In the depths of the pandemic lock-down, independent and small-scale farmers suffered deeply as outlets for their goods scaled back or shut down entirely. There were reports of thousands of pounds of unsold produce rotting in fields while grocery store shelves remained empty, and tanks of perfectly drinkable milk being dumped down the drain.
Amidst the uncertainty, Local Food Hub, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to fresh, locally grown food, created a drive-through farmers market to safely reconnect growers to the community.
“Hey, wait a minute! We know all of these local farms,” says LFH Communications Director Portia Boggs about coming up with the idea. “We know this community. We can connect them.”
Since the spring of 2020, Local Food Hub operated the drive-through market on Wednesday and Friday to great success. One of the format’s strengths is its online, pre-ordering system. Shoppers know exactly what they’re getting and vendors know how much food to prepare, which cuts down on waste and allows people to place their orders while literally looking in their pantry.
“Farmers can guarantee that they will have what you want in advance,” says Boggs. “Since our market is pre-order only, there is zero waste for them, and that is something they really appreciate.”
Local Food Hub also covers all costs associated with running the market through a combination of grant and individual donations, allowing vendors to take home 100 percent of their sales. “It’s a really big deal for them,” says Boggs. “During COVID, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that most of our vendors were dependent on the drive-through market to just be able to survive as a business. This market is living proof of the power of local food systems.”
For the winter season, LFH will be open only one day a week. However, there will be a special one-off Everything But The Bird market on Wednesday, November 24, to give shoppers an opportunity to buy farm-fresh goods for their Thanksgiving dinner. With almost 800 different items from 46 vendors, the food hub is putting everything on the table.
For the full shopping experience, go to localfoodhub.org/market Pre-orders can be placed online at localfoodhub.luluslocalfood.com, and pickup is from 4 to 5:30pm at Seminole Square Shopping Center on your selected day. Here is a short list of highlights that will make your turkey day especially tasty.
Room for pie and sides
Here is a short list of market highlights that will make your turkey day especially tasty.
Caromont Farm cheese
The popular goat-cuddle haven is offering a cheese-and-more assortment box with a selection of three seasonal cheeses, crackers, and homemade jam or honey.
Bellair Farm
Acorn and spaghetti squashes that can be easily adapted to any recipe or used to create something brand new are at the top of Bellair’s fall specialties list.
Phantom Hill Farm
Phantom Hill returns to the market with its signature microgreen blends, which can add color, flavor, and nutrition to almost any dish. Or, if you prefer to do some growing at home, the farm offers a grow-your-own shiitake mushroom log. Keep it in a damp, shady area of your yard and reap the delicious rewards for four or more years.
Gathered Thread
The market does not sell turkey, but the poultry marinade packet from Gathered Thread includes basil, garlic scapes, oregano, thyme, summer savory, sage, and rosemary, which make for a fragrant, flavorful bird (or plant-based protein if you wish).
The Pie Chest
Offload some of the T-day stress by outsourcing your baking this year. Go rogue at The Pie Chest, where the cider-glazed pumpkin cake is a gourd idea.