Have you checked out LocalHarvest.org?

To me, there’s nothing better than fresh produce that comes straight from the farm. It often costs a bit more than what you buy from your the chain grocery, but unlike the price variance between Wal-Mart and H.E.B., Safeway, Randall’s or Kroger’s the difference is worth it.

For one, I know who I am supporting. I’m supporting that person, that person right there who handed over my produce and took my money with hands that have rich dirt still permanently embedded in their cuticles. I’m supporting them, and the cute tow-headed kid who’s counting my change on his fingers and wearing a money apron that’s four sizes too big because he’s out helping Mom and Dad with the family business.

I also know what I am supporting. Often the things you buy at a farmer’s market are organic, which is part of the price. You can always tell by the fact that you’ll find a couple of bug-gnawed leaves, or it may be oddly shaped. I’m supporting sustainable practices that don’t destroy the earth we’re taking our sustenance from. In the case of the Pearl Farmer’s Market I’m supporting less pollution from shipping as everything there comes from within 150 miles. I know that under 100 is ideal, but in Texas we’re fairly spread out.

I often buy produce from farmer’s markets and I find that it stays fresh either on the cabinet or in my refrigerator for many days longer than produce bought at a grocery store. This is probably not too surprising as most of it was likely picked the day before. It’s usually quite gorgeous, too. I even got my husband to eat beets recently due to the product being so pristinely cleaned and displayed in such an appetizing cornucopia of produce.

It’s for all of these reasons I was very happy to come across LocalHarvest.org. By putting in your zipcode you can get a list of local “farmer’s markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area.” They also have a catalog, which seems a bit contradictory, but it can get you started growing your own garden with things such as heirloom tomatoes and varieties of vegetable and fruit seeds you just don’t find at Lowe’s or Home Depot. There’s plenty of other small-producer items as well. I just found dried unsweetened cherries, with free shipping even. Unfortunately I can’t think of a use for four pounds of them, because the price undercuts even SunHarvest on a per-pound basis by quite a bit.

Right now we are at the beginning peak of fresh produce, and the best of the best is going to be at your local farmer’s market. Sure, you’ll have to get up early as most start at 9am, if not earlier, but the trip is worth it and it’s a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning. Most, but not all, are on weekends of course, but you can often find one or two that run during the middle of the week. Just be sure to get there early! Most farmer’s markets close by noon, or earlier if the vendors sell out!