It's Peak Local Produce Season
Linda Gallardo, Produce Manager
This season local produce is running a little early, a little late, and a little right on queue. This is typical for a summer growing season with local fruits and vegetables in the Driftless Region. Our unique area has many micro-climates with rolling hills, valleys and ridges. To give you the best quality, we bring in produce from each local grower when it is at its peak and ready for sale.
Direct to farm relaitonships is part our Co-op's commitment to growing the local food economy. When we say local, we mean 100 miles from our door. Throughout the year, we order produce from over 60 individual local farms. Some farms specialize in single items, some offer a variety of items seasonally, while others provide local products year round. During peak local produce season we receive as many as 40 deliveries a week.
To round out our mix we use large distributors. Some who offer local and regional products from farms we know. This is another important resource for our local farmers, especially those that don’t sell at a farmers market, through a CSA , or direct to our store. Instead, these farms pack and ship the majority of their crop to one place which enables them to sell larger quantities of produce to a wider market and to us, too!
September brings local organic apples and pears. With favorable growing conditions this year, we anticipate an abundant local harvest.
Our local farmers are feeling the imapct of higher fuel, labor and supply costs. As a result, you may notice that some local produce prices are slightly higher then the past few years.
Buying local goods supports your neighbors and strengthens our local economy. Whether you are wondering what's coming in fresh from our region or how to select the perfect local melon, our Produce Team is ready to serve you year round, seven days a week.
We'll see you at the Co-op!
Buying local supports your neighbors and stregthens our local economy. When we say local we mean 100 miles from our door.