We’d like to invite you to make a positive impact by utilizing this database to connect with and support your local farms. The most effective way to contribute is by purchasing directly from these farms. Did you know that, on average, farmers receive only around 15 cents for every dollar spent at a grocery store? At the same time, our farms are facing significant challenges. Your support can make a real difference in helping them thrive.

So, if you can, the best thing to do is cut out the middleman and buy directly from the farm. You’ll be able to see where your food comes from, talk to the people who grow it, and strengthen your local community.

The next best thing you can do, if you can’t visit the farm to buy directly, is to buy their products at your local grocery store. Let the store know that you appreciate them carrying local products and that it’s something you specifically shop for.

If you notice a lack of local products on the shelves at your nearby stores, we ask that you to take action. Consider reaching out to the Produce Manager or, even better, the Store Manager. Share your concerns about the distance your food travels, the conditions of its growth, and the importance of supporting small and medium-sized farms and ranches. They may give you a long list of excuses of why they will not or can not carry those farms and ranches products, but it’s usually just a matter of convenience for the store. It’s okay to ask stores to go the extra mile by featuring local and smaller farms and ranches.

Despite potential resistance, it’s crucial to advocate for these changes. Over the past decade many local farms and ranches have faced financial challenges, often due to being overlooked in favor of products from larger agricultural operations. Let’s not allow this trend to continue in our communities. For the overall economic health of our stores and the larger community, including farmers and ranchers that live and work just a few miles away from where we shop is essential. Together, we can make a positive impact on the sustainability and success of our local food producers.