USA - MARYLAND: Local Farmers Work Together To Sell Produce With Online Ordering And Delivery

OAKLAND — Local fresh produce from a variety of local farms is now available for purchase online through the Garrett Growers Online Ordering System.

Individuals can order from the website and pick up at one of several locations throughout the county.

The online local fresh produce ordering system is one of the services provided by Garrett Growers to connect participating local agricultural farms with consumers.

Garrett Growers is a farmer’s cooperative located in Garrett County.

Currently participating farms include DeBerry Farm Fresh Produce, A.L.L. Produce, Naaman Miller Farm, Fawn Valley Farm, Whistle Pig Farm, Fred Petersheim Farm, Yoder’s Tomatoes, Lynndale Produce, Philip Schrock Farm, Jay Maust Farm, Backbone Food Farm, David & Martha Yoder Farm, Punky’s Place, Simon Yoder Eggs and Stemple Brothers Farm.

“The goal of Garrett Growers is to feed our community, help our farmers and protect agricultural land in the county,” said Hannah Frazee, one of the coordinators for Garrett Growers. “By opening up an online store, we can give individuals the convenience of being able to purchase fresh, local produce from our area farms anytime through their computer or mobile phone. This is extremely important for individuals who find it difficult to get to a produce market or who may be avoiding crowds due to COVID.”

Pickup is available on Thursday afternoons each week throughout the summer. Individuals can order online any time up until 3 p.m. on Wednesday for that Thursday’s pick-up.

Pickup locations include: University of Maryland Extension Office in Mtn. Lake Park; Deep Creek Pharmacy in McHenry; Firefly Farms Creamery & Market in Accident; and High Country Creamery and Market in Grantsville.

Other services offered by Garrett Growers include an ordering and delivery service of local produce for restaurants, grocery stores, caterers and institutions along with a weekly Veggie Box program.

According to Frazee, individuals who would prefer home delivery can purchase a Veggie Box on the same online ordering system.

Veggie Boxes can be home delivered as long as the residence is within the delivery radius. Residents can check to see if they live on the delivery route by emailing Garrett Growers at garrettgrowers@gmail.com.

“Some of the same challenges that have affected other industries because of the pandemic have also affected local farm sales, so it is more important than ever to support local agriculture,” said Frazee. “Fresh produce is often healthier because of the shorter time between picking and purchase, so the vegetables and fruits retain more nutrients. Plus, the one thing I generally hear is how much better local, fresh produce tastes. But something else that does not receive as much focus is the fact that local food production strengthens the local economy and helps to protect our local agricultural land. There are just so many benefits to purchasing local produce.”

For more information about Garrett Growers and the online ordering system, individuals can visit the co-op website at www.garrettgrowers.com or email garrettgrowers@gmail.com.

For information about other farms selling local products or to find a farm to visit, check out www.GarrettFarms.org.

Lead photo: Jacob “Jake” Hauser, delivery driver for Garrett Growers, stands in front of one of the delivery vehicles. Photo by Hannah Frazee