restaurants are shifting to prepared meals for delivery or takeout. But my interest and focus in this post is on ways to keep your refrigerator and pantry stocked with flavorful, healthy, and locally sourced ingredients. And to do so safely (with a minimum of contact points) and stress-free (without fretful trips to stores after trying to predict when they’ll be uncrowded).

Independent farmers and local producers are coming up with innovative ways to get their food directly to customers. Farmers To You, based in Vermont, has been offering the service for several years. Other small farms have pivoted away from selling to restaurants, schools, and farmers’ markets and are quickly retooling to deliver directly to consumers. Josh Jennings of Meadow’s Mirth farm in Stratham, NH, and founder of Three River Farmers Alliance, says that farmers have excess capacity now that many of their customary channels of distribution are gone. “The food will go bad if there’s no way to get it to people. We never intended to be in the home delivery business, but we feel that we have to do it. People need our food. We want to help our community survive.”

Loading up delivery trucks (Photo courtesy of Farmers To You)

The problem is not so much a shortage of food. The problem is distribution channels that are mismatched to the current reality. But that’s changing fast. Options for sourcing local food are, by definition, region-specific. In the Boston area where I live, these are some services that I’ve found. I’m trying out several immediately:

Mass Food Delivery is a small group of farmers in western Mass. who have banded together to get their produce straight to consumers. Order deadline is Sunday night. Delivery available throughout most of the state, except Cape Cod and the Islands. Currently the delivery fee is being waived with the code FARMERS at checkout.

Farmers to You is a consortium of over 80 farmers and local producers, mostly in Vermont, offering superb quality of meats, veggies, fish, milk, cheeses, eggs, breads, and more.  Online orders placed by Sunday are delivered to pick-up sites in Boston & Vermont, or directly to homes in the Boston area. There’s no sign-up fee or minimum order although they prefer a minimum purchase of $40. Pick up at drop-off points is free; home delivery is $12.

Veggie-Go is part of Three River Farmers Alliance with 40 affiliated farmers and local producers in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. They used to deliver only to restaurants and schools, but now they’re offering home delivery. Online orders are accepted until Thursday night for deliveries on Saturday or Sunday depending on location.  $7 delivery fee, $15 min order.

Mercato offers delivery from smaller, specialty food purveyors. Enter your zip code and find participating stores near you. There’s an initial promotion of a 14-day free trial basis. After that, accounts are billed annually and the price depends on the delivery range. I’ve heard multiple reports of unreliable delivery. They, like others, are struggling to keep up with the surge of demand.

Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods are grocery delivery businesses that aim to eliminate food waste by rescuing so-called “ugly produce.” We’ve been brainwashed to expect perfection and uniformity in the shape of produce we buy. But fruits and veggies don’t have to look beautiful to taste great. These aren’t hyper-local alternatives because they source broadly, but they’re a good option for those looking for delivery and willing to overlook a few blemishes. Choose the size & type of box that’s right for you, then sign up for a subscription that’s delivered on a weekly or biweekly basis. Easy to pause or cancel subscriptions.

Market 2day app is a shopping service that aggregates orders and fills them at farmers’ markets. Currently they are procuring goods at a farm in Cohasset, Mass., and a newly formed virtual farmers’ market that’s otherwise restricted to the public, and then delivering in metro Boston and the South Shore. Founder Insa Elliott explains that the mission is to expand the reach of farmers’ markets for busy people and to provide better access to local food. They are adapting to the increased demand for home deliveries. 10% service fee plus a delivery fee which is reduced to $4 through the end of March. Order deadline 2 days prior to market day.

Boston Organics was an early pioneer of aggregating organic produce and distributing CSA-like shares where you choose the size of box to meet your needs. You don’t get to specify the order, but you will receive a seasonal selection and can add some other grocery items. There are no fees and free delivery.

M.F. Dulock Pasture-Raised Meats in Somerville, Massachusetts, is a neighborhood butcher shop that sources livestock from small farms within a 250-mile radius. The meats are free of hormones and haven’t been previously frozen. Now doing online orders and curbside pick-up.

Copicut Farms in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, offers home delivery to the greater Boston area of their farm-raised chicken, pork, beef, and eggs. I can say from firsthand experience that the quality is excellent. They will accommodate one-time purchases or recurring deliveries in a range of sizes and meat combinations.

Stillman Quality Meats, based in Hardwick, Mass., is another option for pasture-raised beef and pork, poultry, eggs, as well as charcuterie, house-smoked items, and meat pies. Their delivery zone covers Boston through central Massachusetts. Order deadline is Tuesday midnight for delivery Thurs.  Delivery minimum $50, delivery fee of $12. Free delivery for orders over $100.

Kate’s Table. A highly respected full-service caterer has shifted to preparing individual meals for curbside pick-up or delivery. This female-owned and operated catering service is based in Hingham, Mass, and provides its excellent food to a wide area. Voted “Best Caterer” by Boston Magazine in 2019.

Family dinner falls somewhere between a farm CSA and meal delivery but without apportioned ingredients. Customers select from omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, paleo, and build-your-own meals, with choices of whole share (serves 2-4), half share (serves 1-2 people) or double share (4-6). A typical omnivore share includes fruits & veggies, proteins, dairy or eggs, grains, and treats. Home deliveries are Saturday or Tuesday.

Forage is a neighborhood bistro in Cambridge, Mass., that has teamed up with their farmer suppliers to create a pop-up CSA. This is an example of the creativity that’s happening, by necessity, in the food service industry.

EdibleBoston’s list of local food establishments with information on how to obtain food and support these business during the crisis. The list isn’t in alphabetical order and somewhat challenging to navigate, but a handy reference nonetheless.

(Note that supply, delivery days, order deadlines, and fees are subject to change. Check details on the websites for the most up-to-date info.)

Look at all those options! It cheers me up just looking at the list, and I’ll feel even better once I start receiving the orders that I’ve placed.

Many of those who follow my blog cannot avail themselves of these options because they live outside of Boston. I suggest hopping online right away to research options in your own area. Visit your local farmers’ market website and get information about how to source from their vendors.  For example, the Somerville Winter Farmers Market is doing a terrific job of keeping the community updated and linked to its regular vendors. Go to your local markets’ websites and sign up for email newsletters to keep current.

Here’s what else you need to know:

Shifting to food deliveries from local farms and producers requires changes in behavior. Most significantly, plan ahead! What food will we need, and when? Order deadlines are several days before delivery. Granted, it’s not as convenient as going to a grocery store at the drop of a hat. But I certainly don’t want to go to stores now and besides their stock shortages are rampant.

It’s more expensive, but worth it. There’s a reason that grocery store prices are low. Supermarkets pay farmers paltry amounts—and also dock them for food that doesn’t sell. We must support local farms and producers! This is a make-or-break moment. They exist on extremely tight margins, and many are facing the real possibility of financial ruin. The pricing of these services helps ensure the vitality of the farms, as well as the quality, freshness, and deliciousness of our food. If you wince at the checkout total, remind yourself that you’re making an investment in your family’s health and also that of local farmers and their families. Jess Bloomer, the market manager of Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market says “If we want the local food system to survive, we need to buy from local producers right now. For those who have been thinking about eating more locally and have the money to do it, now is the time to try it out.”

It’s safer. There are fewer points of touch since the food is coming from the farmer to you. No telling how many hands have made contact with food at traditional grocers and supermarkets, but for sure the answer is many. Greg Georgaklis, founder of Farmers To You, estimates that supermarket food goes through 5- 6 touches in the journey from producers to shelves, and then twice more with the customer and the cashier. Who knows how many other hands have made contact with the items that end up in your cart. By contrast, the food offered through these services have had radically fewer contact points because it’s coming straight from the farmer to the packer to you. Also, you can trust the food because you know where it is coming from. Ordering websites are transparent with information about their participating farmers and producers. Here’s an article that addresses questions about food safety. This video suggests how to handle the food and packaging that we bring into our homes to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Be generous. Be kind. Many people are suffering. Some of these services are offering easy ways to help those in need get food on their tables. Look for donation opportunities on online order forms, such as the option to cover the delivery cost to those who receive SNAP benefits.

Start NOW! Don’t delay. Farmers need our support now. Our families need healthy food now. We need to stay in now and most likely for weeks ahead. So, get online and try at least one of the services to give it a whirl. You’ll be better prepared for later. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to submit your orders. Demand for these items is rising fast.

Be patient. In the short span between drafting this post and publishing it, availability has shifted. If you can’t place an order immediately, then get on the waitlist.

Do not despair. There are options for getting healthy and delicious food without leaving home. It’s obviously a time of great uncertainty, but the services that I’ve outlined are examples of win-win-win for consumers, farmers and local producers, and the environment.

Please share this information with others. If you’re on Facebook groups or parenting sites or neighborhood resource sites, feel free to post it. Thanks for helping to spread the word.

Here’s my motto:  Stay healthy. Stay kind. Stay home!    ~Marjorie

Rogers Farmstead in Berlin, VT (photo courtesy of Farmers To You)

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